French Breakfast Muffins

Ryan especially loves these.  He's keen on the sugar and cinnamon topping, I prefer mine plain with my tea so there's always one in the dozen that's not dipped in the sugary stuff.  These store well and freeze well, but don't last long enough at our house for that to matter.

French Breakfast Muffins
Prep: 15 minutes  Bake: 20 - 25 minutes

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar

Topping:
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted

1. In a mixing bowl combine flour, the 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.

2. In another bowl beat egg slightly; stir in milk and 1/3 cup melted butter.  Add egg mixture to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened ~ the batter may be lumpy.  Lightly grease muffin cups. Fill cups about two-thirds full with batter. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until muffins are golden.

3. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl combine the 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon. Immediately dip tops of hot muffins into the 1/4 cup melted butter, then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated. Serve warm. 

Yield:  12 small muffins.  This recipe doubles well!!  I pretty much always make a double batch.

Make-Ahead Tip: Bake muffins as directed. Cool completely. Place muffins in freezer containers or bags and freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, wrap frozen muffins in heavy foil. Heat in a 300 degree F oven for 15 to 18 minutes.

This is one the Go-To staple recipes in my files.  It's easy and quick.  I enjoy one for breakfast cut in half and spread with a bit of jam.  You can also drop any of your favourite fruits into the batter to bake.  Give them a try!  Would love to hear what you think of French Breakfast Muffins. 

Be well, eat well and take care!

Because one just isn't enough & "Dark and Stormy"

This is another "not" Noro Striped Scarf a la Jared Flood's formula.

To see Details from my other one click here.

I had 2 tan balls of the Rowan Tapestry in stash and the blue/gray ones were on clearance for 40% off.  How could I not knit this again?... so this is a 1/2 stash busting project.

Now check out this knit pictured below!  There isn't anything I don't love about it:  the shawl collar is flattering on everyone, the colour - well, y'all know I'm nuts about gray.  The detail and shape of this garment is retro and yet cutting edge for today's knits.  I. Must. Knit. This!!  I can see myself trucking around town all stylish with a smile on wearing this cardigan.  And maybe my new boots.

These three 'Dark and Stormy' photos are courtesy Thea, copyright 2010 Splityarn (who takes awesome photos!!)

I can't stop thinking about this pattern.  Thea Coleman and Sarah Dimond have collaborated to release "Dark and Stormy".  If you're not on Rav click here for Thea's blog post.  I didn't get the yarn Sarah's selling to kit it (not that I didn't try!), and when I tried to sub Madeleinetosh worsted there wasn't anything in darks that I liked.  My weakness?  Lisa Souza in mahogany.

I'll be stalking my mail box for yarn to show up and casting on asap!  Thanks Thea and Sarah for what I think is the most appealing and wearable pattern for Fall 2010.  I'm biased I'm sure, I LOVE this pattern.  I'll be knitting like a fiend on my current WIPs because the second the Lisa Souza goodness arrives I'll be ditching everything else to swatch.

Hoping to have this striped scarf completed before the weekend is out and positively itching to cast on for Dark and Stormy!  The pattern is available separate from the kit from Thea is you (like me) weren't able to get it all from Sarah.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful fall weekend!

edited to add:  Ha, ha, very funny - you know who you are!!  I will not "only" have on this cardigan, a smile and my boots -- there'll be pants too...  sheesh!  lol  Renee

FO ~ Mara Shawl

Details:

Pattern:  Mara free as a download from Madelinetosh on Ravelry

Yarn:  3 skeins of Madelinetosh dk in "Silver Fox" from stash, originally purchased from The Backwards Loop

Needles: 5.5 mm circs

I'm way behind in posting, Mara was cast on and off beginning of January just before I broke my finger.

The yarn is delicious, the colourway is one of my favourites.

Love my grays either darkly saturated or light and fresh.

Very simple pattern and a pleasure to knit.

This shawl is going to see a lot of wear.  It's an accessory that can easily be dressed up or down.

Autumn is my favourite time of the year.  I love the colour, the produce and especially wearing sweaters and boots.  I'm a boot gal and newly shod too!  My well worn, comfy barn and hiking boots have seen better days.  These are my brand spanking new ones. 

Love. Me. Some. Great. Boots!   Definitely not office or going out wear, but for outdoors, I'm most comfortable in something solid and warm.  They're "Lowa" brand and extremely comfortable.  I can feel a sock knitting spree coming on...

My funky boots are "Bogs".  They come in various heights and styles.  The colours and patterns range from plain black to all sorts of flowers and designs, are rated to -65 degrees and truth be told - there's never been a more comfortable rubber lined boot.  They take rain/winter boots to a whole new level with neoprene uppers and handles for easy on and off.   

Been doing a lot of painting in the house fall makes me feel nesty and creative.  My favourite blog to fuel my reno mojo is Kevin and Layla Palmer's The Lettered Cottage.  Fall is also when I drink tea non-stop.  Visit Claudia at Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog for great info about tea.  Thanks Claudia, you've upped my tea learning and pleasure.  I never thought to use a French Press and can't wait to try it.

Be well, be happy and have a great day,

Renee