Hello :) This is a fabulous recipe from a blog called joythebaker.com. My daughter Holly, told me about Joy The Baker's, delicious and funny blog! Since my daughter Holly, is coming over for a visit tonight I baked a batch of Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins. As you can see I did not add the icing to the tops (even though it looks pretty), because they were so tasty without it. The recipe calls for a spice called Cardamom. The Cardamom adds a wonderful flavor to the whole muffin (even though it is only in the topping). A suggestion for the less adventurous baker is to devide the filling topping into two separate bowls and add Cardamom to one bowl and make a few muffins with the Cardamom and a few without. At least you will know if you like it or not, and can say you tried it :) Don't be afraid to try new things! I bought my Cardamom at Cost Plus World Market (great price compared to some other places I checked) . You can also try Indian markets.

The sent of brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom, filled the kitchen with warm muffin goodness.



They really are delicious and the perfect dessert for a rainy day. What a sweet way to warm up the kitchen and share a little baking love with family.



**EASY CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS**

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt4 tsp active dry or rapid rise yeast
2/3 cup warm milk (100-110F; low fat is fine)
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg



**Filling/Topping**
2 tbsp butter, room temperature
2/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch ground cardamom



**Icing**
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp milk or cream.


Aimee's Tip: I have made these with the icing before. I divided the icing into two bowls and added cinnamon to one bowl, and drizzled the one without the cinnamon over the muffins first (waited a minute for the icing to set) and then drizzled the one with cinnamon over the plain icing. It gave a pretty lattice effect.



In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Dissolve the yeast in a measuring cup filled with the warmed milk, then stir milk mixture, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and egg into the flour mixture. Mix well, until very smooth. Pour into prepared pan and let rest for 15 minutes. While the dough rests, mix together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and cardamom in a small bowl using a fork until all the butter has been incorporated into the sugar and mixture is crumbly. Divide the batter between 12 greased muffin cups. Sprinkle evenly on top of rested dough and press the mixture down into the dough with your fingertips (or swirl in with a spatula.) Place pan into a cold oven, then set the oven temperature to 350F. Bake for about 20 minutes, until bread is lightly browned at the edges and the center of the bread springs back when lightly pressed. Some of the sugar mixture on top may still be bubbling. Cool for at least 30 minutes before whisking the powdered sugar and milk together to form an icing and drizzling it onto the bread. Serve warm. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.


Was just thinking I might just add some orange zest in the batter next time! Holly, I think we should try it, and let my fine readers know if it was a good decision. After all I can't tell my fine readers to try new things if I won't. Right? ! Until next time!

Blessings,
aimee

They Were Meant to Be

Hello :) It has been way too long since my last post! Whenever I say to myself I am going to blog more life gets hectic. So I have decided not to tell myself that any more, and just let it fly when I can. I bought this chair at an Estate sale for $1.00! It was used as a patio chair. Even though it was used for outdoors it was still very sturdy and begging me for a makeover. I bought the chair and later that same day found this material at an antique shop. Immediately in my head I saw my "new" chair wearing this material. They were meant to be together. Just a little peek of the finished product in the above picture :)

Right when I got home I unloaded her out of the truck, removed the seat, upholstered the seat, sanded, painted her,and attached the seat! In a perfect world (not mine) maybe this would have happened immediately when I got home, but it didn't. I unloaded her the next day, two weeks went by before I removed the seat, another day went by before I sanded, and put a fresh coat of paint on her. A few days later I put two more coats. A couple days after that I reupholstered and attached the seat to the chair! When I finally finished I loved how it turned out. I am looking forward to in the future giving more chairs slow makeovers.

Pretty material right?!




Now I just need to tag her and take her to my shop (booth) 21Cranberry Lane!

Maybe I'll do that next week ;)

Does anyone know the name of this style chair? I'd really like to know. I pray you are all doing well. What are you all working on? Now it's time for me to put my lovely scarf and sweater on, and leave the house to go out and do some CHRISTmas shopping. Why have I waited so late in the day to leave my house you ask? Because it is windy, freezing and I am enjoying my CHRISTmas music and hot chocolate while I blog :) Until next time!

Blessings,

aimee

QUANTUM FINISH SALE!

Hello :) Just thought I'd pop in and tell you about an amazing deal! I went to my local VONS Grocery Store, and found my favorite dish washing tablets on sale. Not only was Quantum on sale for $11.99 (45 tablets in each box =90), but they were buy one get one FREE! I love this brand. My dishes come out sparkly clean, and the dishwasher gets a good cleaning at the same time. I have been using this brand since it came out. They are a little pricey (excluding this awesome deal), but before I started using them I was having to set the dishwasher twice to get the dishes clean. I was sold after the first use. One thing I found out is I can't wash my aluminum cookware with Quantum,because it discolors them, but I don't mind washing them by hand. So if you have a VONS near you go on over and take advantage of this awesome deal!

Blessing,

aimee

Leftovers Can Be Delish

Hello :) When possible I am all about getting two dinners out of one meal! I had some leftover chicken breast, and tomato ,basil topping. I brought some Kalamata Olive bread, home from a recent trip to San Fransisco. I was invited by my daughter Holly to celebrate her bday in San Fransisco, along with her sisters and her bff. We had the best time and I am looking forward to going back! Any way they really do have the best bread in SF. So I got my skillet out and while that was getting good and hot I sliced some delish Kalamata bread, and spread some butter on both sides. Put the bread on the skillet to toast and added the chicken, tomato, basil topping, a slice of cheese ( of your liking), and toasted both sides! For my side dish I made more couscous and topped it with Kalamata Olives, and some crumbled Fat Free Feta Cheese! It was a huge hit! It was quick, yummy and refreshing. For dessert I served Fat Free Vanilla Yogurt topped with berries and homemade Granola.

After I used all of the tomato, basil topping this beautiful flavored Balsamic Vinegar was left. Instead of tossing it I toasted some bread and used it to dip my bread in. It was a tasty tangy snack.

Tip: When toasting bread in a skillet use real butter or oil. I have used Smart Balance Butter, and "butters" like it. Because some "butters" contain water it makes the bread soggy, and it sticks to the pan. Do you have a fave you like to make with leftovers?

Blessings,

aimee

Chicken Breast With Tomato Basil Topping

Hello :) The other day I was trying to decide what to make for dinner. Seeing that it was in the mid 90's, I wanted to make something light, tasty, and filling. So I went over to my favorite market Trader Joes. I love Traders! It's a small specialty market. I grabbed my cart and spotted some delicious vine ripe tomatoes. I'm thinking I have chicken breast in the fridge, these lovely tomatoes in my hand, and basil in the garden. This is what I came up with!

Chicken Breast With Tomato Basil Topping. Grab your skillet, add some extra virgin olive oil and preheat. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, and give it a little salt and pepper rub on both sides. Put the chicken in the skillet and cook away (I probably didn't need to tell you this step :). While the chicken was cooking I made the topping. For the topping check out my July post all the way at the bottom of my side bar. I garnished with Kalamata Olives and Parmesan Cheese. My family loved this dish. I may try this topping with Salmon, and garnish with some Capers, and Feta Cheese!


Cous Cous is very good. Don't be afraid to try making it. I love to eat it with some Feta Cheese, on top. Instead of butter I use 1/2 table spoon extra virgin olive oil.

Stay tuned for what I make with the leftovers! What is your fave summer dish to make? Until next time

Blessings,

aimee

Before and After!

Hello :) I bought this butter dish at an estate sale. Not knowing what type of metal it was I used Tarn-X, silver cleaner to polish it up. After I used the Tarn-X, it looked like I dug it up out of a fire. The picture above and below are the after Tarn-X. I figured since I already ruined it why not try Brasso metal cleaner. What did I have to lose? Right!

This is what happened when I used the wrong metal cleaner. It even smelled a little funny.


As you can see the Brasso, was working!




She is shining bright and ready to hold butter! It was a $3 easy fix. I still have a lot left in the bottle for some future mistakes :) Before you toss it try another cleaner. Have you done something similar? I'd love to know what you did and how you fixed it. Until next time!

Blessings,

aimee

Bed Beautiful Bed

Hello, nap time! Fluffy pillows, vintage comforter, breezy curtains, and a beautiful chandelier . Love it. Saw this in a boutique I visited. Life is grand for the lady who buys this bed! Sweet dreams. Until next time.

Blessings,

aimee