Tuesday, January 28, 2014

My Cat, Tabitha

She doesn't turn around and look out very often. She usually just curls herself up in a ball and sleeps. She doesn't stay outdoors very long in this cold but she goes out willingly when I make her. I understand a lot of animals put on their brakes and refuse. Webster and Tabitha never do and I am thankful for that. I'm the one that refuses. Brrrrr.
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Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 60


A few more suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

717 is a good one. "Remove your sunglasses when you talk to someone." Most people don't.
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Monday, January 27, 2014

MacAulay - Scottish Clan and Tartan

The MacAulay Tartan, watercolor version


MacAulay Scottish Clan History on left. Motto: Danger is Sweet. This brass running dog paperweight is one of my favorite things.
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Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 59


A few more suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

714 - When opportunity knock, invite it to stay for dinner.
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Heading Home

Webster is so hard to photograph outside. He's all business doing his tracking. We were just finishing our last walk of the day having walked the perimeter. He sticks his nose deeply into some of the tracks, probably those of our fox family. That's his job and he's very diligent. Webster is the best security guard ever. Happy Monday.
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Sunday, January 26, 2014

Flaxseed Muffins with Dried Cranberries


Cranberry Flaxseed Muffins

Yields 1 dozen muffins.
My muffin pan only makes 11 and I ate 2.

3/4 cup (95 grams) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (90 grams) whole wheat flour
1/2 cup (53 grams) flax meal
1/3 cup (66 grams) brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil (I used Olive Oil)
1 cup (235 ml) milk (I used unsweetened Soy Milk)
1 cup (120 grams) dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease a muffin tin or line with baking cups.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flours, flax meal, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center of the bowl and add the egg, vegetable oil, and milk, mixing until the batter is evenly incorporated. Stir in the dried cranberries.

Divide batter evenly between baking cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Serve with a small pat of butter or spread of jam.


They were delicious. I cranked up my wonky gas oven to 400° and that was perfect. My enameled cast iron muffin pan gets nice and hot and holds the heat after you take them out of the oven. I cooked mine for 20 minutes and let them cool for 10 minutes and they were done in the middle. I ate the first one hot with butter and the second on later with a cup tea and a spread of strawberry jam. 
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Great quote by John Steinbeck

Love!!! - found here
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New Snow on My Balcony

The snow on the decking is new because I shoveled the deep snow a few days ago. The accumulation on the top of the railing has already melted away and I hope the sun will do the floor too. I only shovel out there when it's unusually deep. Enjoy this lazy Sunday morning and let me know when you are tired of my Waterlogue watercolors. See this morning's photo here.
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