Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 61

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

719 is very important when you move. Meet your neighbors, don't wait for them to knock on your door with a chocolate cake.

720 is critical when someone gets sick.

Webster's Watercolors

I remember this day well. It was a nice summer day 2-1/2 years ago when I had a cottage in town under contract. I had to go over to wait for a home inspector and I took my mother and Webster with me. We sat on the front stoop to wait for the man and watched the locals walk up and down the street, with and without dogs. Webster was an angel. He never left the yard and was so happy as you can see from the expression on his face.

I should have doctored up the original a little bit to decrease the contrast so his eyes would show. I just wanted to show you some of the available choices. He looks so happy in all of them. I had an office meeting this morning and all of the agents were so excited when I showed them the watercolors of my listing. I had to make a few for the manager so he could post them on one of his listings too. Nobody could believe how easy it was! Love that Waterlogue app.

Stay warm. Looks as if we are all cold together on the east coast! I heard about the ice and snow in Birmingham, Alabama....I used to live there when I was young. Very tough for those of you not used to driving in it. Stay home and be warm. xo

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Flaxseed Muffins with Dried Cranberries

Cranberry Flaxseed Muffins

Recipe from Pastry Affair

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.