Muffins & More

Ah...It feels good to sit down...Fridays are busy days here.  The usual stuff, but also it's good to get errands, like grocery shopping, done and house cleaning too.  I hate cleaning the house on the weekends!  I don't mind cleaning as such, just not on a Saturday or Sunday if I can help it.  Today in between cleaning stints, I did a little baking...mmm...MUFFINS! 

I baked two different kinds of muffins.  First I had to make these Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins, a recipe I came across earlier this week.  Can you see the ribbons of cream cheese filling and strawberry jam?  Oh, but the picture doesn't do these muffins justice...This recipe isn't mine, but I had to share the finding and making of it.  I changed the recipe a tiny bit.  For the cream cheese filling I used half a tablespoon per muffin instead of the recommended one whole tablespoon. I also added a couple drops of vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture to give it that little "extra".  I also increased the lemon zest from one teaspoon to about three and added a good squirt of lemon juice for good measure, as I though the recommendation was a bit skimpy.  All these adjustments worked great.  Be prepared for some of the filling to ooze out a little while the muffins are baking.  If you get a chance, do make these--perfect weekend treat!

Because I didn't want the Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins to be lonely when I put a bunch of them in the freezer for later, I made a batch of my Best Blueberry Muffins.  This is my own recipe which you'll find In the Kitchen.  I used frozen berries, fresh are still too expensive at the moment.  So lots of treats for us to graze on in the weeks ahead.

And look at these treats!  A few more fabrics that I'd bought while in the States last month.  These are turning into some very pretty things.  I'm attempting to work on a few things at once, something I normally don't do, as I mostly like to focus on one thing at a time.  Since it's all very much in progress, pictures might not be all that interesting--LOL!  Unless you'd really like to see the disaster area that is currently my work room?  Trust me, you be glad to wait and see!

But I can show you a little knitting.  Remember the baby outfit I started?  These shortalls/overalls are inching along...because that's about how much knitting time I've had since I began work on them about two weeks ago.  I sure hope I can get these done by autumn when my friend has the baby...At the very least before the kid starts kindergarden--LOL!  I'm working on a size for a six months old baby.  New moms seem to get a lot of things for newborns, so I like to give something that can be kept for later after the little one's growing. 

Something else on the needles is this swatch I'm tinkering with in spare moments.  The pattern, with yarn overs, gives a lace effect, rather like fishnet stockings!  At first I thought this might work up nicely, continuously into a scarf, or with more stitches, a shawl.  Just playing around.  This light blue yarn is Brilla, a cotton-viscose blend.  It's lovely to work with and has a gorgeous satiny sheen.  I'm also wondering if the darker, more navy blue yarn would be more effective with this pattern...What do you think?  This dark blue yarn is also a cotton-viscose yarn from Drops Design Garn Studio.

The weekend looks busy here--tomorrow, Saturday, will be some shopping part of the day, also a little gardening as we have a few new plants to get in the ground.  Hopefully some time for crafting!  Sunday I must call Daddy, of course.  Wishing all the fathers in the States a very Happy Father's Day! 

Last week's heat wave has simmered down, thankfully...We're delighting in slightly cooler weather.  So is Charlie.  We hardly ever see much of him during the summer months, he just wants to be out all day and all night.  He only comes in for a quick bite to eat and drink, a scratch behind the ear and a cuddle...rather like a toddler!  hehehe...But this week, with the light chill in the air overnight, he's been staying indoors many a night this week...And here he is now, all ready for bedtime.  (He does have two ears, by the way!)  I'll let him say good night from us here...Happy Days! :o)

P.S. In case you were wondering...we did sample the muffins, and they were fantastic! 

Comments

[sara, the house of charm]

I think I have a date with that cute red palte and that Strawberry cheesecake muffin. Excuse me...

[Judy]

The muffins look lovely and delicious.

Judy

[Isabelle]

Your muffins looks so yummy, Tracy. Love your dotted cup and saucer - so cheerful. Can't wait to see what you've been making with those beautiful fabrics. (((hugs)))

[Britt-Arnhild]

I love your polkadot china :-)

[Tiffany]

Yummy! I sure do admire that way you put things together and take photo's! Everything always looks smashing.

Tomorrow I am going to make your veggie hash from the recipe section and definately the blueberry muffins. I love blueberry muffins!

Charlie looks to adorable! HUGS to the family!

[Stardancer]

You seem to be really enjoying your summer!

Thanks so much for sharing your travels, day trips, garden and crafts with us!

Hugs! :-)

[nikkipolani]

Scrumptious looking muffins! I'm very impressed that you knit so beautifully. I tried it once and decided I'd better stick to roses. Give that darling Charlie a kiss from me!

[ALLYSON]

I love the spotty dishes.
I wish I could still knit but I have arthritis in my elbow(yep-silly place to have arthritis!) so I love to look at other people's creations.

[marie]

Hi Tracy,

I agree with you about housework - I hate doing it at the weekend. Since I have been working weekends, everything has been pushed to Monday, which is now manic - yesterday I did grocery shopping, laundry and ironing!!!

Your baby outfit is looking good - I always find it easier to knit in Winter when it is cooler and I don't stick to the needles. Your muffins look tasty too.

Marie x

[Lisa]

Those muffins looked like they were delicious! I think once it cools off here I will have to try those as well as your blueberry recipe.
Thanks for sharing.