Hosting A Bus Stop Breakfast

Before the school year begins, gathering the kids that will be riding the school bus together is an excellent way for moms to connect and kids to ease into the school year.

The Bus Stop Breakfast is an idea that an ingenious, Hopkinton, soccer mom friend of mine shared with me during practice a few years ago.

Every year, before the start of school, she and her neighbors get together for breakfast at one of their houses. They make sure to include all of the kids that will be riding the bus together as well as new neighbors.

Each participating mom chooses a breakfast item to bring, and the host provides the beverages. What makes this idea even more appealing is that moms are free to bring something homemade, or pick something up from the grocery store.

The Bus Stop Breakfast can also be modified into the Bus Stop Brunch, lunch, or late afternoon appetizer, depending on people's schedules.

Here are some bus stop breakfast ideas:

Basket of fresh bagels with assorted cream cheeses, homemade breads such as; pumpkin, apple, lemon-poppy seed or cinnamon. Muffins or muffin tops. Egg strata's or egg casserole's. Pancakes with assorted toppings, waffles or homemade granola.

If you choose to bring homemade granola to the bus-stop breakfast or to any other potluck breakfast, here is a delicious recipe from a college friend of mine whose mom, Joni, would make and wrap it in colorful bags with curly bows.

I still remember Joni's granola and how her delicious creations filled us with a sense of home and happiness while studying for our college finals. Here is the recipe.

Joni's Granola

In a large old cake pan, or lasagna pan, spread:

5-6 cups old fashioned (organic) oats

1/2 cup raw wheat germ

1/2 cup flour (with wheat & unbleached white flour mixed)

1/2 cup sesame seed (unhulled)

1/2 cup sunfloweer seed (unsalted)

1/2 cup nutmeats cut up (walnuts, slivered almonds, or pecans)

1/2 cup shredded coconut-unsulphured, (optional)

In a sauce pan, heat (not quite to boiling point):

3/4-1 cup canola oil

3/4- 1 cup honey

When mixture is hot ( but not boiling), add 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract and pour over dry granola ingredients in lasagna pan. Bake in oven at 200 degrees Farenheit for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.

Hint: Be sure to copy down the recipe and have it handy. Chances are good that friends who taste this delectable mixture will surely ask you for the recipe.

Enjoy!