Blueberry Muffins.

It seems like  I have been making these muffins since the dawn of time.  In truth, the recipe is in a book that was given to me by my friend R.B. This book is called  "Lone Star Legacy".  She gave me this book when we moved from Texas the first time.  This equates to about 15 years of muffins.  I tweaked the recipe just a little.  Emeril would say that I gave it some "BAM!"  Either way, my husband loves them because they aren't too sweet and the flavor totally relies on the blueberries.  My 3 children love them....as evidenced by this picture.  Sorry ladies, but this boy is mine...

The guy will cross his eyes on command when he wants to be annoying.  It is a talent of his.  Some kids are musically gifted and some are athletic.  My "PRECIOUS" can cross his eyes at will.  He can also rotate them in opposite directions...... now that takes skill.  I can brag that all my children possess this talent.  Can money be made with this talent?  College Scholarships?  Employment opportunities?  Anyone?

Back to the Blueberry Muffins....You gotta make these.  They are so much better than the box mixes.  They are simple.  They are blueberry.  Love .....

2 cups flour
1/2 cup of sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup milk- I use skim milk.
1/3 cup canola oil or applesauce
1 egg, slightly beaten
sugar, for garnish (turbinado sugar really looks pretty if you have it!)

Combine the dry ingredients with the blueberries.
Combine the wet ingredients and stir into the dry.
Sprinkle with the sugar.

Bake @ 400 for 20-25 minutes.  Enjoy!  Your family will thank me & you for this!  I promise!

Tramp got a hair cut!!!!

Isn't this guy the cutest dog ever????  He is 2 1/2 years now.  

103 little Excuses...

103 Excuses for All Occasions Just in case you are looking for one, here's a handy-dandy little list of excuses for future reference. You should be able to find something here to suit almost every occasion that requires an excuse for a goof, mistake, oversight, or need to say no to something you should not or do not want to do. I didn't mean it. I didn't do it. Wasn't me. Someone else did it. The little man did it. The dog ate it. The cat carried it away. Don't know what you're talking about. Huh? You've confused me with my evil twin. I was in Alaska. I don't drive that kind of car. I joined the Rotary Club and was too busy rotating things to have done that. You must be talking about the new girl. I never park my car there so it couldn't have been me. Grey's Anatomy is on. My cellphone was dead. The Internet was (is) down. I had to (have to) reboot my computer. I didn't get enough sleep. My car is out of gas. My husband took my keys with him. A water pipe broke in our backyard. All of my exercise clothes are in the washer. My shoelace broke. I need a new battery. I have a virus. My computer has a virus. I'm too old. I'm too young. I'm afraid I'll make a mistake. So-and-so will get mad at me if I do that, so I better not. The football game is on. I had (have) a flat tire. They were out of that. That's not good for people. That's just the way I am. I just had surgery. I don't know how to do it. It snowed last night. I have to wash my hair. I don't have time. Project Runway is on. The can opener broke. I need to take time off of work to do that, and I can't take time off. I fell asleep. I was busy talking to [name] and couldn't be interrupted. I was at the hair dresser's. My hem ripped. I don't know where to begin. I need to go shopping. I need to clean out my refrigerator. I need to clean my kitchen. I don't have any healthy recipes. My family doesn't like healthy food. I don't have time to cook. I don't have the right ingredients. Other things are more important. It's time for bed. My brain is tired. I'll start tomorrow. I'll do that when I get rich. It's a waste of money. I can't do it. The Boogie Man will get me. They stole my chance. I only get one chance per life and that was it. It's easier if I don't try it. I'm comfortable right now. It takes too long to learn. I'm too old to learn new things. I don't have time to learn new things. It's the other person's fault. Talk to them. My alarm didn't go off. I woke up late, and there wasn't time. I forgot the time. I had a crisis I had to take care of. I lost my keys. I had a flat tire. I wrote down the date wrong. I thought I had more money in my account. I misplaced my phone. I went to the wrong address. I hit the wrong button. I ran out of paper. I ran out of printer ink. My hard drive failed. I just never got around to it. I meant to do it. It was on my list of things to do. I lost my list. Was that today? I thought it was tomorrow. Someone called me and made me lose track of time. I didn't think it would take so long to get here. Someday I'll do it. I just didn't think about it too much. I tried once. People like me can't do amazing things like that. I don't have enough talent. I'm too lazy. I don't want to. Please make my excuses for me. Facebook...I needed to update my status. Pinterest...

Edna Mae is in the house.

In a previous post, I mentioned that Ree Drummond should be my bff.  She inspires me daily....despite the fact that we have never met.  OK, she is on my bucket list.  Someday, I will meet her and we will hang out on her porch, drink iced coffee and watch the sunset. We will play with our cameras and catch up on local gossip.   I will also bring my daughter, M.G.  She will want to ride the horses.  My husband & the Marlbaro Man will build fences and drive cattle somewhere.  At the end of the day.......we will sleep at the lodge and make plans for Thanksgiving.  The other kids will play, ride and act like goof-balls.    


Ree introduced me to Edna Mae this past Christmas.  We love her....immensely. Unfortunately, I can't cross Ree off my list yet....  Santa just brought me her book.

Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes
1cup sour cream
7 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
a smidge of cinnamon


Mix that all together and cook on a buttered griddle.  Be prepared to mix up another batch. These won't last long.  They kind of taste like a funnel cake.   BTW.....  get out the maple syrup for these.  Save the Jemima for Jack!!!!  (Hungry Jack)

(isn't this guy cute.....  that little freckle on his cheek makes him pinchable!)

C.G. is my syrup-snob.  His sister bought him maple syrup for Christmas.

Maybe I should make him more pancakes now???

Friday the 13th.....I rambled.

Today was a big day at our house.  (The End.)  Yes, that sounds cryptic, mysterious and intriguing....but that is all I want to say.  Text or call me for more details if you are a curious friend or just curious.  The number is 867-5309.

As I entered into this day, I knew I needed something to kick my mind into thinking and doing.  Therefore, I blogged.  I needed to make some kind of treat for the teens at our church and I really didn't want to run to the grocery store in search of anything.  I don't want to get dressed and wear anything but the flannels until 3:30 this afternoon.....thus I cleaned out the pantry and googled.  I found a box of "confetti cake mix".  (My husband hates cake.  I am still wondering why I bought this box.  Most likely, it was on sale.)

Currently, I am calling this "Cake Mix Brownies".  Yep, that is boring.  If it is any good.....I will consider changing the name.  How does "Party in a Pan" sound?

My puppy licked the egg shells. (Maybe I shouldn't be publicly admitting this???)  Would the health department need to know this?  Oh dear, didn't I send these to church?  It is a good thing that prayer covers all kinds of mistakes.  Will they ever forgive me for letting the dog lick the eggs?  Wait, I should be more concerned about the Lord forgiving me for this mistake.   Oops.....I should stop rambling now.

My cast of characters for the morning event included..............

This was super easy..... melt a stick of butter.  Add it and 2 eggs to the dry cake mix.  

Mash it into a brownie pan.  Mix up the cream cheese & 2 cups of powdered sugar.

Spread that on top.  Bake it for about 30 minutes at 350*.  Cool and Cut.

This stuff was easy.  I think the teens will like it.

I cleaned out my pantry.  It was decent.  It was edible.  It looked pretty.  BAM.  

It might be better with a chocolate mix...What about flavored cream cheese??

p.s...   I found this recipe on the Duncan Hines web page.  

About last night......

Last night I was humbled.  We spent the evening at a bowling alley with friends.  We were carrying on a tradition established about 3 years ago.   The crowds have changed over the years.  Our friends, the Mizzell's moved to another state and were sorely missed.....  but mostly it has remained unchanged.  I love the faithfulness and security of friends.  We are so blessed to have this.

I ran into someone at the alley I hadn't seen in several years.  It turns out she has been going to my church for the past year or two and we have completely missed each other at every turn.  She has cancer.  This is her second time with that nasty stuff.   She has been sick for 2 years.  I was both saddened and amazed at her story.  She "wowed" me with her positive attitude.  She has a strong faith and voice that told of God's strength and how she just didn't understand how anyone without faith in God could make it through "having cancer."  She told of the strength she leans on for support minute by minute.  HIS Strength alone.   She left me feeling speechless......and guilty.

I have it all..... or at least I figured out so last night.   This year has given my immediate family considerable losses.   I won't bore any one with those details.   It has been a year complicated by loss, learning and living with a few other bad surprises thrown in for good measure.  It was a typical year for the average American family.  I am blessed.  AMEN.

I vaguely remember a book called.."The Grass is Always Greener on the other Side of the Septic Tank."  I think a book needs to be written named..."The Grass Could be Dead on the Other Side of the Septic Tank.  Go check for yourself, Child."

Next year, I will hang out at the bowling alley again with my BFF's and family  (Lord willing.)  That is something my friend J.C. might not be able to do next year.  All in all...... my personal growth questions for the year are simple.

1.  Have I relied on the Lord for my strength?
2.  Will I do so in the following year?
3.  What will I do in the year 2012 for Him?

Happy New Year New Me 2012!!!!!

p.s.....  I hope this New Year brings you lots of Peace, Love and Laughter.