Lessons Learned from Moving- Days 1-4

Greetings, everyone!
I thought we'd be in Ohio by now, but due to some stupidity on my part, we are still in Pennsylvania. 
Below are the reasons...er, I mean "lessons" I've learned as a result of my journey/why we haven't made it as far as I thought:
-Kids go to the bathroom. A LOT.
-Kids are hungry.A LOT.
-heat/humidity+lack of A.C. in the car= frequent stops to get water(see also, "Kids go to the bathroom A LOT"). 
-Big trucks+construction+night x 65 MPH/several years of not driving= one very freaked out mama. Like, hyperventilating freaked out.
-Rest stops are a mother of children/furbabies roadie BFF.
-Walmart is also a mother roadie's BFF.
-Stepbrothers are awesome
-Mapquest is only good if the person using it is good with directions. If you get lost going around the corner.(not that I do or anything...*nervous laughter*), then it is the devil's spawn of direction-giving websites.
-GPS is a directionally challenged woman's work husband. Complete with arguing and "I'm sorry, you're right. I was wrong..."
-Comforter's as a substitute for tarp on top of a moving vehicle only work up to 55 MPH. Anything past 55...yeah, you're picking up stuff off the highway. While big trucks are zooming past. *cue hyperventilating..again*.
-You suddenly realize that after comforter/stuff failing incident occurring several times within a few miles of each other that the stuff on the roof may not be worth risking your life over. Hey, less stuff to weigh you down at the new place, right?
-Tarp only works with a large amount of bungee cords. No, 8 is not deemed "a lot". And possibly large amounts of rope(just a guess-still working on kinks for this experiment).
-Stick with a relatively vegetarian diet when traveling with limited ways of heating food. Otherwise, you're stuck eating super-processed foods you would normally eat on rare occasions.
-Super-processed foods rarely eaten suddenly becoming everyday food has some really uncomfortable consequences.
-Large amounts of super-processed foods+limited leg movement= cankles an elephant would even say "Holy cow, those things are huge!!!!" to.
-Bring a pet brush on road trips if bringing furbabies. Unless your idea of an extra layer of clothing/snack is large amounts of fur over everything.
-Planning in advance is actually a good way to travel.Or so I've heard.
-Winging it is not such a good idea when there are children and fur/scalebabies involved.
-Car chargers- seriously, why did I not think of this? (please see:Stepbrothers are awesome)
-Roadies aren't actually as awful and scary as people think them to be. Some just look scary, but honestly, most of them are really just big teddy bears with road wisdom. Talking softly, cracking jokes and having chatty children helps.
-Praying while driving helps kill the time; you know, until you can come to a stop light and re-attempt to find the local country music station...again.
- I suddenly have a bigger appreciation for people that drive long distances as a part of their job description.
As soon as I get the hang of all this, pictures will follow. I think.

Until next time,
Mama Jenn

Moving and Other Random Thoughts and Emotions

The countdown begins. 95% of my packing done. Y'all know me, I wait until the very last minute for EVERYTHING*wink*.Yesterday was exhausting, both physically and emotionally. I got my blessings from the only blood relatives that I speak to- my sister and her family. Although few words were exchanged(my sister and I don't say much to each other...it mostly a question, followed by an answer, followed by one of our many faces acknowledging we heard right or didn't approve of the answer/silently think the other sister is adopted/wonder why mom didn't beat us enough as children to knock some common sense into us,etc.), many emotions were felt.
 Today, it's going to be a lot more emotions. There are massive butterflies in my stomach. Every thought, a prayer. Every word, carefully chosen. Mixed emotions doesn't even begin to cover how I'm feeling right now. Reducing 8 years of my family's life to a Suburban is no laughing matter. Not knowing what's ahead is downright scary. I've never moved out of state before, and I've never drove with a car more loaded with stuff than this one *nervous laughter*.
 It's amazing how some can suddenly reveal their true selves when they have nothing to lose. For months, years even, you are a friend but when you're getting ready to physically need them, you're suddenly a stranger in their eyes. Months of soothing words and reassurance, gone and forgotten at the last moment.I won't call out names, but they know who they are. I want to be mad, I want to cry over the wrongs done, but honestly, "Ain't nobody got time for 'dat.". God has blessed "Three Plus Me" with real friends that I can point to and call FAMILY and know without a shadow of a doubt they'll be there for us. Not when it's convient for them, but all.the.time. They've been there for us through thick and thin.
This move may be crazy, this move may be senseless. There are many people that have voiced(and screamed and texted and...) their opinion about this move. I'm hoping and praying that God will prove them wrong. If he doesn't, then it is only I who looks the fool. Even if nothing comes out of this move and I return back to PA, I have to do this now. I've waited three years to do this, and regardless of the outcome, I don't want this to be one of those things I regret never doing later on in life. I have a lot of those as it is, I really don't want to add one more to the list.
But, the same thing happened when I said I felt God calling me to homeschool. I know, homeschool and a move across the country are two very different things, but both started out the same. The pattern in the beginning seems to be the same, as of right now. I'm risking everything. People have abandoned me. I am starting without a clue in the world and just enough money for the day(and possibly not even a full day, at that). The enemy is breathing down my neck, whispering, "You're too scared to do something so bold! You don't have the guts! You can't do this, you won't! You're making a big mistake!"
In truth, no, I can't do this. I'm not even going to pretend I can. In all honesty, I'm a spineless wimp who wants nothing more than what she's comfortable with, with what she knows. I would love to just say, "Ha! I was just kidding, I'm staying after all! I'm not going! I'm too scared, too afraid of being uncomfortable and not sure of the outcome..no way, that's not for me! I'm staying my bum right here!"
But if this is God calling me to do this....then I have to at least try and go. It's going to be rough, there are many times I'll want to turn back, question if this is really his will, question my own sanity. I will probably break down and cry many times, thinking I was a fool, it was all in my head.  No, on my own, I can't do this, just like on my own I couldn't homeschool. It's impossible to do this bold a thing on my own. I can't, I won't.
I can't...but God can.
Although I don't know the outcome, God does.
Am I scared? Out of my wits. Am I afraid of failing flat on my face for the general public to see? No...well, people see me fall all the time, but not metaphorically.Okay, who am I kidding...EVERYONE sees me fall slat on my face literally and metaphorically.But, we'll just stick to metaphorically.  Metaphorically, yes.  Do I even have an inkling of what I'm doing? Nope. Could I have planned this better? Yes. Should I have waited for more money to do this? Probably, but I know myself well enough to know, if I don't at least try with what little money I have, I'll never make it.
Regardless, I've got to do this. I've got to at least try.
Hopefully, later today or tomorrow, I should have figured out how to upload videos from my phone onto Youtube. Anyone want to message me the instructions? No? Okay, I'll Youtube it. If I can't find it, I'll upload it on my personal page on Facebook. If I can't figure out how to link it someway to this blog, then I'll upload pictures of our journey. At least I know how to do that...
Don't think I've forgot about the other (not-so-life altering) changes. I have confirmed the two new writers to Udder Chaos, and we should be starting sometime late Summer-Early Fall. As soon we all settle our crazy herds of children from the chaos that is Summer, we will group together and brainstorm some post ideas. If you have any suggestions for the "Chaotic Three", we will be more than happy to post our view on it.
Anyways, I'd better get going. Today is the day.
Until Next Time,

Mama Jenn

Udder Chaos on the MOOOOOOVVVVVEEEE!!!

Hey y’all!

I have some great news! The Udder Chaos family is MOOOving!

Oh, c’mon, you KNOW I had to. Udders, moo? You have to see the connection here. Do I need to give you a minute to think about? Well, okay.

*cue timer*

….time’s up! Moooving on…

That’s right, the crazy antics of our chaotic family are no longer being limited to the great state of PA! That’s right…we’re finally moooving ourselves over to Idaho! Yes, I know…Idaho’s known for potatoes and not cows, but just stay with me here a little bit longer. Okay? Okay.

This is something God’s been giving me God nudges (and pushes, and shoves, and…) about for the past 3 years, and it wasn’t until this year I finally said, “Okay, God! I get it, I get it! We’re going, we’re going!”

I’m not entirely sure why Idaho (no homeschool laws? *shrugs*), but I do know this feeling in my heart just will NOT go away. Trust me, I’ve tried to let go of it, especially when I had no idea of how on earth we would ever get there. Then *boom* God blesses us with a way.

Since the kids and I have never been on a vacation before, we’re going to take two weeks to travel the states between PA and ID. Which brings me to my next revelation…

Udder Chaos is expanding!

Since so many of you are going to miss us face-to-face, and the written word can only do but so much…soo…we’re going to start our own Youtube Channel!

That’s right! Starting May 30^th, we’re going to be starting a vlog of our vacation/move to Idaho! Please make sure to save our channel to your Youtube favorites! As soon as I have the kinks tested out, I’ll make sure to post the direct link here, on the blog. Keep an eye out for it on my Facebook page!

Yes, you can sleep in the meantime. I know, you’re still catching sleep from that time period I didn’t post from Thanksgiving to New Years(My word, someone can hold a grudge…).  I didn’t mean “keep an eye out for it” literally. Unless you sleep with one eye open…in which case, go right ahead and keep that one eye open and out for the post…

But, that’s not the only way we’re expanding…We’re adding MORE chaos to the mix. You know, because our lives are sooo dull and boring as it is! *wink*

No, I don’t mean that sort of expanding. What do you think I am… a hot air balloon?! I’m trying to lose weight, not gain it! Sheesh!

Along with the Youtube channel, the Udder Chaos family is going to be adding some fresh meat…I mean, writers! Yes, writers! *nervous laughter* We’re going to be adding at least one(if not,two!) writers to the mix. Totally disregard that urge for bacon that managed to form in the back of your mouth. Oh, and wipe your mouth...you're drooling.

We’re adding onto the family in other ways,too. That’s right…we’re getting a dog!! No, we’re not replacing the transgender iguana or Nemo the fish that isn’t really a Nemo-breed of fish. They’re still here!  As long as the iguana doesn’t bite me(I kid, I kid…she already has. It was an accident!), and the fish doesn’t go belly up, they’re coming with us! We’re just waiting for the move to get them, since I can’t have any fur babies in my current place. *cue sad face*

Okay, so…pets, move, mention of bacon, Youtube…have I got everything covered? Oh, I didn’t mention chocolate once in this post.

Chocolate,Dark Chocolate. There. Okay, this post is complete.

So, is your head spinning? Are you feeling as giddy as a schoolgirl at her first school dance? Does your tummy feel like a net full of butterflies?

Then my job here is done.

Until next time,

Mama Jenn

P.S.

Questions about this post, or past posts? Ask away in the comment section below, or feel free to contact me on my Facebook page.

Review of Time4Learning- Coming Soon!

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

Check back in a month for the review! I look forward to my kids checking it out! :)
Mama Jenn

What on earth is a PB? Is Jenn in L-O-V-E?

Well, I’m sure you all were on the edge of your seat, waiting for another blog post. You couldn’t sleep at night, you talked to your therapist over it, it drove a wedge between you and your spouse.

No? You mean…you mean you actually slept that one time over Thanksgiving? For shame!

Okay, jokes aside, I’ve got some great news. Well, several things really. But some I have to leave for another blog entry. I know I know…I’m a woman of mystery, what can I say? Call me the Carmen Sandiego of the mama world *wink*.

After tinkering around all summer/autumn, trying to find my own way around the world of real foods and the dreaded “E” word…I’m proud to say, I’ve finally lost some weight!

That’s right…this mama has, as of today, managed to lose 15 pounds over the past two months!

*cue happy dance*

Okay. But, y’all know me. I don’t just stop at just one revelation after not writing in so long, oh nooo. I have to keep you riding that happy dance joy train until I can’t hold it myself anymore.

The second thing…you will have to wait until spring (but no later than summer) to have spelled out for you.

But, I will say, it involves….potatoes.

While you’re sitting there, questioning my sanity (admit it- you’ve done it at least once!), I’m going to reveal to you something totally awesome. It’s something that even I wasn’t sure about. Something…

Or should I say someone…

That God put in my path. If you’ve noticed my Facebook page at all within the past few days, you would notice I’ve made a few goofy references to this…someone…a few times. But, because your head is reeling in confusion, I will give you the background story. Because I know deep down inside, y’all totally love my stories.  

Okay, so…about a year and a half ago, I was checking singles websites because…well, I’m single. And I was bored.

Anyways, I came across one profile, about a man who recently came back to Christ and was in the midst of a divorce. He was a single dad with two kids. He said on the profile he wasn’t really looking for a relationship yet, but just to make some friends.

Okay, I said to myself, I can dig that. Everyone needs friends, right?

So, I searched for him on Facebook. And I found him on the first try.

Wow, that was easier than I thought…I thought to myself.

I friend requested him. Now, this guy didn’t know me from Adam, so I thought to mention that I found him on the said dating website and that if he was interested, I’d be his friend. I really didn’t expect a response back. After all, who does that? He probably thought I was some borderline stalker or psychopath or something.

I sort of hoped he would respond. I mean, he’s a single parent, I’m a single parent. Single parents need friends! But, as with most things, I just put the vibes out there, and waited to see if they’d come back to me or not.

Well, he accepted my friend request!

We became friends on Facebook. For several weeks, we just talked on Facebook. We vented to one another, and tried to point each other back to God and his Word.

Alright, neither of us sounds like total psychopaths, I thought. Maybe I could…give him my phone number?

I gave him my number, while trying to sound all non-conspicuous about it.

I don’t like him. I told myself. I’m just being…friendly.

He called me two days later. It was the longest two days of my life.

When he did call me, the conversation went smoothly. It was like we picked up where we left off. We started to talk every few days, then almost every day. During these talks, we started flirting a little. Okay, let’s be honest- I started flirting a little. What?! I never said I wasn’t flirty!

Anywho, so…things suddenly got weird for both of us. We had a fight. I cried. I told him I never wanted to speak to him again. He respected that, and backed away. It went that way for several months. I thought waiting for him to call me was bad, but this was torture. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. There was a particular song that came on, that reminded me of him. Every time it came on, I cried.

This is so stupid! I thought. Why am I getting all bent out of shape over a guy I barely knew? He was just a friend, Jennafer! It’s not like you were dating or anything.  Why on earth does this hurt so bad? Why do I feel so awful? Why did I push him away?

I would do the dishes, and suddenly this overwhelming sense of guilt would come over me. I would be trying to sing a country love song, and would find myself crying by the end of it, because I started thinking about him. No matter how much I tried to suppress it or move beyond it, I couldn’t get him out of my head. Sometimes it was full force, sometimes it was a quiet longing in the back of my mind.

I did what any sensible woman would do- I asked everyone and their mama about what I should do. And everyone pretty much said the same thing-“if he’s just a friend,  then stop flirting and sending him mixed signals and just be his friend!”

Okay, okay. I got this. I can be…his…friend. I can do this. Lots of women have male friends that they don’t think about that way, right? Right!

Then, I prayed about it. Well, half prayed about, anyways. The prayers were mostly like, “please God, help me not to flirt, but to be his friend. If he still wants to be my friend, I mean. Forgive me for flirting with him.  Help him to forgive me and my flirtatious nature so that we can be friends again. Help get him out of my head so I can be his friend. Amen.”

I sent him another friend request on Facebook, with another message (an apology) and a line drawn in the sand. We can be friends, but we can’t flirt. Like, ever.

He accepted my apology. He apologized, too. We both sort of laughed it off, and went back to where we were. Friends.

It went on like this for quite some time. We knew our limits; we tried hard not to cross them. Sometimes, one of us would slip, and the other would gently redirect us back to line in the sand. After a few times of this, we went back to being good friends. Best friends, even.

The guilty feeling went away. I had him back! Yay! Yes, we were friends, but…maybe that’s all God wanted us to be.

But…that song came on still. Sometimes, I would post things on Facebook, hoping he would say something about it. We talked on the phone, and I would hold my breath when he answered, hoping he would pick up the phone the way he used to, saying, “Hey, beautiful!” Instead he now said what everyone else said, “Hey, Jen!” It somewhat bothered me I didn’t hold that place in his life anymore.

I didn’t say anything. After all, I asked for this. He never asked for more, so I assumed he didn’t want more, either. Life goes on.

The summer came once again. We sort of drifted apart a bit, him because of work, me because of school. We kept in touch, but barely.

Then, the inevitable happened. He…moved on. He got a girlfriend. I was happy for him as a friend. As a woman, though, I wanted to slap the taste out of this other woman’s mouth!

Finally, I reasoned with myself. I had no claim on him, he was my friend. He’s a great guy, and he deserved love, just like anyone else. I backed up, so he could have the time he needed to get to know this new woman and all that jazz. I was busy, anyways, taking the kids to the library, the park, and just about any place that had a free or low-cost activity going on. I was babysitting, I was active in church, I had stuff going on. No time on wondering what if and getting violent (in my head) with a woman I’ve never met.

Of course, we all know what happened next. That’s right…the potentially something wonderful that ended up becoming the potentially something stupid and not worth the energy I spent on it in three weeks or less.

Shortly after that nonsense, I texted him to hear about how happy people fall into happy relationships and try to be an, “I’m soo happy for you!” friend. Yes, I still wanted to slap the said woman. But, I was still in his life, and that was more than I deserved. The song still came on, and I still got a little sad upon hearing it; but I wasn’t his “Hey Beautiful!” anymore. Someone else took the opportunity.

Summer was coming to a close, and suddenly, I was receiving text and calls from him a bit more, for advice. His relationship was turning sour, and he needed some help on making it right. I tried being a good friend, by offering him advice from a woman’s perspective, “well, if I were her, I’d like…”

His relationship ended anyways. So, for the next few weeks, we were wallowing together in our failed attempts at love. We laughed it off, and the friendship went back to the way things were before. He didn’t call me beautiful, but he called me a great friend and I called him a great guy. We continued to encourage each other in Godly love.

But…that song still came on. It wasn’t as often, but it still came on. It still stirred up feelings I thought I shouldn’t be having. We were friends, great ones at that. However, the rejection I felt from the potentially something wonderful becoming potentially something stupid made me not want to go through anything again. My life was full; I had my kids, my God, and my health. I was going to school full time, and doing well. I had great friends, neighbors, and community.

Christmas season came, and so did the reminder of the New Year. I took time to thank God for all that He’s provided my family, while asking for wisdom and boldness to act out the plans He may have for my family in the upcoming year. As I prayed, I felt prompted to ask God to know. The feelings I had, were they me hoping for something I shouldn’t have? Or were they…something more? I asked for a sign. As the New Year came and went, I continued to pray about the matter. I heard silence. Weeks went by, and I started to wonder if maybe the silence meant “No.”.

Then, we had an abnormally warm Saturday. I had some errands to run, and the kids were antsy. They wanted to go to the playground. So, after the errands, we took the bus to go to the playground. No sooner did we go to the playground, my son said he had to go to the bathroom. The bathroom in the playground was closed, so we had to walk down to the gas station. In order to get there, we had to pass through an auto body shop’s parking lot. There was a huge industrial sized dumpster in our path that we had to walk around. As we approached it, I noticed some graffiti on it. Just some teenybops being stupid, I thought. But as we got closer, I noticed something. The dumpster didn’t have just any graffiti on it, it had his name on it. Not just a signature, but the words, “I love Aaron!” on it. Not just once, but all over the dumpster, completely covering the dumpster in love declarations.

I got goose bumps. I call goose bumps “God nudges” because most of the time when I get them (and I’m not cold), it means I’m onto something God is trying to tell me. And guess what?

I wasn’t the least bit cold.

The kids called me to hurry up. As I walked past it, I knew I had my sign. My amusing and weird sign, but my sign never the less. Amusing and weird, for an amusing and weird mama like me. Seems legit.

I told my BMF about it. She said the only thing to do was to just tell him. I was scared. Yes, we flirted awhile back, but…that doesn’t mean he had feelings for me. I was afraid of the rejection, of possibly losing another person in my life by trying to take it to another level. I recalled the months we didn’t speak, and I didn’t want a repeat of that. That hurt too much. She kept prompting me to just say it.

So, I said it. In a hypothetical, “what would you do if some chaotic woman said she saw a sign that involves you, prayer, a dumpster, and some graffiti? Would you continue speaking to her, even if you weren’t interested?” sort of way. When he finally gave me his answer, he asked, “So, who is this guy, anyways?”

I took a deep breath, and spilled the beans. I waited for his response. There was an awkward silence. He finally said he was going to need to pray about it. Although I was hoping for an answer right then and then, I respected his decision. Of course he should pray about it. We’re Christians, and that’s what Christians do, right? Duh, me.

A few (long, agonizing) days later, he gave me his answer.

He said yes! He wanted to court me! Then we were both spilling the beans about how we felt. I wasn’t the only one feeling this way! He cared for me, too! Added bonus- he wasn’t ashamed of my hair! *wink*

I’m so ecstatic to know that he loves me for who I am; first as a friend, now as something more. He knows my udderly chaotic life: no having to tone down or pretend I’m not an accident prone, big dreaming, slightly hippie, real foods lovin’, bookworm hording, ‘fro wearing, homeschooling mama.

Do I know for sure what the future holds between us? No.

All I can do is hope, pray, and trust God knows what he’s doing.

Oh, and dream he’ll be become a part of our Chaotic little family. Maybe he’ll even write a blog post or two…if I let him *wink*wink*

Until Next Time,

Jennafer

P.S.

What, you didn’t think I was going to end without telling you what you wanted to hear, did you??

PB is my term of endearment for him, and it means….

Papa Bear.

You’re welcome. Now, go get some sleep, you haven’t had any since Thanksgiving! Sheesh!

P.P.S.

You still can’t sleep, huh? Alright, since you must know…here’s the song I kept mentioning that reminds me of him. Again, you’re welcome. Oh, and your head is dropping on your keyboard again…and is that snoring I hear?! (O.o)

Weekly Menu for: November 5-11, 2012

Breakfast
Cranberry Crumble Bars
Raisin Bread Apple Crisp
Amish Baked Oatmeal
Lunch
Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with refried bean and queso dip, baby carrots, grapes
Tortellini with Alfredo Sauce, raisins, apples with peanut butter, brocolli
Cheesy quesadillas with simple salad, grapes, apple slices
Italian Chicken bites, spinach, banana, applesauceSnackBlockbuster Cookies
Popcorn
Pumpkin Fluff with Graham Crackers
Baby Carrots OR broccoli with ranch or honey mustard dip
Dinner
Lasagna
Pizza stuffed Chicken breast, biscuits, and peas
Mashed Potato cakes topped with sour cream, simple salad
Beef and bean tortillas, with choice of toppings (salsa, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, chopped tomato)
Chicken, Bacon, Spinach, Tomato, and cheese calzone (using my multi-purpose dough recipe found here)

Breakfast Recipes for: November 5-11, 2012

Amish Baked Oatmeal recipe can be found here.
Raisin Bread Apple Crisp
Found at: Sunmaid Raisins
Serves- 6
6 TBS. melted butter
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup chopped nuts
4 slices raisin bread (homemade, or store bought)
3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into ¼ inch wedges
Directions
Heat oven to 325 degrees.

1. Combine butter, brown sugar and nuts.
2. Tear raisin bread into ¼ inch to ½ inch pieces.
3. Mix torn bread with butter mixture.
4. Put cut apples in a 9-inch baking dish, pat bread mixture firmly over apples.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until top is golden brown and apples are soft. Serve warm.

Cranberry Crumble Bars
Found at: Martha Stewart Living, Nov. 2012 Issue
Makes- 24 bars
Filling
1 can (14 oz.) whole-berry cranberry sauce
OR
½ cup dried cranberries (7 ½ oz.)
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ tsp. cornstarch
¾ cup cold water
6 TBS. cranberry juice
Dough
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. coarse salt
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 ¼ cups packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ cup chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
(If making your own filling): Pulse cranberries and sugar in a food processor until a coarse paste forms. Transfer to saucepan. Whisk cornstarch into cold water, then add to cranberry mixture, whisking to combine. Stir in juice. Simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and sugar dissolves, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool completely.

1. Butter or spray with cooking spray a 9x13 inch baking pan. Line baking pan with parchment paper, letting 2 long sides overhang edges. Butter parchment, then flour parchment and sides of pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add brown sugar and butter, and stir until well combined. Mix in egg and vanilla, then oats and walnuts.
3. Press half of dough mix into pan. Spread cranberry filling evenly over the dough, then crumble remaining dough on top of filling.
4. Bake about 40 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
5. Let cool completely in pan on wire rack, about 1 hour, then lift out using parchment.
6. Cut into 2 inch squares.

Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.