Blackberry Muffins

Last week I decided to try another muffin recipe. I just like making muffins because they're handy for both Ben + I to grab on the way out in the mornings.

I happened to have some frozen blackberries that I wanted to use up, so I looked up recipes until I found one that I wanted to try. Luckily, I had just picked up a few of the ingredients the day before so I was already set.

The recipe I used was actually for blueberry muffins, but worked just fine with blackberries.

Here's the recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 T. baking powder
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1 1/4 stick (10 T.) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 C. sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 C. yogurt (calls for plain, I used natural vanilla)
• 1 1/2 C. berries
• 1 T. flour (if using defrosted berries)

Directions:

1. Adjust the oven rack to the middle-lower part of the oven + preheat to 375 degrees F.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. set aside
3. In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.
4. Mix in half of the dry ingredients until incorporated. Then one third of the yogurt. Mix in half of the remaining dry ingredients, then the second third of yogurt. Beat in the remaining dry ingredients, then the remaining yogurt. Again, mix until ingredients are just incorporated. Do not overbeat.
5. Fold in the berries. If using frozen, defrost first, drain excess liquid, then coat with a light dusting of flour before mixing in.
6. Using a standard 12 muffin tin, coat each cup lightly with olive oil. (I used the pray version). Distribute the batter evenly among the cups.
7. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Test with a long toothpick to make sure the center is fully baked. Cool for 5 minutes, remove from tin and serve slightly warm.

Makes 12-16 muffins.

I was so pleased with how large these turned out. They were delicious right out of the oven. However, they were a bit crumbly after a day or two, but really great heated with butter. 

Senior Year

This year is my little brother's senior year of High school. It kills me. He is 11 years younger than me, my sister is 9 years younger. Needless to say, it makes me feel old to know that this time next year they will both be in college.

whoah.

Anyway, I did my sister's senior photos year before last and I took some of my brother over the weekend. I hope to take more {we couldn't convince him to change outfits and keep going} soon. I'm thinking at the park or somewhere with lots of colorful leaves when they start changing a bit more. All of these were taken at my parents' place.

{this one is mom's favorite- she was obsessing over his "baby blues"}

{had to go with some artsy lens flares}

{I had to sneak myself into one. Can you feel the love?}

What do you think?

CSN stores

I have a couple reviews coming up for CSN stores. They have hundreds of online stores with pretty much any item you can think of from console tables to cribs. Their prices are super competitive, I encourage you to check them out soon!

my favorite reads part II

Last week's list of recommendations was not long enough to include everything I read. Even with a second part to the post, there are still many others I haven't included. I may {or may not} do a third installment. For now, please click all these lovely links and enjoy the reads.

Dooce
This is a recommendation for the very few of you who may be oblivious to the existence of Heather Armstrong. I stumbled across her blog over a year ago when I was pregnant with Malakai and she was also expecting her youngest daughter, who is just a month older. At first I was turned off by her sometimes foul language and her crass humor, but I stuck around for the sarcasm, wit, and overall weirdness.

Today's Letters
I did a little review that featured today's letters here pretty recently. This blog makes me smile on a daily basis, and has really inspired Ben + I to find more time for each other. I wish the Loerke's lived closer, I have a feeling we'd be good friends. I also have a feeling a lot of people feel that way about them, hence the immense popularity of her sweet little blog.

The Heir to Blair
This is another blog I discovered through The Bump message boards. I've followed "Blair's" (just her pen-name) story for almost 2 years now. Her family has been through a lot and her ability to be honest about it all is staggering.

Gussy
Maggie {aka Gussy} has been sewing adorable creations with ruffles on them for a relatively short time and is already doing what she loves from home full time. Her story is awesome, her blog is really fun to look at and her shop is irresistible.

The Anderson Crew
Emily's family is absolutely adorable. I can't remember how I came across her little piece of the internet, but I'm glad I did. She always has great pictures of her kids and I just love that half the time they're running around in just their underpants. They're also working on adopting a little girl from Ethiopia, which would make 5 kids under the age of 6!

You're welcome.
Happy Friday!

Thankful on a Thursday: back to basics.

I've noticed that my Thankful on a Thursday posts have been one of the only times {if not THE only time} that I chronicle our daily lives. I got backed up on a bunch of reviews and giveaways but am almost completely caught up. I'm going to take a break from any giveaways for a while and focus on the reason I started blogging in the first place. This means more posts about Malakai, what I'm doing around our new home, family updates, and most likely more cooking + baking.

This week I'm thankful for...


301. the beauty of the Harvest Moon {and Jupiter}. Be sure to check it out again tonight.

302. the sound of the wind + light rain patting on our huge maple tree as I carry my sleeping boy on my shoulder from the car to his crib.

303. having a very productive week. I got a ton of unpacking + organizing done in the guestroom on Tuesday.

304. Malakai's epic nap. I was able to get the previously mentioned things done because my amazing son napped for 4 and a half hours! I'm not counting on that ever happening again!

305. My good friend Jamie. Even though she was resting at home, feeling sick, she let me bring over my sopping wet laundry when our dryer broke. It was great to sit and chat with her on a Monday.

306. Saving money. Ben + I have cut extra expenses and we're starting to see the difference in our bank accounts. Motivation to keep saving instead of spending.

307. Our funny boy. Malakai was toting around the box of crackers, and I didn't realize he had turned it upside down and was shaking it until it was too late...

{confessions: we put them back in the bag...}

{...and let him eat one off the floor}

308. the day off. I have a day off because poor Henry is sick today. I'm not thankful that he's not feeling well, but I'm starting to feel under the weather and am hoping that resting today will help me fight it.

309. a heavier blanket to sleep under. I love the weight + warmth of a fluffy down comforter.

310. the forecast for warmer weather. I'm hoping my mom gets her birthday wish of 80 degree weather + a clear pool to swim in on Saturday.

What are you thankful for this week?