christmas lemons...

they took nine months to grow. nine months! that is like making a baby. i got two. on ei made into my favorite lemon muffins. i guess that is liking eating your own baby but damn, they were delicious! i have one more lemon left and have to find something else good to do with it. my son is hoping for more muffins. they are really good. so here is the recipe i use. a little holiday gift to you. i wish i could give you all some homemade muffins!

Mani's Real Lemon Muffins

Muffin Ingredients:

1/2 cup oats
1 1/4 cup yogurt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup WS Fair Trade organic sugar plus 2 Tbsp. divided
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. lemon zest

Method: Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a muffin pan with muffin cups or brush with oil. Stir together the oats and yogurt. Set aside for at least 20 minutes or up to one hour, at room temperature. Mix together the flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the oat and yogurt mixture, eggs, vegetable oil, lemon juice and lemon zest. Add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture and stir with a wooden spoon just until blended. Divide evenly among the muffin cups and sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoon sugar.

Bake for 18 minutes or until the muffins spring back when pressed lightly with your finger. Cool on rack. Makes one dozen muffins.

besides muffin making, i am finishing up some last minute gifts. they look really nice and i will share some photos after they are given. i will be back with some other fun tings after the holidays. i hope you all are having a lovely december, and enjoying whatever holidays you may celebrate. the winter solstice was dark and rainy all day and we enjoyed staying in our pj's all day and watching christmas movies and appreciating the christmas cheer in our home.

nine...

nine!! happy birthday to my beautiful spirited baby boy! the boy they nicknamed "the little old man" in the nursery because he was such an old soul. the boy who hated to lay down as newborn because he always wanted to see the world. the boy who crawled at 5 months, walked at 8 months, ran at 10 months and never looked back. the boy who has only two favorite "toys" that he ever "plays" with... his wooden sword and his dear "bear bear". the boy with the biggest heart and largest imagination. i wish i could take a trip inside that magic world in his head... and oh, boy when he's ready to share it you better sit down because he can go on for hours! these has been the best years of my life and I can't wait for the next nine!! love you Bubba!! you are an amazing friend to all, an amazing big brother, and an all around amazing person!