Make something new Monday

Hey everyone, I'm trying something new to hold my self accountable and become a better creative boss. Every week I'm going to try to create/make something new; whether it be art, jewelry, food, whatever allows me to be creative in a new and fun way. Hence the title of Today's post.

As I had mentioned in yesterdays post it got pretty hot outside. Now I guess I should back track a little and let you know that we do not have central air I repeat DO NOT have central air. The one air conditioner that we do have probably dates back to at least the late 70's if not the early 80's. Its ancient and unless you stand a foot in front of it your probably not going to get cooled off anytime soon. I've been lucky enough that the weather has been nice and has allowed us not to use it; but then Saturday came along and I had no choice but to flip the switch. 

So I ask what does every right minded individual do to combat the heat in an an apartment with a less then useful air conditioner... Bake muffins of course!

Yeah, yeah not the brightest thing to do, but I've never made blueberry muffins before and boy are they delicious. I got the recipe from this great blog Vanilla & Lace I did a few minor alterations and when it came to the streusal I didn't use really cold butter and I may have mixed it a little to well because the butter began to melt and it made yummy streusal globs, which by the way I'm not complaining because they still tasted amazing their just not as pretty. 

I was only going to make one batch so I could take them with me for my mid-morning snack but seeing how they were soooo good and the boy really liked them I decieded to make another batch on Sunday. I didn't have enough blueberries that time so I mixed in raspberries Mmmmmm.... Oh the possibilities

Blueberry Muffins

MAKES 12
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar - I used Splenda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 cup fresh blueberries

1 teaspoon vanilla - (I added this to the recipe)

For the streusal topping:
1/2 cup white sugar - I used Splenda
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup earth balance (or butter), cubed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon


1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg (or replacer mixture) and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
3. To Make Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup earth balance, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking. (You may not use all the topping)
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

Well that's it's for me. Tomorrow is a big day. After work Chris and I are going to see Otep at the Railyard; it should be really fun! 

Till next time...

Weekend Wind down

Hey everyone, hope you had a great weekend I sure did. We started things off with a good old fashioned farmers market, it was the first of the season and will run every Saturday until the 1st Saturday in October. I was super excited to go and I had every intention of filling up on local produce and goodies but alas if I don't bring a list I get totally overwhelmed. So I went home empty handed this time, oh well I'll make sure to bring a list next time we go.

Opening bell was 8:30 A.M and I think we got there a little before 9, there were so many people and the weather was already getting hot. There was fruit and veggies, jelly and meat, and some wicked group of guys playing a mean beat. (Ohhhh yeah I just threw down that rhyme). Don't worry folks I'll be here all week!

Next stop was brunch (Oooo fancy).

We went to one of our favorite cafes in town, McCormick Cafe. Chris ordered the Montana Ave Omelette filled with ham, tomato, and mushrooms with a white chocolate latte.

Mmmm... Let me think, oh yes, I had the Oatmeal: Steel cut oats served with milk, brown sugar and a side of fresh fruit and toast. Oh yeah...

Oh, and we just haaad to try one of their Raspberry Parisian crepes!!

How could you not??

So after we had our fill we decided to head to our local Summer Fair. It was full of vendors of all sorts; art, jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, clothing, iron work, you name it. Someday I hope (NO I'm going) to get a booth so I can sell my wares. 

We didn't stay too long, the heat was getting to us and after that awesome breakfast... Opps I mean brunch all we wanted to do was take a nap. There was some entertainment. The cast of Hair was preforming a few numbers. We would have stayed a little longer but somewhere between the peace and love and ass we knew it was time to leave.

We went home to re-coup and he spent the rest of the day indoors and I somehow found some obscure reserve of energy and decided it would be a good idea to bake muffins in 90 + degree heat, but anyway that's for another day.

Well that's it for me, what did you do with your weekend?

 

Happy 4th of July!

Hey everyone, hope you're all having a great 4th! Me and Chris are just kicking back and relaxing.

Were not going to go see the fireworks tonight, so we celebrated America's Birthday with a very patriotic breakfast, red, white and blueberry waffles with some grapes thrown in for fun. What did you do to celebrate to 4th?

I also took some pictures this morning...

I guess you could say these are my after pictures. After meaning: losing 107 pounds. I haven't posted any of the before pictures yet but I will once I steal some from my parents computer. I'm thinking next time we go over to my parents place, so don't forget to remind me Mom. 

And here's the guy who supported me all along the way and always thought I was beautiful, and never stopped reminding me. Even when I sometimes forgot. Love ya sweetie!

Top five moments of the day

1. Waking up with the man I love.
2. Yummy breakfast.
3. Driving with the windows rolled down.
4. Finished reading a book.
5. Spending time with my parents and introducing them to the wonderful world of gelato.
6. Ok I know I said my top five but technically the days not over with. So as the sun is taking it's bow and the city turns quiet in anticipation for tonight's show I'm reminded that life is pretty good.

Mary and Max

Hi everyone, it's Thursday one day closer to Friday Whoohoooo!!! I just wanted to share with you a new movie that I just watched and loved. Mary and Max is a claymation movie about to very different pen pals. Directed by Adam Elliot, the same man who wrote and directed Harvie Krumpet the Oscar winning short film. Now I wouldn't suggest showing this to the little ones, it's more for adult or young teen enjoyment. So go check it out!

Till next time...