Care-package Love...Homemade Cranberry Coconut Granola

My littlest sister is doing AMAZING things this summer. While most college students use summer as a time to take meaningless three-hour classes and lounge by the pool (*sheepishly raising hand...*), this fab gal is participating in Kaleo 2014--a nine week long discipleship opportunity that combines biblical study, leadership development, and gives her the skills to launch a ministry on her own campus. In her words--"we're learning how to study the Bible, share our faith, and witness God work in my life and others! Figuring out what making disciples looks like and how you would go about doing it. Basically the best summer of my life." All while holding down a full time, 40 hour a week job. She's basically my hero :) I'm so thankful that little C has so many strong, wonderful, talented aunts to look up to!

 While sister is I'm sure enjoying living in Panama City, FL for the summer, I thought a little care package would help her and her roomies feel a little bit closer to home. Her are my go to items to include in her package:

*Strawberry Liquorice from Trader Joe's (did y'all see my FB post about this last week?? So. Good.)
*Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels--her and her roomie will LOVE these!
*Nail Polish (something fun and girly for summer!)
*An assortment of random items from the dollar section at Target, hahahaha!

and the pièce de résistance...

*A bag of homemade Cranberry Coconut Granola! (recipe below...)

Homemade Cranberry Coconut Granola
(adapted slightly from Southern at Heart)

Ingredients:

5 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup sliced almonds

½ cup raw honey

½ cup dark brown sugar

1/3 cup water

2 tspn cinnamon

1 tspn vanilla extract

1 tspn sea salt

1/3 cup coconut oil, melted

½ cup raisins

½ cup dried cranberries

1 cup shredded coconut

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees and line two baking sheets with foil (makes clean up a breeze!). In a large bowl, combine oats, pecans, and almonds. In a separate small bowl, whisk honey and next six ingredients together.  Stir mixture into oats and nuts till completely combined. Spread mixture evenly on the two baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, then stir mixture on pan and return to oven for an additional 20 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 300 degrees, and return trays to oven for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown in color (I pull the trays out in the middle of this baking time also and stir). Remove trays from oven, and sprinkle raisins, dried cranberries, and coconut over golden oat mixture. Stir to combine, and allow to cool before storing. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three weeks.