On Saturdays I reflect on simple thoughts and simple pleasures. My leads are somewhat similar to others in The Simple Woman's Daybook group, yet a bit different as well.
Outside my window...
Darkness. Almost time for bed.
A Picture to Share...
 |
| My Apple Streusel Muffins |
From the kitchen...
A friend gave me some fresh orchard apples from a day trip, and I made some apple streusel muffins with them. Yummm.... I've had this recipe in my notebook for a few years, and I can't remember which magazine I clipped it from to give proper credit. My guess is Taste of Home, but maybe not. Sharing the recipe with you.
I like the crunchy tops, so I don't glaze the muffins. These are especially good served warm.
Apple Streusel Muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1-1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups chopped peeled tart apples
Streusel Topping
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cold butter
Glaze
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon butter, melted
1/4 vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
- In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk the eggs, butter and vanilla.
- Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened (batter will be stiff).
- Fold in apples.
- Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full (I used silicone, no greasing).
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
- Cut in butter until crumbly.
- Sprinkle over batter.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (a few minutes longer for jumbos).
- Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Yield: 1 dozen
Noticing the sound of...
WVU ballgame while I sit with My Beloved.
Thankful...
That My Beloved is not a sports addict.
Thinking...
About the thousands of people in the stands. America is mesmerized by entertainment. As fans chant and wave their towels, it's reminding me of the Coliseum, as some of you will understand. The frenzy of crowd psychology. Chilling at times.
From the sewing room...
More Little Dresses for Africa. As of today there are 68 dresses in my sewing room in various stages of completion. I certainly haven't made all of them! They were made by several ladies in the church at our sewing bee and in their homes, and some are still being stitched. They're due to be completed at the end of the month. Eager to see how many we make total.
WVU ballgame while I sit with My Beloved.
Thankful...
That My Beloved is not a sports addict.
Thinking...
About the thousands of people in the stands. America is mesmerized by entertainment. As fans chant and wave their towels, it's reminding me of the Coliseum, as some of you will understand. The frenzy of crowd psychology. Chilling at times.
From the sewing room...
More Little Dresses for Africa. As of today there are 68 dresses in my sewing room in various stages of completion. I certainly haven't made all of them! They were made by several ladies in the church at our sewing bee and in their homes, and some are still being stitched. They're due to be completed at the end of the month. Eager to see how many we make total.
Learning...
Adjusting to My Beloved going back to work for a short term project.
This coming week I'm looking forward to...
Finishing the Little Dresses
From the garden...
Pulled up most of the zinnias this week. Hoping to get some chrysanthemums to replace them next week.
Around the house...
The upstairs bath is almost finished. Hooray! Bought towel rods, etc. today and picked up the vanity top yesterday. Just need to get some help to get it up the stairs. Too heavy for me to help.
A thought from my Quiet Time...
Adjusting to My Beloved going back to work for a short term project.
This coming week I'm looking forward to...
Finishing the Little Dresses
From the garden...
Pulled up most of the zinnias this week. Hoping to get some chrysanthemums to replace them next week.
Around the house...
The upstairs bath is almost finished. Hooray! Bought towel rods, etc. today and picked up the vanity top yesterday. Just need to get some help to get it up the stairs. Too heavy for me to help.
A thought from my Quiet Time...
Reading through the book of Acts. Currently in chapter 8 and finding it interesting that Samaritans were the first non-Jew converts. Samaritans, who had been considered heretics by the Jews, now becoming brothers in Christ. People who once repelled each other now repenting with each other.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
will you this moment His grace receive?
~ Julia H. Johnston
... for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, ... for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ~ Galatians 3:28
The Book Tree: A Christian Reference for Children's Literature by mother and daughter team, Elizabeth McCallum & Jane Scott. Perusing more than reading. It's a list of recommended classic children's books by age-level and children's books by Christian authors. It's a good resource with brief overviews of the books, but I'd like for some specifics on why the books were chosen. Sharing some comments from the authors with you.
As you select books for your children, we strongly suggest that you avoid cartoon versions of classic children's stories that water down the story visually and verbally. We also recommend that readers read unabridged books, and we have therefore excluded all abridged editions.... We also warn parents that children's sections of bookstores and the local public libraries are no longer safe places for young children to browse unsupervised. The latest children's literature reflects a tendency to focus upon sordid themes.
