A Reminder of Warmer Days

In our ongoing days of unusually cold temperatures, I needed pictures to remind me of warmer days. 

Hope these can brighten your day, too.

Double Chocolate Muffins

I recently won a cookbook from Carole over at Carole's Chatter. If you don't know Carole, please stop by her blog, she always shares so many wonderful things! This cookbook was so fun for me to win because it was a MUFFIN cookbook, perfect for me!  I'm definitely looking forward to trying more of the recipes in this cookbook because they are just a little bit different from what I am used to....  the recipes are from New Zealand!

The first recipe I tried is Double Chocolate Muffins. Reasons for trying this recipe are obvious by the name, right? I have to tell ya, just from the batter, I knew they were going to be chocolatey bliss. Once sitting down to enjoy the finished product, they have the perfect crisp muffin top, and moist inside. And definitely, the right amount of chocolate!

Double Chocolate Muffins Adapted from (Marvellous Muffins by Alison Holst)

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
7 Tbsp butter
1 egg
1 cup yogurt (I used Greek Strawberry Yogurt)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
1/4 cup white coarse sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray 12 muffin cups with non-stick spray; set aside.  In large mixing bowl, sift dry ingredients.

In medium sauce pan, melt butter. After melted, let set for 5 minutes to cool. To the melted butter, add egg, yogurt, milk, and vanilla.  Stir until smooth.  Add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients. Fold together until all ingredients are moistened. Do NOT over mix.  Divide mixture evenly into prepared muffin cups.  Sprinkle each muffin with chocolate chips and coarse sugar.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Let cool in muffin pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.

Enjoy as many of them as you like, then repeat with another batch! (optional)

Sharing this at:
Weekend Potluck

Grandma's Favorite Sugar Cookie

I've shared before about Gram's Coconut Crisps that we were always treated to when visiting Gram and Gramp. Today, I am sharing the Favorite Sugar Cookie that we always had when we visited my Grandma. It was always fun that both grandmothers cooked different types of cookies, so there was always a different treat waiting! My grandma, almost always, had this sugar cookie on hand. Once in a while she would have a different cookie, or she would be out and we would get to help her bake some. Always a treat!

I haven't had this cookie in YEARS! I was so surprised when reviewing the church cookbook, that Grandma gave me when I was 5 years old, to find her name next to a recipe for sugar cookies. That had to be her signature cookie. Mine are missing her years of expertise, but this was definitely her recipe, and I am so happy to have it in my collection! Grandma's sugar cookie is a crisp cookie, with just the faintest hint of lemon. Perfect with a cup of tea!

Grandma's Favorite Sugar Cookie

1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
1 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp lemon extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
Nonpareils, optional or other seasonal sprinkles


In large mixing bowl, add powdered sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, butter, egg and vanilla. Mix until all ingredients are combined. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar.  Add dry ingredients to butter mixture, mixing until all ingredients are combined.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for one hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.  Scoop dough using a small cookie scoop, roll dough into balls, then roll in remaining granulated sugar.  Place on baking sheet several inches apart.  Flatten ball with fork that has been dipped in sugar. Sprinkle with nonpareils.  Bake about 13-15 minutes or until edges are a just turning a very light tan.

Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.

Sharing this at:
Treasure Box Tuesday
Weekend Potluck 
Simple Supper Tuesday

Random 5 Friday

Random 5 Friday

Our little bantam, Butterscotch, laid her first egg yesterday! That was a long time waiting.

Dental work is so discouraging in my family where bad teeth are in the gene's. I no more than recovered from last weeks dental procedure, and an old filling fell out. Ugh.

I usually prefer salty snacks to sweet ones.  But when I am standing in line at the grocery store, 9 times out of 10, I leave with a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup :)

I love my job, my employers, and my co-workers. It is so enjoyable going to work every day. I know how lucky and fortunate I am to be able to say this.

Vacation plans are in the works. The thoughts of warmer places are helping keep us warm. Even though it's more than a month away, it's still nice to know that it's coming!

Happy Friday Ya'll!

For todays link up with Nancy, click here