The garden's abundance is glorious and, as any successful gardener knows, overwhelming. By late August, the labors of gardening have come to a rest, but the fruits of that labor bring a little more cooking and a little less adventuring than we would ultimately prefer. But, that's part of the life we have created! And, this is only the first year with the "big" garden...

I get very excited when I create a meal that uses a large portion of vegetable abundance. A favorite is to combine leftovers with other ingredients to create such a masterpiece as I did this morning and thought I would share...

Summer is going by so fast and we are racing the clock to grow, harvest, and put up food; get firewood cut and stacked for winter; continue to landscape; and enjoy our bounty and beautiful backyard. I take so many pictures and think of blog posts daily, but the reality of writing them in the moment is crazy!

We grow as much of our own food as possible to stock up our pantry and freezer for winter. We also like to see what we can make ourselves from bulk ingredients and spend less money at the grocery store while  reducing our reliance on modern consumerism and wasted materials in conventional packaging. A few weeks ago, instead of purchasing the high priced organic granola bars, I gathered up my bulk supplies and made a large batch of homemade granola bars that lasted us almost two weeks. Here's the recipe...

MitchaRachia Oatmeal Nut Granola Bars

2 cups oatmeal                                1/2 cup applesauce (can't wait to make our own this fall!)
1 cup buckwheat flour                    1/3 cup peanut butter
1 tsp baking soda                            4 tbs coconut oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon                            1/2 cup dried fruit (we used apples this time around)
1 cup honey/maple syrup             1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
1 egg                                                  1/4 cup sunflowers seeds

1.) Over to 350, coconut oil lather in 13x9x2-inch baking pan
2.) Combine oatmeal, flour, baking soda, cinnamon in medium bowl.
3.) Whisk honey/maple syrup (use either/or or a combo), applesauce, egg, peanut butter, and coconut oil in large bowl.
4.) Stir in flour mixture until just moist.
5.) Fold in dried fruit, hazelnuts and sunflower seeds.
6.) Spread in baking pan, smooth top.
7.) Bake 25 minutes, let cool before cutting into granola bar shape.

Greetings everyone!  In preparation for our  "Celebration of Life" party at the MitchaRachia Homestead, Rachel and I wanted to share a set list of songs that could be played by the rotating cast of musicians who will be rockin' the party. Get in touch with us if you are interested in playing in the band!

The idea is to play some more familiar songs earlier on in the day as there will be a variety of people coming who would really enjoy hearing some good old fashion rock/blues/pop music. As the night progresses,  the musicians will have more of a chance to perform originals, other unique cover songs, and to freely explore with each other. Below is the proposed set list.  Thanks and see everyone really soon...cheers! 




















SONG LIST
Possum- Phish
Wolfmans Brother- Phish
First Tube- Phish
Cavern- Phish
Wish You Were Here- Pink Floyd
Another Brick In The Wall- Pink Floyd
Breathe>On The Run- Pink Floyd
Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd
Down on The Corner- CCR
Bad Moon Rising- CCR
Midnight Special- CCR
Deal- Grateful Dead
Good Lovin- Grateful Dead
Althea- Grateful Dead
Shakedown Street- Grateful Dead
Box of Rain- Grateful Dead
Friend of The Devil- Grateful Dead
Truckin- Grateful Dead
Scarlet Begonias- Grateful Dead
Psycho Killer- Talking Heads
Girlfriend is Better- Talking Heads
Roadhouse Blues- The Doors
Teach Your Children- Crosby, Stills, Nash
Me and Julio Down by The School Yard- Paul Simon
Slip Sliding Away- Paul Simon
Norwegian Wood- The Beatles
Call Me Maybe- Carly Rae Jepsen
Party in the USA- Miley Cyrus
Good Times/Rapper's Delight- Sugar Hill Gang
Car Wash- Rose Royce
Get Lucky- Daft Punk