Sunday, May 31, 2009

The World's Best Muffins!


So good that the photo I'm showing you of the muffin depicts them perfectly- eaten up! (Note the crumbs on Andrew's lips- that's what's left.) Yes, these muffins are that good!

Now, I used to be a recipe hoarder... but I have learned that somethings are too good not to share! Enjoy these moist, flavorful muffins for breakfast, tea time, or anytime you want to share a special moment with your sweet family!

Allie's* So Very Yummy Nana Crunch Muffins
3 c flour (can replace 1 c w/whole wheat if you'd like)
2 c sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 pound unsalted butter, melted & cooled
2 x-lg eggs
3/4 c milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c mashed RIPE (read: sweet, almost rotten & mushy) nanas
1 c diced nanas
1 c small diced walnuts
1 c granola
1 c shredded coconut (I buy unsweetened from the HFS)

1) Sift flour, sugar, powder, soda, salt into a large bowl.
2) Mix eggs, milk, vanilla & mashed nanas in a bowl.
3) Stir butter into flour mixture (bowl 1) and then combine this with the wet stuff(bowl 2) only till it's all combined. You shouldn't overmix muffins- lumps are ok.
4) Fold in diced bananas, granola, coconut and walnuts. Use an ice cream scoop (it's so much cleaner!) to scoop into lined or sprayed muffin cups, filling all the way up to the top! Sprinkle tops with finely chopped walnuts, granola or coconut.
5) Bake in a preheated 350 oven until the tops are brown 25-30 minutes. 15 ish for mini muffins.

This recipe is good for a few days and even frozen & reheated, unlike most muffin recipes. The secret is all the butter & all the nanas. The higher the fat in a muffin, the longer it stays moist & tasty! YUM!!! Be prepared to exercise self-control b/c you'll want to eat them all up right away!

*I found this recipe 10 years ago in a magazine... it's undergone a few changes (like healthy flour & extra vanilla) but someone else deserves the credit for these tasty morsels. Whoever you are, THANK YOU!!!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Firsts...














Teresa came over to hang with the kiddos last night so Chris and I could have some time off. (Isn't she sweet!?) We decided to bring Andrew with us and Georgia Anne for some one-on-one time (or two-on-two, as it were) and also to focus on some behaviour issues. Training him to come when we call, be still at the table, and not ask "WHAT???" all night long is a lot easier without 3 other adorable little distractions.

It wasn't all training and seriousness, though! We had a very important first!! Andrew's first HOT Krispy Kreme donut! When it was my turn to order, he chimed in with, "We'll have two." But of course!

Look- he's leading well already and he's only two!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Link Tutorial

I (Chris) will show you how to make your links look pretty now. A Cup of Grace. Grace Covenant Church's womens' blog.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Brotherly Love

You know those moments when everything is going perfectly? The big kids were playing happily (together!), Timothy & Andrew were taking their naps and Georgia Anne was exploring happily. Of course that couldn't all last too long. Georgia Anne started crying and Andrew (supposed to be napping) rushed to my bedroom.

Andrew: "Georgia Anne crying!"
Me: "Yes, I hear her."
Andrew: "Georgia Anne need you."
Me: "Thanks. I'll go get her."
Andrew: "Georgia Anne crying me hit her on heeeaad."

Ah HA! The truth comes out! At least he fessed up, right? Turns out she was about to do a "no no" and... whack! He stopped her, all right!

Do I love my children, family & friends enough to stop them from sinning... no matter what the cost?