Pina Colada Irish Oats

The mornings are beginning to get wonderfully crisp now. Just enough that you don't have to bundle up yet, but you are not sweating at 7am either. I love this time of year. The sun is still shining and the birds are chattering away. Where I live somehow Canadian Geese have settled and fly over my house almost daily. It is amazing to have them flying so low that sometimes you can hear their wings and see the gorgeous colors of their feathers and their beautifully long necks stretched forward leading the way. It is the same as a dog in water, they go where their nose or beak points. It is sort of sad when there is a group and then 50 yards behind is a lone goose trying to catch up and honking for everyone to wait up. Every time they fly over I actually say 'thank you God'. What an amazing blessing to witness this treasure.

Okay, food finally.
I love a good oatmealraisinwalnutchocolatechip cookie, well 6 of them really, and warm with crispy edges straight out of the oven. But for hot cereal, regular oats? Never. Give me Irish Steel Cut Oatmeal. Chewy, earthy, actual food. Of course I add tons of terrible things to it, but I figure it balances out. Like drinking non fat milk with Hostess cupcakes. Mostly I eat it with butter, cream, dark brown sugar and toasted nuts which is my very favorite way, but I like to try a little variety sometimes.

This takes 30 minutes.
Get over it, you have to take a shower and start the coffee any ways.
Just make sure the heat is low before you leave it.

PINA COLADA OATS WITH MACADAMIA NUTS

1 c water
1/4 c Irish oats

This is what Irish Oats look like before cooking.

2 T dried pineapple, chopped
2 T macadamia nuts, chopped
2 T coconut, fresh or toasted


Better but not so healthy.
1 T butter
1 T brown sugar

In a small pan, bring the water to a boil.
Add oats, lower heat to med-low.

(not quite done)
Cook for 30 minutes.
You can also add the dried pineapple into the oats after the first 15 minutes instead of at the end.
Add toppings to your liking.


If you are like me, add a little (or a lot) butter and a bit (or a lot) of brown sugar if needed, I . See I said I add tons of stuff.

This is a really nice little breakfast, it is easy and will hold you over for quite a while.

Keep Calm And Carry On

Good advice in these stressful times.
Sort of pull yourself up by the bootstraps, but a little softer which we all need right now.

As I have said before, I follow a lot of cooking, entertaining and design blogs.
What a geek.

This, I believe is from a British World War 2 poster and it is everywhere. British seems to have a strong influence right now with crowns, the Union Jack, the Queen, etc., even replacing French a little. French is romantic, British is fun.
Any way, I like to change everything a little, paint, glitter, rearrange my house, frame, unframe, whatever.

When I made the glittered silhouettes I was so pleased. This project made me just as happy with the results. Again, easy and quick, but a little more money due to the crystal letters and such. So very girly and pretty though. It will be going to one of my daughters for her apartment. I am sure you could do a more manly version using different items.

SUPPLIES

5x7 frame, mine was $2 from Goodwill
Scrapbook paper, vibrant colors work best for the crystals to stand out
Crystal letters with sticky back, I needed 2 sheets, but here is what you will need because different companies provide different layouts
A x 3
C x 2
D x 1
E x 2
K x 1
L x 1
M x 1
N x 2
O x 1
P x 1
R x 2
Y x 1
Crystal crown with sticky back
Crystals in a color that match the scrapbook paper to replace if necessary, mine had 5 pink ones and they didn't work

Pencil
Scissors
Ruler, clear is best

Paint the frame if you want to in your choice of color.
Mark your cut on the scrapbook paper to fit in the frame, but don't cut yet.
Figure the layout of lines. I had 5 lines of words and 1 line for the crown.
Then on the outer edge of the piece you will be framing, mark the horizontal lines as a guide. Also at the outside edge again, top and bottom, mark your center guides.
Save the crown for last.
DOUBLE CHECK YOUR GUIDELINES! Remember, measure twice, cut once. In this case it is measure twice or repurchase everything and start over.
I started from the top and worked down which was easiest, using a ruler as my guide following the horizontal guidelines on the edges.
Also, work the the center and then out.
Before placing the crown, using craft or regular tweezers remove any colored crystals that don't work with your paper.
Place your crown, then using tweezers, place new crystals in the color of your choice.
Set in frame, I prefer without glass because the sparkles are so much prettier.
Ta daa!

This is how I made mine, but you could change anything to your liking. If you have bigger letters, then use a bigger frame. If you use darker letters then use lighter paper. I think cut black foam core with crystal letters set on a black plate stand would look great. You could use a metal crown, vintage gilded paper ephemera, look through the card supplies, scrap booking supplies, jewelry supplies, in your local craft store, thrift store, etc.. Think outside the box, make it personal and have fun.