Aisle Twelve

April showers bring May flowers.  I know this but it's hard to stay optimistic when it has been day after day of cold rain.  That's the joy of living in Michigan. I try to remind myself as I look at the dreary scene out my window that this is what it would be like to live somewhere exciting like London or Scotland.  But really it makes me want to stay in pajamas and eat all day.  So that is what I'll do.  When in Rome (or Michigan), right?  If you want to hibernate and eat all day, then it is a good idea to make something not too decadent or your waistline will become bearlike.  Joe bought a giant jug of Greek yogurt at the store.  I do not like yogurt on its own.  It has to be very doctored up before I can choke it down.  I also have been trying to get rid of the last of the frozen berries from last summer.  I just hate to toss them out when they were frozen at such a nice ripeness.  So I looked to the internet for a r...

Do you have a ton of blueberries left over from the season like I do?  I like to keep some to freeze and use throughout the winter in oatmeal and things, but I can't resist a good blueberry muffin.  Put strudel on top and I'm a goner.  This is a recipe from my Aunt Bonnie and it is my favorite.  I will sometimes go to a bakery and order a blueberry muffin only to be disappointed that they don't have Aunt Bonnie's moist recipe.  There is nothing worse than a dry muffin.  Well maybe there are some things, but dry muffins are no one's friend. The best part about these muffins is that they are so simple to make.  I know I say that about a lot of recipes but these really are.  And they come out moist, cinnamon-y and blueberry-y and perfect every time.  This recipe isn't limited to just muffin form.  My mom made these recently but instead of putting the batter in a cupcake tin, she used a square baking dish.  The result: delect...

I have it.  It consumes me.  I have been counting down the days and will not be able to sleep tonight  (in fact I will go out of my way not to sleep tonight.)  Yes, I have royal wedding fever.  Seriously, as I write this I am glued to Bio Channel's coverage of Wills and Kate. I can't really tear myself away so this is going to be short.  Not only has this wedding consumed my thoughts, it is consuming my appetite.  I am going to need something to nosh on at 4 am while I anxiously watch every detail of the big day.  Ok, I seriously need to go, I can't  miss another second of this coverage.  So I did tear myself away long enough to make scones for a royal wedding breakfast.  Good thing these are a cinch to whip up. Oh my gosh, I just had a bite of one and let me tell you - you want to make these... and make a double batch, they will not last long. (Based on recipe from Everyday Food - Letty Hampton) 2 cups all purpose ...

Supposedly it is officially spring.  Mother Nature did not get the memo.  It is very important on these gray, cold days to get a good, nutritious breakfast.  I love me a big breakfast.  I like the huge plate of pancakes swimming in syrup or the plate full of bacon and eggs and toast and potatoes.  But the problem with these gut busters is that they aren't exactly giving you the start you want.  A plate of pancakes doesn't exactly put a spring in your step.  No, these are the breakfasts you go for when you are going to be storing fat for a winter long hibernation.  Now that was fine for me a few months ago, but contrary to what it looks like out my window, they say spring is on its way.  And I can only go with my top pant button unbuttoned for so long until it's time to give up my big breakfasts. But I get so bored with cereal and toast.  What is one to do when one wants to make an interesting and healthy breakfast...

I can't believe I've been blogging for about a year and have yet to post a true breakfast recipe!  I am definitely a breakfast person.  Most mornings, I don't think I'd get out of bed if it were not the allure of breakfast calling me out from under my warm and cozy blankets.   Not to mention the fact I'd be a shaky, cranky mess come noon if breakfast weren't part of my day.  So I've never been able to understand the people who don't eat breakfast.  So for all you non breakfast people out there, if you had this stack of pancakes to wake up to, you'd probably hop out of bed a little quicker now wouldn't you?  What if I told you whipping up a stack was a cinch and takes hardly any time at all?  Pancakes are so easy and quick, they are really idiot proof.   If you can mix, you can make these.  I like to assemble the dry ingredients the night before so that all I have to do is add the wet ingredients, mix and cook.  This ...