Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Lucky In Love



What do you get when you combine this idea and this one?


This:




Thanks to the oh-so-talented-blog, Love Actually, I was able to put together something special for Hubby for March. Even though today is St. Patrick's day it is not too late to put something special together; I'm sure your lucky someone will appreciate it no matter what!


Cheers!
-Laura

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Do you know the Muffin Man!?!?


Do you know the Muffin Man,
The Muffin Man,
The Muffin Man?
Do you know the Muffin Man
Who lives in Drury Lane? 

Seriously, if you DO know the Muffin Man, please send him my way because I am so utterly helpless when it comes to muffins. 

I just don't get it. I can bake cakes, cookies, squares, brownies, bread...you name it - but please, just PLEASE don't name Muffins.

I have tried so many recipes and they do not work for me. Too dry, too moist or too flat. I have had muffin tops that have fallen off and some that have fallen in, but NONE that have bounced back like the recipes say they should.

My most recent attempt was the worst one yet:
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

 {Unfortunately, this is not what mine looked like. This photo is courtesy of this link.}

I have been wanting to bake these tasty morsels since we moved here and finally tracked down some Poppy Seeds to bake them.

The recipe went together effortlessly. The batter tasted divine. I filled the muffin cups and placed the tray in my preheated oven.

The magic began happening and they rose - oh how they rose. And the smell...amazing!

With still 10 minutes left in the baking time I went and grabbed a book for Little Man. I made it back to an awful surprise. 
The muffins had shrunk and the tops were wrinkly.
What happened!?!?

Despite my disappointment, I let them finish their baking time and hoped that they maybe they would be edible.

Nope. Not edible. The outside was crispy...the inside dense, doughy and slightly hollow on the upper portion.

Definitely not what I was hoping for.


So, do you know the Muffin Man? Think he could help me!?!?!?

At least I can still bake a batch of cookies to enjoy.



Cheers!
-Laura