Can you see me?

I’m wincing.

It’s a side effect.

You know, of Dingledorklosingthingsitus.  It’s a condition. Or maybe a disease.

I have it.

Bad.

Real bad. Which, is not good.

– x –

I was running around my house, grabbing stuff, putting stuff down, eating, typing, cooking, or whatever. I looked at my watch.  11:30 am.  Time to go get Soledad from pre-school.

I scoop up Phoebe, grab a sippy cup and strap her in the car.

I run inside grab an apple, my phone, and ummmm. . . .my keys.  Where are my keys?

Look on the bar. Nope.
Back in the car. Nuh-uh.

The clock is ticking. Let’s try Dining room.
Bedroom?
In un-made bed?
Under the bed.
Under the bed.
Under the bed.
Gosh, under the bed really seems like it should be a gold mine.
Under the bed.
Under the bed.

Damn. It’s 11:40.

Call husband. No answer.

Call neighbor.  She’s in the shower.  She’s rushing to throw clothes on to escort me to pick up my abandoned child at preschool.

I throw kid #4 in the back seat of neighbors car.  Husband calls.  Says to take baby out of neighbors car and he will pick up abandoned child.

I remove child from said car and think. . . .

My purse.  Did I check my purse?

My blasted keys were in my purse.

– – – – – –  – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Speaking of losing minds. . . .

My kids lost theirs when they walked into the house after a long day at school to the wafting smells of chocolate, brown sugar and roasted nuts.

“Oooooh something smells good” one murmurs.

And then when their little faces spy me in the kitchen with a big bowl of Chocolate Granola, I know that they don’t mind one bit that their Mama is losing her mind.

Because frankly, right about now they are sooo losing theirs.

Chocolate Granola with Pecans and Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
adapted and re-adapted, re-arranged and hydranged from Nigella Lawson
This is incredible.  And healthy.  And easy.  Perfect. Anyway You look at it.

4 1/2 cup of oatmeal (not quick cooking) otherwise known as Rolled Oats
1 cup roasted sunflower seeds
1/3  cup sesame seeds
3/4 cup  applesauce
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup honey
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
2 cups pecan pieces
1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons canola oil or sunflower oil

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 310 F.
2. In a large bowl combine all ingredients and mix well.
3. Drop mixture onto a baking sheet lined with a parchment paper or a silpat baking sheet.
4. Bake for 40 minutes or until granola has reached desired crispness, stirrring once at the halfway mark. Once done, remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.  Enjoy plain, on ice cream, yogurt, in a bowl of milk or whatever!!!!