My Life, my photography, my passions
Not too much to say about this, except it just gives the impression of the cold, barren winter. Just a picture coming back from my mailbox. I wonder how long it will take before I run out of photo opportunities between the house and the mailbox.
It is this easy muffin recipe that helped me earn that title with my family.
Blueberry, Apple, or Chocolate Chip chip muffins, I can crank them out in 30 minutes whenever anyone wants a snack. Here are some apple muffins and the very easy recipe that my daughter brought home from her Elmwood-Murdock high school foods class.
Stainless Steel Metal Measuring Cups and Spoons by Cooking Gods with Bonus Magnetic Chart. 12 Piece Stackable Metric Cup and Spoon Set
Rachael Ray Oven Lovin’ Non-Stick 12-Cup Muffin and Cupcake Pan, OrangeBob’s Red Mill Super-Fine Gluten Free Almond Flour, 3 PoundHoffmaster 611120 Tulip Cup Cupcake Wrapper/Baking Cup, 2
I use a large liquid measuring cup
Bake at 400F for 15-18 minutes.
Depending on the size of your muffin tins or muffin wrappers, this easy apple muffin recipe makes 6-9 muffins.
I love my local thrift store, Bit’s N’ Pieces. I really do, not only have I gotten great bargains, but I can count on friendly conversation on Saturday morning when I go in to browse. It’s not often, ok never, that I leave empty handed. This is just one of the beautifully decorated windows that change with the seasons.
Bit’s and Pieces Thrift Store is operated by the Elmwood Christian Church in Elmwood Nebraska. I don’t remember how long it’s been in business but it was originally opened as a way to raise money for the church that had burned down. Kinda of an indoor-garage-sale concept. Well, the success was overwhelming. At first it was only going to be open long enough to pay back the loan for the church. It became such a fixture that no one wanted to see it close. So volunteers still operate the store and profits go back to the church to benefit the community.
Elmwood has a population of less than 800 people and soon it was the place to find Christmas presents, birthday gifts, and just about anything you needed, or didn’t need, you could get there. My latest find was a LL. Bean Woolen woolen dress coat for $4.99, retail price $199.00.
I think this may be another topic I’ll highlight, Thrift Store finds…hmmm the treasures we will find. Remember my Uggs?
Yes, I love Mandarin Oranges. I would pick up a can at our local convenience store CD Express, in Elmwood, and eat them as a snack. Cheaper and healthier than chips don’t you think? The problem lately is the store no longer stocks them. But every time I stop in I walk down the aisle and look at the empty space where they used to be.
Before Christmas this past year we stopped in and and lamented the fact that I couldn’t get me Maradarin Orange fix. She said she would get me some for Christmas. I smiled and said “OK!”
Well, Christmas came this year I received about five cans, or about 7 lbs total. Not only did Jen put four small cans under the tree but I got a HUGE six pound bulk size can as a joke. Hey, have your laugh,…I’m eating Mandarin Oranges.
At first I thought I was going to have to find recipes to use them all, but no, better my daughter and I we will have them gone within the week.
But, if you ever find yourself looking for things to do with Mandarin Oranges here are a few hints.
Chocolate Dipped Mandarin Oranges With Sea Salt
Spinach Salad With Mandrin Oranges
Bittersweet Chocolate Tart With Mandarin Oranges
The search for the indestructible dog toy continues. Why do I try? Because it’s fun, because I like a challenge, and one day Brody might learn that the fun will last longer if he doesn’t totally destroy his squeaky toys. This time is was with a line from Tuffy Dog Toys.
When I worked for a pet supply company I had a lot of excuses to indulge my dog. I tried different dog foods, various types of dog toys, and all kinds of dog treats. Brody eats anything so that wasn’t really a fair test.
But, I digress, back to the dog toy test. My daughter played tug of war, keep away, and pulled him around the kitchen. It wore Brody completely out. He actually didn’t eviscerate this rabbit for over an hour, but was content to slobber and just gnaw.
It took almost three hours this very determined Jack Russell to break through the 3 layers of fabric and reach the stuffing. then it was an all out war on the dog toy. Kill the Rabbit, kill the rabbit,…isn’t that from a movie, I think Bugs Bunny.
The squeaker came out first, then all the stuffing, all over the floor. When the toy was sufficiently dead and just the skin left the novelty of the toy was over.
I now have a Boxer, in addition to my Jack, and Leah loves stuffed animals and carries them around like a baby. So as long as it doesn’t have a squeaker
This was also a level 9 dog toy from MyDogToy.com and it’s a good thing I participate in the Dog Testing program, otherwise these experiments would cost me a fortune.
