Pumpkin Muffins

Today at work we will have a potluck for lunch and close a bit early! I decided to make quinoa with spinach, mushrooms, corn and walnuts. I also decided to make some pumpkin muffins for breakfast for all at work. So last night I made the batter and made a couple. I needed to see if they were worthy of bringing into the office. I think they past my test! This morning I woke up a little earlier than ususal and started baking the muffins. The recipe I found I felt had too much sugar. Here is my adapation of the recipe from SmittenKitchen. I believe she found it in the Gourmet Magazine from 2006.

Pumpkin Muffins

Gourmet, November 2006

1½ cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 15-oz can of solid pumpkin

1/3 cup vegetable oil (a little less than 1/3)

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice

3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon sugar

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon (heaping) I love Cinnamon!

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 cup walnuts

pumpkin seeds for topping

Put oven in middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Put liners in muffin cups.

Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin-pie spice, 3/4 cups sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in flour mixture until just combined. Add walnuts

Stir together cinnamon and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in another bowl.
Divide batter among muffin cups (each should be about three-fourths full), then sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Bake until puffed and golden brown and wooden pick or skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

Cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes, then transfer muffins from pan to rack and cool to warm or room temperature.

Cookies!

On Sunday I was in the mood for chocolate. I am trying not to eat as much sugar because of health reasons. But, I still need that fix! The cookies are very similar to a recipe I have made before. The difference is I used whole wheat flour and took most of the sugar out and replaced with applesauce. then I added some flax seed just because! They came out really moist and soft. 

Apron

95 % of the time I never where aprons. Just because I forget to put it on! On my trip to New York  I went to purl and spent some time looking at the many colors and patterns of the fabric that they carry. I realized that I could not buy any fabric because I just did not have the room to bring it home. But, I did get to buy two fat quarters of some pre cut fabric. It turns out that these two pieces that I took home were just beautiful! This particular fabric that I used, I did not want to ruin the pattern because it had large flowers on such a small piece of fabric. I got the idea to make a apron with the fabric. I did not have a pattern to make this apron I just guessed how to put it together from how I would like it to look. This was so simple and very functional, I will just have to remember to wear it!

Twice the Fun!

Today I went to a baby shower for a friend that I have known since I was 12. A few months ago she found out that not only was she preggers but she was having twin girls! When I found out I was so excited and shocked! I wanted to make her something the  girls could use and also not go out of it so fast. I decided to make two matching baby blankets but with different colors. I found a very cute fabric with little elephants, the fabric was fleece so it was very soft. I didn't want to do the blankets with pink because I knew she would get everything in PINK! I used a pokadot purple and green cotton as the contracting fabric. I also made these blankets because they are so simple and fast to make. I have to admit that my ends are not 100% straight, but that is handmade, right? 

Dance Rosa Dance!

A colleague at my work loves to dance! She always talks about going out and kicking up her heels with salsa music! I thought it would be nice to make her a bag where she can put her ID, some money, and lipstick in so she can kick her heels up! I am trying to not bake for birthdays right now because the holidays are starting soon and my whole company are on a health kick. Happy Birthday Rosa!

The Cat's Meow

After making several tote bags I had the scraps of the corners left. I have been throwing them away, but tonight I got a cool idea! Eli, my cat loves to play with my sewing tools, he loves playing with bobbins, and spools of thread. With the extra fabric I made a little cat toy. Take a look! I just filled it will extra fabric and sewed it up! Quick and hours of endless fun for Eli!

Where am I?

Well! I have been on a little vacation to the East coast. I took my first trip to New York and Philly! I visited a friend in New York. I got to ride the subway and walk around the city. I spend two days there and then took the trian to Philly for John's family reunion. John's dad's side of the family all live in the Philly are so they decided to have a family reunion. I will post pictures of my travels soon. I have been back for a few days and my computer is having problems downloading pictures. So please be patient and I will be back! Also, go vote!