beyond pinned

This craft would have made my canning and crafty grandmother proud.  It also stands as proof that I not only "pin" things, I make them--and my time spent on Pinterest isn't such a bad thing.

candles

I am enjoying, once again, the warm light of these candles.  It has been too long since I have used them and they are a beautiful addition to the living room in the new place that I call home.  There have been many reasons lately to have these candles lit--they are lit for the loved ones of mine and friends who need our healing thoughts.  They are especially lit for my littles ones as they adjust to their new surroundings.

{this moment}

Linking to Soulemama for a Friday ritual:

A moment that I will cherish, a chance meeting with this majestic animal.

Happy Friday friends!

{this moment} onstage

Linking to Soulemama for a Friday ritual.  This is a moment that I want to remember and reflect upon with such joy and excitement:

Wishing you a wonderful Friday!

{this moment} dig

Linking to Soulemama for a Friday ritual:

Coloring page compliments of my 3 year old--I think she did a great job staying in the lines!

Happy Friday!

pine mulch

I anxiously await the taste of our first strawberry this year.  I have switched to pine needle mulch this year as I read that it helps to produce a "wilder" tasting strawberry.  And, unlike the straw mulch used in years past, it's free and gathered from our land.  Regardless of any taste difference, I will probably proclaim these berries as the sweetest.
My oldest daughter was excited to learn of the wild strawberries she found in the asparagus patch and potted them in hopes of tasting the tiny berries.  I just love kids in the garden.

multigrain banana muffins with chocolate chips

The promise of warmer weather has not yet arrived and so my baking continues.  Hot muffins fresh from the oven are what I like to serve my little ones to help them start the day (it helps this mama too).

As you can see above, I baked some of the muffins with paper liners (I like using these) and others without.  These muffins have such a tender crumb that I would advise the use of paper liners.

My recipe is adapted from the Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins by King Arthur Flour

1/2 cup melted butter or cooking oil of your choice
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup mashed very ripe banana, about 2 medium of 1 1/2 large bananas
1 large egg (preferably free ranging)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup milk or half and half
1 1/2 teaspoons Bob's Red Mill Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups King Arthur White Whole Wheat flour
1 cup Ghirardelli mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup rolled oats
Streusel topping, if desired

1.  Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and stir with a whisk.
2.  In a medium bowl, beat together the butter and the sugar for approximately 3 minutes.
3.  Beat in the mashed banana, the egg, vanilla and the milk.
4.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat to combine.
5.  Stir in the chocolate chips and oatmeal.

At this point, you could scoop the batter into your muffin tins, top with streusel (if desired) and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven.  I like to make the batter up the night before and store it covered, in my refrigerator.  The next morning, I bake and serve these delicious muffins.

Do you have a favorite muffin or breakfast recipe?