Some "Dents" Made In a Couple Of Areas ~ Hooray !

"Just a tad "frosty" out there this morning with everything covered and white.  At least it was only heavy frost and not white with snow !"

This morning got off to a very busy start with a few projects happening.  I actually took the time to do a little bit of pre-advertising for the upcoming 2012 "Checkerboard Aussie" litter.  Only 20 more days or so to go !!!  Then a new 2012 puppy "saga" begins .....

I even managed to put some Peach muffins together.

"I think if I make these again, I would do the Brown Sugar on top as the recipe calls for, since I passed on it for less calories.  They were good and moist regardless."

Nectarine Muffins - adapted from Homestyle’s Cookies, Muffins and Cakes by  http://movitabeaucoup.com/

Yields about 18 muffins.

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 cup milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 heaping cup peeled, diced nectarine (1-2 nectarines)
1-2 tablespoons brown sugar for topping
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease or line 18 muffin wells.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon into a large bowl. Stir in the brown sugar. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl, mix together the butter and milk, and then stir in the lightly beaten eggs. Pour all at once into the centre of the dry ingredients, and then fold until just combined. The batter will be lumpy – don’t over mix.

Fold in the diced nectarines.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins and sprinkle a little brown sugar on to the top of each muffin. Bake for about 15-17 minutes, until golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack.

These were good, but really didn't top the recipe I made last week, but if you don't try new recipes, how is one to know?  This is what it is all about, trying this and that, adapting to your own tastes and needs, adding and/or taking away, messing up, having fun, sometimes not having fun .... the big wide World of cooking and baking.

Rob is off Monday, so today he did the final coat in the spare bedroom with the new paint we had gotten.  We were both very pleased with the colour this time ....

".... a nice soft green once it had completely dryed."

"Then we made an errand trip downtown, as well as to pickup the carpet we had purchased two weeks ago.  I can't wait until this room all comes together."

Once back home I decided to get back at the basement this afternoon.  Rob did a little decluttering at one end while I vacuumed up more dog hair and washed down a "grid" of the cement floor at the other end.

"Then the "whelping" pen was put together all in anticipation of the bundles of "yelpers".  LOL."

"There is Bandit.  Enjoy the peace and quiet now boy, as it won't be long until that will be all changing.  Trust me this cement floor was all washed down with Javex/water, however probably could use a fresh coat of paint some day year.  Oh and there is Bandit's gorilla, minus a nose and eyes."

The day just flew by getting this project and that project done, with another "run" into town, as we had forgotten to stop at the Bank when there earlier.  Before I knew it, it was time for supper .... Rob wanted Hamburger Helper, which I can't stand, so I compromised and made a macaroni and hamburger dish up that we both enjoy.

"One Pot Macaroni & Beef, Easy Peasy as 1-2-3., and Good too !"

Recipe, please:

One Pot Macaroni & Beef

(Recipe Source: Canadian Living)

 Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef  (454 g)

1 onion , chopped

3 cloves garlic , minced

1 sweet green pepper , chopped

2 carrots , thinly sliced

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil 1  (5 mL)

1/2 tsp salt (2 mL)

1/2 tsp pepper (2 mL)

1 can (28 oz/796 mL) crushed tomatoes

 2 cups (500 mL) Scoobi-\Do pasta

1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese  (50 mL)

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley up(50 mL)

Preparation:

In Dutch oven or large deep saucepan, saute beef over medium-high heat, breaking up with spoon, until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Drain off fat.

Add onion, garlic, green pepper, carrots, oregano, basil, salt and pepper to pan; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.

Add tomatoes and 3 cups (750 mL) water; bring to boil. Stir in macaroni; reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender but firm, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and parsley.

We have yet to try it "sprinkled" with cheese and parsley.  Maybe next time?

With supper all done and over with, I am hoping I can talk a certain "someone" into going for a little bit of a walk with me tonight.  Not too long of a walk, just something to "refresh" us before we call it a night, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".