Eat Your Heart Out Ina Garten

Now that Lee's working Sunday's, to say that I have time on my hands is an understatement. I try to fill the day with things that would make the day fly by without him. I keep back the laundry, the grocery shopping, the cleaning and of course the big Sunday lunches for this quiet day. I've tried cooking some new thing which some have been epic fails (cough cough pork dumplings) but today I hit it big with muffins. Not, kill your pancreas with super sweet muffins, but healthy scrub your arteries muffins. For those who know me, I definitely don't have a flour hand. Baking is not my thing. I'm terrible with measuring and I reserve the baking for Lee or Marsha. But nothing like time on your hands to boost that inner baker!

I googled some muffin ideas and I came across a carrot-banana muffin recipe. The ingredients looked good, but I wasn't fond of the method or the measuring. So I loosely followed what they had and just eyeballed my measurements (see what I mean about being a good baker!) I wish I had a solid recipe to share but here's how it went:

- Cream butter & brown sugar
- Added 2 eggs
- Squeezed in some honey (honey makes everything better so why not)
- Added presifted flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnammon, nutmeg, salt
- Oh, and wheat germ! Gotta make it healthy right!?
- Mixed in ...are you ready...BUTTERMILK..my new favoritest best friend.
- I had some half n half ketching tail so I put that in too. Waste not want not.
- Stirred in 2 mashed up banannas, raisins and a shredded carrot.

The end result was fee-nominal. I was expecting them to be dense because of the wheat germ, but they're so light, fluffy, moist and not too sweet. Muffins that are yummy and healthy and would, as Lee would say, make your dookie float!

Is It Just Me?

I had a minor argument with the optometrist this weekend when I went to get new contacts. He boldly claimed that my annual eye test was due next month. What? August? NEVER. I stood my ground and claimed that the computer was wrong because I am POSITIVE I had my eyes checked in 2011...a couple months ago actually. "You better check my chart because you're trying to dig my eye out (no pun intended!) for another eye exam fee." He came back with my file, smirk and all, and showed me the date I signed off on the exam. It was August 2010. For a slight second I thought somebody forged my signature. There's no way it was a whole year ago...

Unfortunately, the computer wasn't wrong and it was just another reminder of how time & life is flying by. We're already on the downside of the year and soon enough it would be Christmas. To put it in a nutshell this year marks:

- 6 years with Lee
- 11 years since High School
- 4 years since College
- 6 years at this job

I can't think about it for too long. I'll go nuts trying to figure out where the time went!

New Creation Tour 2011

Here are some pics of Leeana during her 2011 mission trip to Knoxville Tennessee where they helped people fix up their houses. They even celebrated her birthday! What better way to ring in your 16th birthday helping others.(I bogarted these pictures from the Youth Ministry's website!)

Sixteen 'n Super Sweet

They say the teen years are the worst. They say they're moody, irresponsible, opinionated and self-fish. That they're boy-crazy and just hard to deal with. But that's society's generalizations because this sixteen year old is anything but what she's "supposed to be." She's empathetic, kind-hearted, logical, and grounded. She's a leader and a great role model for her younger sisters. She's in Tennessee on her birthday on a mission trip. While I heavily suggested she forgo the trip for such an auspicious occasion, she insisted commitments come first. (Hey, it was a test!) I'd love to pat myself on the back for this child, but I really just get to sit back and enjoy her parents' hard work!

To the most amazing girl on her 16th birthday who never fits the mould.

My Oldie But Goodie

Happy Birthday! (this should have been posted yesterday but better late than never!)

4th July, 2011