Snippets from a Fun Weekend

Just got back from a nice weekend in the Mountains of Colorado. Daniel golfed, I got to shop in Oldtown Fort Collins (my favorite shopping place in the world), and we hiked, fished, cooked and relaxed and it was all glorious.

And though I wished I could have stayed longer and not had to work, it was nice to be back in my own bed last night. No place like home, I suppose. :-)

So here is today's Haikuesday helping.

Daniel's Celebrity Commentary

"It's Crowe vs. Quaid!"

Supreme Court Decision or

Meg Ryan's Love Life?

Drew's Lament

He woke up singing

"It's too late to 'pologize..."

Now we sing it too.

Vacation Ends...

Napping on my couch

Wearing ratty pajamas

So glad to be home.

Also, Charlie has pointed out that I should have been happy in the last post because he and my sister are coming home. So just for clarification: I am happy. :-) Love you both and can't wait for you to come home too.

-Over and Out-

The Big Stuff

Yesterday evening I helped my sister-in-law make cute little signs for her Kindergarten students. We made a N is for Noodles girl and glued pasta all over with Elmer’s Glue. Honestly, if teaching was just doing arts and crafts projects and not actually dealing with children, I would have been perfect for it. Luckily for Hayley, she is great with the kids too, so she gets the best of both worlds. J

Hanging out last night led me to ponder a few big life moments. Hayley is having several lately. She graduated with her teaching degree in May, started her first teaching job a few weeks ago, and she and Clayton are expecting their first baby in January. Is it possible for me to be more happy for them? Nope. When I think about them as parents, my smile pretty much pops off my face and runs around hugging random strangers.

And the happy doesn’t stop there either. Another friend is having a baby in November (with a Baby Shower to be held at my house soon), and today I found out that a long time friend had finally proposed to his long-time girlfriend. Joy is abounding in my friendship circle. Hooray!

So in honor of the big stuff, your Haikuesday:

Clayton & Hayley
three hearts beat in time when
they are together

Taking the big plunge
Isn’t quite as frightening
with your best friend there

Wiping dirty butts
Cleaning up vomit and spit
Glad to be an aunt. ;-)

Also, did you hear we are famous? My lovely friend Kamiah decided to write her own Haikus on her blog, Jane Austen Never Prepared Me For This, and she was inspired by our Haikuesday. Soon the whole world will be speaking in short 5/7/5 syllable sentences every Tuesday! My quest for Haikuesday World Domination is one step closer!!

Mwahahahaha…hahaha….ha…ummm…..

-Over and Out-

A Haikuesday Bluesday...

I am having a terrible time concentrating today. So instead of putting on headphones and blocking out the world to attempt to tackle the mountain of work on my desk, I've decided to reinstate Haikuesday. Here are a few Haikus regarding why I'm having a hard time getting any work done today.

The Annoying Co-Workers
a set of 3 haikus
(By Me)

Want to whisper next

to my desk and drive me mad?

Great. The line forms there.

Ears hear: Murmering

My head thinking: Murdering

Can I go home yet??

Turn up the music

But they just raise their voices

L. E. A. V. E.

And...they are still there.

My self control is being tested today. Hopefully, this time tomorrow I will be in the office and won't be on the run from the cops for taping everyone's mouths shut.

-Over and Out-

Muffins

In an effort to blog more, and for me to try new things with my blog, I've decided to post one of my all-time favorite recipes. So if you don't like cooking, deal with it. ;-)

When I cook, I generally do so with a lot of substitutions.

"This recipe needs more flour....and nuts. Mmmm."

"Mushrooms? Gross."

"Eh, that's probably enough Olive Oil."

But every once in awhile I come across a perfect recipe that requires no fiddling from me. Not only does it not need any additions or substitutions, it makes me have no desire at all to change it. I only want to eat it. Mmmmmmmm.

Beth's Favorite Banana Nut Muffins

(From Baked Alaska: Sweet Comforts from the North Country by Sarah Eppenbach)

My mom got me this cookbook when she visited Alaska several years ago, and it's been a go-to guide for a lot of great baked goods. But these muffins are the best.

Ingredients

1 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour

3/4 Cup sugar (plus additional for topping)

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 Cup chopped walnuts or pecans (I've tried both. Walnuts are my favorite)

1 egg

1/4 Cup milk

3 ripe, medium bananas, well-mashed (1 to 1 1/4 cups)

6 Tbsp butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin, or line with papers. (I also grease cause I think muffins with paper are un-American. Or at least un-Bethian. I use Wilton's Cake Release and I never have problems with sticking)

Sift the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt into a large mixing bowl. (I hate to sift, so I never do. I just mix up all those ingredients with a whisk and it works fine) Stir in the nuts. In another bowl, beat the egg lightly, then mix in the milk, banana, and butter. Add to the dry ingredients all at once, and stir only until combined. Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until browned.

Allow the muffins to rest in the pan 3 to 4 minutes before removing. Dip the tops in granulated sugar and place on a rack to finish cooling. (Or place on a plate, cut, butter and enjoy.)

-Over and Out-