Seven Things on a Saturday

1. I. HATE. WINTER. And this week has FELT like winter. Most unusual for the first week of September in the south!

2. It finally feels like fall again. I don't really like fall either. I mean, it's OK. Pumpkin, cloves, apples, football, cinnamon, helping out with Trunk-or-treat at church, ginger, Pumpkin Spice Frappucinos, nutmeg, hot cocoa, oh and Thanksgiving. But I am still more of a spring/summer person.

3. Speaking of Pumpkin Spice Frappucinos, I drank one yesterday and now my lactose intolerant stomach is punishing me. But i can't give them up. It's like an abusive relationship.

4. I wore a white shirt yesterday, and I added white shoes to go to the football game. What. A. Rebel.

5. The reason i wore white shoes to the game was that my silver flats broke for the millionth time and I had to reglue them for the millionth time. #ineverlearn.

5. I want a pair of furry boots this winter. And a pair of cowboy boots, if I can find some that look feminine.

6. If you're still reading this, I love you. In a non creepy way. 

7. I woke up this morning and was greeted by this:

Pumpkin Chip Muffins

( slightly adapted from Taste of Home)

2 1/2 c self-rising flour

2 c sugar

1/2 c whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 egg

3/4 c egg white

1 can (15 oz) solid-pack pumpkin

1/2 c unsweetened applesauce

1/4 c canola oil

1 c semisweet chocolate chips

Combine flours, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another bowl, combine egg, egg white, pumpkin, applesauce, and oil, stir into dry ingredients till just moistened. Stir in chips. Coat muffin cups with cooking spray, fill 2/3 full with batter. Bake at 400 for 18-22 minutes. Yield: 2 doz.

Happy Weekend!

Mellie

Banana Bread #2

Banana bread is so cliche, but how could you get tired of its moist, not-too-sweet, amazing goodness?

 There are soo many variations- blueberries, chocolate chips, nuts, and coconut are just a few things people add to make a delicious bread even better.

It's so easy to make! It was one of the first things I ever baked by myself. Of course, I messed up a few times-once I used all purpose flour, and another time I left out the bananas. Don't judge.

I know I already have a banana bread recipe on this blog, but I decided to share this yummy version I made last week. It is the best recipe I've ever had, period. The hint of lemon sets it apart from other banana breads, without being overpowering.

Don't be bored by banana bread! Make this!

Banana bread

from Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader

3/4 c sugar

1/3 c butter, at room temperature

2 eggs, at room temperature

1/4 c sour cream

2 tsp lemon juice

3 large ripe bananas, mashed

2 tbsp grated lemon zest

2 c self rising flour

1 c walnuts, opt

Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy, about 8 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beat well after each addition. Add sour cream, lemon juice, zest, and bananas and beat well.  Stir in flour until just blended. Add walnuts, if desired, and mix till just incorporated. 

Pour into a greased 9x13 in loaf pan, bake at 350 for 55 min.

Trust me, you want to make this. You really do!

Have a good night!

Mellie

Today

Hello! It's been awhile since I posted, I have many things to share!

First, this morning I made chocolate sauce from a Teenage Gourmet.  I put it in my coffee and added skim milk and a bit of extra sugar for a delicious mocha!

I enjoyed it with a really good book  on the porch, basking in the sunshine. I don't know about y'all, but I'm having more and more visions of myself, looking tan and lovely, lying on the beach in my new sunglasses, sipping lemonade or sweet tea or maybe some sparkling grape juice. I don't know, I haven't given it that much (cough) thought. 

Except I'll never be tan and lovely, just pale and freckly. Whatever.

Lunch was a salad:

Swiss Chard and Romaine Lettuce, chopped

3 strawberries, sliced

1 tbsp walnuts

1 tbsp almonds

1/2 tbsp feta 

1/2 tbsp parmesan

1 tbsp dried cranberries

freshly ground black pepper (I just recently discovered how good it is on salads!)

balsamic vinegar (I'm normally not a dressing girl but this was good)

 Jenna @ eat live run posted something similar the other day. I'm not a spinach lover, though.

Then I made some banana bread from Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader:

1/3 c vegetable oil

1 1/4 c granulated sugar

2 large eggs, beaten 

3 large very ripe bananas, mashed

1 1/2 c self-rising flour (the original recipe calls for 1 1/2 c all purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt)

1/3 c buttermilk

3/4 c chocolate chips (My own addition)

Preheat oven to 350. Cream oil & sugar till light and creamy.  Beat in eggs. Add bananas, mix well. Add 1 c flour and mix well, then add half the buttermilk and mix well. Add remaining flour, then add remaining buttermilk till just blended.  Pour batter into greased 9x5 in loaf pan, bake 45 min.

To spread on the bread, I made peanut butter cream cheese from teenage taste. Sooo creamy and delicious!

Oh, I also did a Pilates workout today. Who do you think I am?

Overall, it's been a delicious day. Thank you to Jenna, Erika, Sami, and Jan Karon for the recipes!

Have a good rest of the weekend!

Love,

Mellie

PS I know colored words are a poor substitute for pictures; it's not my fault the computer won't read the memory card!

Biscuits

Every proper southerner loves biscuits in every form or fashion.

Clearly, I am not a proper Southerner.  I would much rather eat (and bake) a yeast roll or French bread or a muffin.  But I  DO love my grandma's and my mom's biscuits!

My mom told me she would show me how to make my Granny's biscuits, but I'm not sure.  Something about dumping ingredients randomly into a bowl bothers me. Fortunately, my mom has a real recipe for biscuits that is delicious and easy!

  Biscuits: 

2 c flour

1 c heavy cream or half and half

mix everything together till just combined. Pat out on a floured surface. Cut into circles. Bake at 475-500 for 10 min.

Tips: 1. Do not overmix or overhandle, or biscuits will be tough.

2. When you the dough is on the floured surface, don't get much extra flour in the dough.

See? Very simple, very little time, and very very good!

 MMM!!

Happy evening,
Mellie =)

Granola

At last, a healthy recipe!

I love this recipe for granola. It is not really sweet or dry like boxed granola. It is a great little breakfast or snack, and it has lots of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.  And it's really easy to make!

This is the basic recipe, but it's also good with different kinds of nuts (I love cashews) or dried fruits. (I like cranberries or dates best.) Or you could add more honey and make granola bars!! Just do whatever... no ingredients are unwelcome.

4 c. old fashioned oats

1 c dried coconut

2/3 c each walnuts, pecans, almonds, pumpkin/sunflowers seeds

1/2 t salt

1/2 t cinnamon 

1/2 c canola oil

1/3 c honey

1/2 t vanilla

Mix dry ingredients in a big roasting pan.  Stir in wet ingredients.  Bake at 325 for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  Let cool, stir often while cooling.

     Love,

    Mellie