Morning Glory Muffins

Muffins make a regular appearance on our breakfast table, as I rarely buy breakfast cereal.  Blueberry, lemon poppy seed, bran, my favorite muffins, you name it, we've probably had them.  So I am always on the look out for new muffin recipes.   My mother-in-law told me about this recipe she has on several different occasions during her visits here, but the recipe was always a long ways off at her house, some 850 + miles away.   We finally touched base this last week and I was able to get it from her, and these muffins did not disappoint!

I did change it up a little--when do I ever follow a recipe exactly?

I had previously tried to make a similar Morning Glory muffin recipe probably over a year ago and with that recipe, the muffins were light in color and in my mind they should be darker--more like a bran muffin.  I decreased the amount of sugar (which is healthier anyhow) and added in some molasses--to help offset the sweetness and give a darker color.  These turned out so yummy...and they are probably somewhat figure friendly too. 

Morning Glory Muffins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp molasses

1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup oil (yes, I know, I used a hydrogenated oil--at some point I will break down and buy some coconut oil  ...since then, I have bought coconut oil--and I don't use anything else now!)
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 c grated carrots
2 apples--peeled, cored, and grated
3/4 cup grated coconut (I used unsweetened)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 chopped pecans

Sift dry ingredients through cinnamon together, set aside.  Mix sugar, molasses, vanilla and oil together until well blended.  Add in beaten eggs and mix well.  Fold in carrots, apples, coconut, raisins, and pecans.  Make a well with dry ingredients and fold together wet ingredients.  Mix until just moistened.

Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  The recipe says 24 muffins--I got 18.   I guess it depends on your muffin tins.  :)   

Enjoy!


This recipe is linked to:

Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday
Blessed With Grace Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap 
Life as Mom Ultimate Recipe Swap

Menu Plan Monday

This rain driving me insane!  From what I understand, it should be an average of 80 degrees here right now, but summer has not arrived as of yet.  So I don't even have to worry about kitchen friendly recipes this week--remind me of this in mid-July!  :)  So for this week...

Sunday-Grilled Cheese, Soup

Monday-Roast Chicken, steamed veggies, mashed potatoes

Tuesday-Lemon penne pasta with ham (check back next week for recipe!)

Wednesday-Chicken Broccoli with Couscous

Thursday-Lasagna (using this tip), steamed veggies, crusty bread

Friday-Pizza with Homemade Crust and Homemade Sauce and Green Salad


Saturday-Leftovers

She Never Ceases to Amaze

Just  a few updates on the happenings of our household....we used to do Netflix.  Then, with going to living on one income a year and a half ago, that had to be cut.  Not that we didn't love the service, it was just not in the budget.

Fast forward to this spring--my Mom and Dad had a Nintendo Wii that we were borrowing and my Mom recalled it.  Ha, ha.  Turns out that Netflix was now offering to stream movies through the Wii and she wanted the Wii back so they could do that.  No big deal to us, we rarely used the Wii and it was theirs anyhow.   From what I understand, you can also stream movies through other gaming devices as well as a Roku box.
My sister and brother-in-law had used this Roku for the last several years with their Netflix service.  DH and I considered purchasing one of these devices several years back when we heard about it through my sister, but when I found out how much they cost, I decided I wanted a remodeled kitchen much more.  Let's face it, I am cheap!

So my sister mentioned to me on my last trip home that they no longer used their Roku as they were now using their XBox to stream movies through Netflix.  So I offered to buy their Roku from them, as our budget isn't as tight as it previously was.  She graciously offered it to us for nothing and brought it with her last weekend.  Dear Sister, we are enjoying our Roku.

It's changed our life.  Okay, not really, but it is so cool. 

And I should thank my Mom and Dad too.  In order to stream movies, you do have to have a wireless router, which they generously purchased for us.  Peanut is LOVING having "songs" {the Veggie Tale collection} at her fingertips.  And I have been able to intensify my home-body-ness even more.  I am kidding--sort of--I still plan to grocery shop and get limeades and go to the barbecue next weekend.

Seriously though, I am loving it.

In other news, the Peanut is up to her usual antics....

She can truly demolish a room in less than 2 minutes.  Because if having one toy out is fun, than having all toys out is the BEST!  DH and I have been addressing this.  We put toy "A" away if we want to play with toy "B."  Parenting is a work in progress, right?

She loves, loves, loves olives and has figured out that they fit perfectly on her fingers.  Mommy was so proud.  

Pigtails and tutus have a made a regular appearance lately and the pigtails are even staying in for about 90% of the day.  (They tend to start to fall out at the end of the day...)

And the rain here has finally subsided.  Rain back in Hometown was literally a daily occurrence....funny how living in a normally very dry climate for nearly eight months spoils you.  Hmmppph...

What's new at your house? 

Coconut Chicken & Rice

I am always on the look out for new chicken recipes, so when I found this recipe from Rachael Ray, I knew I had to try it.  Of course I improvised and adapted the recipe for our family, so I can sort of claim it as my own.  Sort of.  But it was definitely inspired by Ms. Ray and she always encourages improvisation, so that's just what I did.

 



























Coconut Chicken & Rice (inspired by Rachael Ray's Coconut Chicken Cutlets)

2 cups rice, white or brown (cook in rice cooker or according to package directions)

2 chicken breasts (sliced in half, so you have four "thin" breasts), slightly pounded
Salt and pepper
3/4 cup flour
1 egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated unsweetened coconut
1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3/4 cup apricot/pineapple preserves (RR's recipe calls for pineapple preserves.  I searched high and low here in Smalltown to find nada--I found them online, but I wasn't about to pay for shipping too!  This way turned out just as well.)
1 can diced chilies (4 oz.)
1 to 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 to 2 tablespoons chicken stock

2 scallions, whites and greens sliced

Sprinkle salt and pepper on each side of each halved and pounded chicken breast. 

Have 3 dishes for coating the chicken.  One for flour, one for the beaten egg (also include a splash of water to thin it down), and the last dish for the breadcrumb and coconut mixture, which should be mixed evenly. 

Heat the EVOO in a large skillet over medium heat.  Coat each piece of chicken first in flour, then in egg, then in the breadcrumb and coconut mixture.  Pan fry until deep golden in color on each side, until thermometer reads 165 degrees or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. 

In a seperate pan, over medium heat, stir together preserves, chilies, vinegar, and chicken stock.  Reduce until thickened, about 5 minutes.* 

Serve the chicken over rice, drizzling the sauce on top.  Sprinkle green onions for garnish.  We had a green salad for a complete meal.

*My husband is a saucy guy, so you may prefer to make a larger amount of the sauce for drizzling. 



This recipe is linked to:

Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday
Blessed With Grace Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap   

In Memory

For all those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Family Time

Peanut is napping right now, getting some much needed rest after her fun filled weekend with her Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie.  So, while the laundry is going, I will try my best to convey the fun we had over this last too, too fast 48 hours.

I know, I am such a multi-tasker.  I don't know how I do it.  

First, it seemed like it took FOREVER for them to get here.  I was just soo excited, and of course, they ran into to inclement weather (also known as torrential downpours), two car accidents, AND construction on the way here.  Needless to say, I was antsy, and according to them, so were they--so it felt like it took an extra two hours, but in reality, probably took an extra 30-45 minutes.  {Sigh}
 
As soon as they got here, I received a run down from Peanut (who was looking out the front window) of each of her visitors.  Papa! {Grandpa}  Geeni! {Auntie} (who were both sitting in the front seats)  And last but not least,  GaaMaw!  {Grandma}

Peanut was quite ecstatic, as she had three new playmates. Much more appealing than Mommy--rest assured, I know she loves me, but hey, she gets me 24-7. They played with the blots {blocks} and Grandpa built some pretty amazing structures.  Auntie built some forts with the furniture and blankets and Grandma let Peanut discover the joys of quilting looking through all her quilting tools and threads.  

Peanut was entirely pleased with herself when she figured out what a thimble was for.  (Peanut placed the one on Grandma....)

I know how much I enjoy Peanut, and it is even more special to see our family cultivate their relationships with her.  I just love it.

We also spent some time at the park, which of course, is always lots of fun for the Peanut--and it was fun for all of us too--the weather was FAB. U. LOUS.   We couldn't have asked for a nicer day.  

They blew bubbohs {bubbles} and collected pine cones for some Christmas crafts my Mom already has planned.  I know.   And Auntie swung Peanut in the air for lots and lots of giggles.

And just for the record, the biting the tongue thing is COMPLETELY a Papa thing (my Grandpa)--it totally helps to bite your tongue when concentrating really hard.   

Oh, and I will have you know that all of these pictures were taken with the camera on full manual mode, with me determining the best shutter speed and aperture.  

Which is why I took over 500 pictures this weekend, and in editing, whittled it down to about 90 pictures.

However, according to Scott Kelby, that is absolutely to be expected--even with the professionals.  So I wasn't even discouraged. 

Even though it was cut short, we had a wonderful time....I we CANNOT wait for the 4th of July.

And in other news, Happy Anniversary to me.  It's my one year blogiversary.  I have over 200 posts under my belt....here's to many, many more! 

********************

Oh, and Auntie--just so you know, I have since gotten Peanut up from her nap and she is walking around saying "Dude" right now.....

Nice.

Menu Plan Monday

I love, love, love having visitors.  And that is what we are enjoying right now.  {Insert sigh of contentment here}  To make this short and sweet, this week we will be having~

Sunday-Spicy Peanut Chicken, steamed veggies

Monday-Leftovers

Tuesday-Mexican Chicken, black beans, steamed veggies

Wednesday-Tuna Noodle Casserole, green beans

Thursday-Burritos with ground beef, black beans, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa

Friday-Honey Dijon Pork Chops, mashed pototoes, green salad

Saturday-Red Beans and Rice with Ground Beef

For other menu plan ideas, visit the Organizing Junkie. 

I Finally Did It

My husband and I had a conversation several weeks ago.  In not so many words, he told me that I need to get out more.  Me?  Self-proclaimed home body?  Nahhh....  But I knew deep down he was right.  We've been here in SmallTown nearly six months (at the time of the conversation) and he thought it was high time I got out there and found some other moms. 

Of course it would have been easier if we were attending church here, but with DH working Saturday nights and Sunday mornings, it makes it kind of hard.  Plus, couple that with the fact that I am a paranoid germ-a-phobe and not wanting to put Peanut in the church nursery--well, that just makes it even harder. 

Sooo, when I got back from my trip several weeks ago, I started calling around to several area churches to see if they had any sort of mom's group.  I couldn't find one.  One day several days later as I was running errands with Peanut, the Christian radio station had a commercial for MOPS.  I had heard of MOPS in the past, and I don't know why I didn't think of looking into it, but sure enough, our town has a MOPS group that meets twice a month at church less than two miles from our house.  So I called the coordinator.  But of course, I have the worst timing in the history of the world (okay, maybe not that bad) and the group breaks for the summer and yesterday was their last meeting until September.  All that to say if I hadn't drug my feet for so long, I would probably be a little more connected had I been going all this time.  Nice. 

Despite all that, the coordinator I spoke with on the phone was really encouraging and said I should still come and check it out.  And I did.  Boy, was that hard for me.  It was like my first day of freshman year when I didn't know a soul.  But all the ladies there were really sweet and it was good to talk to some other moms and have a small break from Peanut (as much as I love her).  They have some activities planned over the summer and I am going to try and go.  And I will even take Peanut with me.  (I didn't take her yesterday because DH had the day off and the meeting started at 8:45 and lets just say she and I aren't typically rolling and ready to face the day until after 11 on most days--something else on the list of things to work on.)

Although I haven't found a bosom friend just yet, I am so glad I went.  It was good to stretch myself. 

Someday...

...I would like to live here.

Has It Really Been 17 Years?

As I sit down to write a recap of my fun filled weekend, it never ceases to amaze at how. fast. time goes by.

My dear friend Sarah came up to visit this weekend, making the 5 + hour drive just to see little old me.  It was so nice to have more than our typical 3 hour chunk of coffee time to be able to sit and visit and shoot the breeze.  Plus, she and her husband have a little girl a tad older than Peanut--who had an absolute GRAND time spending time with her new friend.  Peanut slept in until 9:30 yesterday morning (she normally gets up around 8 am) and then proceeded to take a three hour nap yesterday afternoon.

She was plum worn out. 

Anyhow, back to my original point.  How fast time goes by.  Sarah and I have been friends for nearly 17 years.  We met in French class our freshman year of high school.

Yes, I realize I am dating myself.

I was brand new to the high school and knew no one.  Actually, that's not quite true--my neighbor down the street was a year older and he picked on me mercilessly like an extremely annoying older brother.  But other than him, I knew no one.  And Sarah befriended me.  She was Sophie and I was Elizabeth (our French class names).  We graduated high school together and went to the same community college and college together.  We also took a fabulous trip to Hawaii together when we were the ripe old age of 21.  Fun times.  I was her maid of honor and she was one of my bridesmaids (my sister was my maid of honor) when each of us got married.

But, oh, how time changes things.  Instead of talking fashion, dating, and that creepy economics professor, now our conversations are centered around potty training, stretching a dollar, and how we can't believe that acid washed jeans are making a come back once again.  I mean, really--wasn't once enough? 

It was such a fun weekend.  And it was relaxing--I mean, it was for me--I hope it was for Sarah too.  :)   We talked and talked and watched our little girls be rambunctious together.  It was great.

It just so hard to believe that we have been friends longer than we haven't.

We are old.

Good thing life gets better with age.