The Best Blueberry Muffins...


Cooking is not really my passion but I do like to bake.  A friend of mine gave me a little book on making muffins when we lived in Berlin Germany in the late 70's ...  actually it was Carlisle Pa. in the 80's. This is such a good recipe and I think the secret is sprinkling sugar and nutmeg on top.  They are so good.... thought you might like to try.

The Best Blueberry Muffins

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter at room temp.
1 cup sugar, or slightly less depending on tartness of blueberries
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsps. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cups blueberries (mash 1/2 cup with fork) I don't mash the 1/2 cup.  I put them all in at the end.
2 cups flour
1/2 cup milk
1 tbs. sugar mixed with 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Heat oven to 375.  Grease 12 muffin cups  or use paper liners.
In a medium bowl, beat butter until creamy.  Beat in the sugar until pale and fluffy.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Beat in vanilla, baking powder, and salt.
Mix mashed berries into batter ( I skip this step and just put 2 1/2 cups of berries at the end.  I like it better but it's your choice)
Fold in half the flour with a spatula, then half the milk.  Add remaining flour and milk.  Fold in blueberries.
Scoop batter into muffin cups.  Sprinkle with nutmeg sugar.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.  Cool and serve.

From Muffins by Elizabeth Alston


Another post from 2011...

 My very dear friend just moved herself to Greensboro Georgia.  I had the chance to go and visit her before Christmas and we had a ball.  Her daughter and husband live in the area with their new and completely edible baby.  I would love you to meet my new friend ...





Happy New Year ... and one or two post from 2011.


First, I want to say that I'm ready for 2012... so bring it on.  I am ready to move on and be present and participating in my own life.  It's hard to explain stepping outside of your life but that's what I've been doing... for a long time.  Not anymore...nope.  I'm here present and accounted for.  I'm behind in my posting so just pretend that you are reading this before Christmas.
My sister loves all things Spanish... the food, the language, the country, all of it.  Did I say sangria?  Yep, that too.  Anyway, she decided to celebrate her strength and fortitude with a ladies lunch with a Spanish theme.  It was so much fun.  My other sister (chef extrodinare) prepared the food and it was over the top.  I took some photographs but not enough.  I was to busy eating to take pictures of the main table but here are some of tasty treats that we started with.


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pretty and tasty too.
 

glasses waiting for ceviche

glasses waiting for sangria

sangria

Good friends

pretty ladies

Violet

My mom and sister

flowers everywhere


This is my sister who hosted this lovely event.  She looked so beautiful and happy.  Thanks B- it was so much fun.

Slow Decorating...


My tree has been up since Thanksgiving weekend but it's not decortated yet.  I just put the lights on and I'm hoping to get the ornaments on today.  Instead I pull things out a take pictures of them.  Eventually they will find there place.  Three friends are coming for dinner tomorrow evening so I'm thinking I should finish.  I'm loving these vintage glass ornaments that I find at the thrift shop.  Have a great weekend and stay warm.

Thanksgiving and family....


Thanksgiving in our family is crazy and chaotic but everyone  loves it that way.  We are an instant party with 20 adults and kids (11 yrs. to 26 yrs.).  We go to my parents home in Pa. and eat wonderful food and sleep where ever you can because there are never enough beds.  Music plays an important part in all our family events.  Many musicians and singers in this group.  I was a bit annoying with my camera but to bad...

This is the family including dogs....
All the cousins.....
My family and my Christmas card...

Just for fun...

Tradition is so important in this family.  Even though our lives change... having the one thing that is a constant helps us to stay grounded in what is important.  Thanksgiving at the farm has been that constant for us