The Muffin Lady

 Welcome!

All kaleidoscopes by inkspired and KaleidoCam 

After a disastrous blogging failure I haven’t wanted to attempt a blog for awhile.

I spent well over 10 hours researching, finding photos and identifying credits, and writing a blog on 

The History of Handkerchiefs.

It was a great one!

One Kings Lane 

Trying to add in a credit for a photo, blogger did its’ typical pain in the you-know-what. Then, poof.

POOF!

My entire blog was gone except the title, labels and 1 credit for a photo no longer there!

Found on Pinterest

I’ve been just sick about it.

Time for comfort food, and one of my favorites are

MUFFINS!

I thought today I would share a recipe from one of my favorite muffin cookbooks, “The Muffin Lady”.

Nothing like a warm, buttered muffin to make a gal feel better...

Morning Glory Muffins    Makes 6- 12 depending on size of pans

Remember to read all directions first!

My personal notes are in bright blue.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare muffin cups by lining with wax paper

  - just a note, I use paper muffin liners

INGREDIENTS

2 Cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt (yes, really!)

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon mace 

2 carrots, grated

1 apple grated (red delicious is NOT best choice here! I like Gala.)

1 cup oil (I use saffron)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup crushed pineapple

1/4 cup chopped nuts

After setting all ingredients out, sift together dry ingredients.

Don’t have a sifter? Just mix Very Well.

Place carrots, apple, oil and sugar in a bowl and mix with an electric mixer until well blended.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each one. Try not to over-mix.

Gradually add the set aside dry ingredients.

Fold in pineapple and nuts. (Fold means use a spoon/spatula and fold dough over, NOT using a rough ‘mix’ or vigorous beating. Think egg shells you don’t want to break, but you don’t want clumps either.)

You should now have a lumpy batter with no dry spots.

Spoon into wax paper lined or paper liners 12 unit muffin pan.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.

When done, remove from pans as they will continue to cook if you don’t. 

I like to put mine in a towel lined bowl, and flip the towel over the top to keep them warm until serving.

If you have used paper muffin liners, cool for at least 1-3 minutes before trying to peel.

Photo courtesy epicurious, Pinterest 

Well, that’s it for today’s blog!

Things I would really like feedback on, if you have a moment:

1. Can you read this if you are on your phone? Is the print size good?

2. Are certain colors harder to read than others?

3. Would you like the text credits to be larger? Doesn’t matter?

4. Is there a subject you would like me to blog on?

5. Are there subjects you really don’t care about?

Hey! Thanks so much for your time!

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Try as I could, I did not find a credit for this photo. It’s popular! But no one seems to want to credit the photographer. If you know, please tell me so I can give proper credit.

By inkspired

Celebrate All American Breakfast Month of September

Ashtee

(Farsi for 'peace')

Palo Dura Canyon, Texas

Have you smiled today?

Have you told someone something positive today?

No?

That's okay, you still have some 'today' left to do those things!

:0)

the month of September is

All American Breakfast Month!!!

I am trying to mention all month events/celebrations closer to the first of the month, but sometimes I don't get it done early.

You still have 3 days to celebrate!

Why not make a yummy breakfast for 3 days?

Really! You can do it!

c.1917

Let's get our aprons on!

Let's get the kids occupied!

Notice the unique way the artist has made some of Allison's paper clothes.

Let's put on some nice music.

Here are a few music artists that perhaps you are not familiar with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzUl2eiKx5E&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnHydMjGn6M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27GUZsrhxJ8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kp8yXDpNaQ&list=PLB857E9FD04AEC37E&index=38

When you click on the link, it will take you to that specific video,

BUT

each artist has several other songs and videos.

Have fun!

CHEESY BACON VEGETABLE MUFFINS

from Better Homes & Gardens Old Fashioned Home Baking cookbook

1 3/4 Cup flour

2 Tbs sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 beaten egg

3/4 Cup milk

1/3 cooking oil

6 slices bacon, crisp cooked, drained & crumbled (1/3 Cup)

1/4 Cup finely chopped onion

1/4 Cup finely chopped green pepper

2 ounces Swiss OR American cheese, cut into 12 (3/4 inch) cubes

Grease 12 (2 1/2 inch) muffin cups, or line them with paper bake cups. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Make a well in the center of the dry mixture.

In another medium mixing bowl combine the egg, milk, and cooking oil.

Add the egg mixture all at once to the dry mixture.

Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy).

Fold in the crumbled bacon, onion and green pepper.

Spoon HALF of the batter into the prepared muffin cups.

Place one cheese cube in the center of each muffin, then add the remaining batter to the muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.

Bake in a 400' oven about 20 minutes or till done.

Remove muffins from muffin cups and cool slightly on a wire rack.

Serve warm.

Makes about 12 muffins.

Some helpful hints:

1. When stirring muffin batter, really, there should be lumps!

If you stir out the lumps, your muffins will be tough.

2. ALWAYS have oven preheated. As soon as the batter is mixed,

pop muffins into the preheated oven right away.

3. To avoid soggy sides and soggy bottoms (oh no!), cool muffins in their baking pan only as long as directed in the recipe.

I generally pop them out as soon as I take them out of the oven.

c.1891

Morning Glories, September Flower of the Month

Make your muffins the day before, and heat them in your microwave the next morning about 15 seconds for 1, depends on your microwave.

HAVE A LAUGH-FILLED DAY!

inkspired

www.inkspired.etsy.com

What Poland and California have in common

czesc

pronounced 'cheswhch'

Polish for "hi"

a just-bursting-from-the-pod red poppy

So what in the world do California, USA have in common with

the country of Poland?

poppy necklace including free earrings, by www.RachelleD.etsy.com

The red corn poppy is the floral emblem of Poland, set against a blue sky.

www.aeleppo02.etsy.com

The State Flower for the state of California, USA is the golden poppy.

Now, I realize that the red corn poppy is red,

and the golden poppy is kinda' orangeish,

BUT

they are both from the same category - the poppy!

vintage 1970 botanical print, www.NaturalistCollection.etsy.com

So today I celebrate the Month of August Flower

the poppy

and the Floral Emblem of Poland

the red corn poppy

and the State Flower of California

the golden poppy.

punched, cut and shaped flowers on 2 greeting cards

Floral designs from Dover. I think the bottom right one looks like a poppy.

Scandinavian Glansbilleder, 'Poppy girl', courtesy of OrigamiBears

Here are some beautiful photos of places in Poland:

postcard for Ziebice

Poland's Coat of Arms

Now let's throw a little California in -

Remember - you can right click on any photo/graphic

and it usually comes up bigger.

These golden poppies are growing in a parking lot in CA!

California state bird and flower.

Can anyone tell me what the state bird for California is?

You can tell me in the COMMENTS section of my blog,

or you can e-mail me here:

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Poppy Plate Clock

www.makingtimetc.etsy.com

"Summer set lip to earth's bosom bare,

And left the flushed print in a poppy there."

- Francis Thompson

double poppy hybrid

from ferenc.biz/red-corn-poppy-pictures-national-flower-poland/

In Persian literature the red corn poppy flower symbolized love.

It is often referred to as the eternal lover flower.

poppy earrings and adjustable ring,

www.HoneyCase2.etsy.com

I found these pretty to-color costumes in my files.

The one on the right is "Polish".

 

poppies table runner from www.ivyandhollychristmasshop.com

Here is a pretty costume from Liana's blog.

I think the flowers on the dress look like yellow poppies!

a wood album to use as a guest list, photo album, wedding memories, etc.

www.elizalenore.etsy.com

One of my favoritist muffins is the Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin.

(I can make up words like 'favoritist' because it's my blog!!!)

Here is a recipe I turn to again and again:

torn from a Ladies' Home Journal, October 1991



Lemon poppy seed muffins:

prep. time 10 - 15 minutes

preheat oven to 400'.

Grease twelve 2 1/2" (regular size) muffin pan cups. Or use paper liners.

Whisk together in a medium bowl:

1/4 Cup butter or margarine, melted (I like to use butter), cooled for a bit

1 Cup milk

1 large egg

1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel (I use the pre-powdered kind)

Combine in a large bowl:

2 Cups all-purpose flour (since I'm high altitude, I like Hungarian Flour brand)

1/3 Cup sugar

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tablespoon poppy seeds

Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until combined. (over beating makes a dull flat muffin)

Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.

(I usually have enough batter for more than 12.)

Bake 20 - 22 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center of muffin comes out clean.

(I like the re-usable cake tester from Pampered Chef)

While just out of the oven, spoon/brush topping over hot muffins.+

Cool in pans on wire racks for 5 minutes.

Remove from pans and serve warm,

       or cool completely, wrap well and freeze up to 1 month.*

 + Topping:

Combine 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice.

Brush on after baking. Lemon juice in the bottle works just fine.

*To reheat, loosely wrap each muffin in a paper towel and microwave on High 15 - 20 seconds.  I would NOT put on the sugar glaze topping when freezing. Then when the muffins are re-heated I would brush on some glaze after microwaving.

stained glass style coloring page from Dover

Little Trivia Fact:

Corn poppy flower leaves and latex have an unpleasant taste

and are mildly poisonous to livestock and wild animals.

Apply:

DO NOT add poppies as garnish for food,

or in the food,

or in the ice bowl!

This way would be okay.....

:0)

vintage 1960 demitasse cup and saucer

www.savingsuburbia.etsy.com

or to keep healthy, you could decorate with poppies this way.....

vintage 1940's hat with straw, netting and poppies

www.HartsCloset.etsy.com

I know, I'm just being silly!

Truthfully however, I think poppies look super on anything!

on sale right now at www.sweethomeboutique.etsy.com

More punched flower cards. The flowers on the right are poppies -

This is a wonderful vintage AVON pin:

available at www.jjjbyrd.etsy.com

Now I feel I can't mention Poland in any length without noting my extreme respect for the Polish peoples in demanding a free government,

and freedom from communism.

Without Poland, would the Iron Curtain still be up in Berlin?

Have a happy, poppy sort of day!

Poppies in Flanders Field

inkspired

www.inkspired.etsy.com

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Do You Know The Muffin Man? more nursery rhymes

Salem

(Kazakh for 'hello')

I took this picture from our car window in Estes Park ,CO.

Those are elk with elk babies.

Do you know the Muffin Man?

The Muffin Man? The Muffin Man.

Do you know the Muffin Man?

Who lives in Drury Lane?

Yep, I'm gonna' be singing that all day....

c.1913

"One of the very nicest things about life

is the way we must regularly stop

whatever it is we are doing

and devote our attenton to eating."

- Luciano Pavarotti (and William Wright)

from 'Pavarotti, My Own Story'

The following recipes are from

'Better Homes & Gardens new Cook Book'

c.1968, 8th Edition, Seventh Printing, c.1974



My all time favorite that I fall back on again and again:

Best-Ever Muffins

makes 12+

1 3/4 all purpose flour

1/4 Cup sugar

2 1/2 tsps baking powder

tiny dash of salt

1 well-beaten egg

3/4 Cup milk

1/2 Cup canola oil, or melted shortening

Heat oven to 400'

Sift dry ingredients into bowl; make well in center.

Combine egg, milk and oil. Add all at once to dry ingredients.

Stir quickly just till dry ingredietns are moistened.

Fill paper lined muffin pans, or well greased muffin pans 2/3 full.

Bake at 400' about 25 minutes.

Now here is the extra fun part:

Blueberry Muffins:

Prepare batter above.

Gently stir in 1 Cup fresh or thawed and well-drained frozen blueberries.

and more fun....

Jelly Muffins:

Prepare muffin batter above.

Before baking, top batter in each pan with 1 tsp. tart jelly.

(Really, any kind of jelly works!)

and MORE Muffin Fun:

Cranberry-cube Muffins:

Prepare muffin batter above .

Fill muffin pans 1/3 full.

Cut 1 Cup canned jellield cranberry sauce in 1/2" cubes;

     sprinkle over batter.

Add remaining batter.

Bake as directed.

c.1914

"Never eat more than you can lift."

- Miss Piggy

littlereadersapp.com

"I did toy with the idea of doing a cook-book...

The recipes were to be the routine ones:

how to make dry toast, instant coffee,

hearts of lettuce and brownies.

But as an added attraction, at no extra charge,

my idea was to put a fried egg on the cover.

I think a lot of people who hate literature

but love fried eggs

would buy it if the price was right."

- Groucho Marx, Hollywood comic actor

from 'Groucho and Me', c.1959

mothergooseclub.com

Here is another all time favorite,

from the same BH&G new Cook Book:

Oatmeal Muffins

makes about 12 - 18 muffins

1 Cup quick-cooking rolled oats

1 Cup milk

1 Cup all-purpose flour

1/3 Cup sugar

3 tsps baking powder

tiny dash of salt

1 well-beaten egg

1/4 Cup canola oil or melted shortening

Heat oven to 425'.

Combine rolled oats and milk; let stand 15 minutes.

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and tiny dash of salt into bowl.

Combine egg, oil and oatmeal mixture.

Add all at once to sifted dry ingredients, stirring just to moisten.

Fill greased muffin pans, or paper lined muffin pans 2/3 full.

Bake at 425' for 20 - 25 minutes.

These are some add-ins that I have experimented with, and like:

Add to the batter:

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1 pared, and chopped apple

Sorry, I didn't get the name of this artist,

but he has done some fantastic art of nursery rhymes!

I'll track his name down and let you know later.

chocolate chip muffins

"Dessert...too much of a good thing

 is wonderful."

- Mae West, self made Hollywood star, writer, producer

Strawberry Muffins with white chocolate chips & frosting

Hmmm...

it's hard to pick just one more favorite.

This is one of my husband's faves, so I'll give you that one!

Peanut Butter Muffins

makes 18

2 Cups all-purpose flour

1/2 Cup sugar

2 1/2 tsps baking powder

tiny dash of salt

............................................

1/2 Cup chunky or smooth peanut butter (I always use chunky)

2 Tbs butter or margarine

1 Cup milk

2 well-beaten eggs

.............................................

1/4 Cup currant jelly, melted

1/2 Cup finely chopped peanuts

..............................................

Heat oven to 400'

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and tiny bit of salt.

Cut in peanut butter and butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (If you don't have a pastry cutter - get one! They are perfect for this recipe, and many other uses also)

Add milk and eggs all at once, stirring just till moistened.

Fill greased or paper lined muffin pans 2/3 full.

Bake in hot oven (400') for 15 - 17 minutes.

This is where I stop, and just serve them.

The recipe calls for this one more step:

Immediately brush tops with melted jelly; dip in peanuts.

Serve hot.

vinyl children's record

I'm not going to give specific directions for these next couple of muffins, but I think we can all figure them out!

Tint your muffin batter with just a couple of drops of green food coloring. Your'e going for a light green.  Chop up 1/2 Cup to 3/4 Cups pistachio nuts - natural, not dyed red! Add these to the batter right before you are ready to scoop into your muffin pans.

Yum!

This also gives me ideas for St. Patrick's Day muffins...

Mocha Chocolate Chip Muffins

Experiment! Try instant coffee to get the mocha taste.

Or, just search online. Tons of recipes there!

c.1909

"As for butter versus margarine,

I trust cows more than chemists."

- Joan Gussow

Neopolitan Muffins

Mix up 3 batches of plain muffin batter.

Divide into thirds.

Tint 1/3 light pink

Tint 1/3 with a bit of cocoa powder for light brown

leave 1/3 alone

Drop a tsp. of batter #1 into the paper lined

or greased muffin pans. Follow with 1 tsp. of color #2,

follow with 1 tsp of color #3.

Voila!

For the pretty presentation, be sure to remove paper liners (if you have used them) before serving.

c.1911

"In examining the potential of individuals, we must focus on their strengths

 and not just their mistakes.

We cannot be limited

by what they may have spilled

in the kitchen."

- William Pollard

I'm ending today with a picture of my son's favorite muffin:

Lemon Poppy seed Muffins:

Go forth and bake!

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com