Heavenly Banana-Blueberry Muffins

So I have been having some deep personal issues lately and lets just say the summer is not going "swimmingly". I'm not sure why, but when things go to crap all I can think to do is bake something! With the abundance of fresh blueberries right now, and a desire to produce something different as well as quick and tasty for school-day breakfasts that will be coming up any day now- it just shouted "muffins".

Look at these little beauties!

I had a few people sample them and the response was great!  There was also one suggestion to substitute pineapple or strawberry pieces for the blueberries, so I think I will be trying a few variations as well :D  I did also sprinkle some coarse sugar on top before baking just to pretty them up a little.

Download Recipe Here 

If you make these muffins or a variation, let me know what you think. I loved them!!

 

World's Best (and easiest) Deviled Eggs

I am feeling quite a bit better finally today.  The sun has been out for a few days which helps, for sure.  It almost feels like Spring is here for good, but I think it is a couple of weeks too early to tell.  What is the saying "if March comes in like a lamb...."     Yeah.  That one.

I love these vintage Easter cards. I have been thinking about a spring/Easter garland that includes a few of these great pics.  Hmmmm......

Anyway....... back to the Deviled Eggs.....this is so easy and so good, you will never turn back.  Ready??  Okay!

  

So there you have it.  :D  You should be able to click, save and print it off.  This has been my *Secret Family Recipe* for years.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

Oprah's Favorite Things?? The Real Reasons For Giving Thanks, And A Giveaway!

Oprah-shmoprah.  I'm sorry, but most of the *favorite things* are great if you are in the audience, and you're getting them for free!!  But what about the rest of us poor schmucks??  

Our favorite things often lie in the simple things in our lives.  My list is pretty short and sweet.  And, after my *many* years on this planet, my list no longer centers around material goods.  I won't tell you that I don't enjoy driving my fancy car, because it is better to have reliable transportation than the kind we had many years ago.......I have not forgotten driving with jugs of water in the back seat to refill the radiator on the wrecked Chevette.  But I know my true happiness does not rely on those things. 

I watched Oprah's *Favorite Things* Show last week, like I do every year.  Mostly to see what made the list.   Then, I thought.....why not share MY list, and ask all of you to list one of your *favorite things*?  It can be anything that makes you happy.  

For example, I love getting things ready and packing my suitcase for my annual birthday trip to Michigan.  It's not just getting to leave town for a few days.....it really is about my roots, seeing my family, and sharing the dark humor we are known for with the people that get it.  I love driving past the farms, seeing the fall colors, and that feeling of being loved and grounded all at the same time.  

Just about a decade ago, I lost 4 family members in 5 years, 3 of them to cancer.  It was so hard, for so long, to see anything in that experience that was good at all.  The holidays were by far the most difficult time for a long, long time.  I could hardly bring myself up enough to even decorate.  There were so many years we were together for Thanksgiving or Christmas and we took for granted that it would just *be* that way.  Richard would drink too much, Mom would complain the turkey was dry, Karen would burn the rolls, I would force people to try a new, healthy alternative to the old holiday recipes.  Then when things changed, I realized how much I depended on them to be the same.  I was lost for a long, long time. 

Eat Your Veggies!! A Recipe To Help

I love vegetables!  Not all, but most (sorry Brussels Sprouts).  Every year I start a vegetable garden~ I imagine myself with a bushel basket in my arms, overflowing with the fruits (& veggies) of my labor...sharing with my neighbors.... "why, YES! I did grow these myself.....no-no....I have plenty...please enjoy!"

In reality, this is what I get:

Yes, it's true.....I have yet to eat a single berry, bean or melon from my own garden!  Every year the same optimism~ every year I am dealt a crushing blow from Mother Nature.  I guess that is what comes from a Big City gal trying to be Fanny Farmer.  I am hoping that some of you out there can help me by telling me what it is I can do to fend off rodents sweet little bunnies, swarms of locusts, the stealthy possum and grow food in drought combined with searing heat.  One thing you do learn early on in Texas gardening is when the tag on the plant says 'full sun' it hardly ever means 'full Texas sun'.  Is it any wonder I rely on the local markets for my produce? 

I do love to cook.  I love my kitchen! I love chopping, kneading, baking, grilling and most of all- eating!  So what if this was not my reality:

I can still enjoy veggies!  Luckily, my kids love them as well, and my poor husband who was raised by someone who's cooking skills shall we say....were lacking?....has come around to crave them as well.