Not a Resolution

I have been horribly neglectful of this blog.  I started updating my kook creations site.  When I have finished that I will do my best to keep this one a little more current.  I have made some yummy recipes that I would like to share.  My husband has become quite the candy maker.  I'll share some of his also.  I'll be back soon!

More healthy - but still yummy- muffins

Carrot-Raisin Muffins  These turned out really good.
from the Cuisinart website

Ingredients

1½ cups unbleached, all-purpose flour   (I used 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour)

1 cup bran flakes cereal   ( I used Raisin Bran, about 1 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon baking powder  (I added 1/4 tsp baking soda)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon table salt
1 medium carrot (about 3 ounces), peeled, cut to fit feed tube vertically  (I used 2 carrots- about 5 ounces)
1/3 cup walnut halves, shells removed  (omitted)
3 strips orange zest
2/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
¾ cup fat free milk  (I used 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt and 1/4 cup buttermilk)
1 large egg
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ cup raisins  (I used chopped figs- the cereal had raisins already)


Instructions

Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl combine flour, bran flakes, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; reserve.

Insert the medium shredding disc. Stand carrots upright in the feed tube and shred using medium pressure; reserve. Insert metal blade and pulse to coarsely chop walnuts, about 7 to 8 times. Reserve. Add orange zest and brown sugar; process until combined, about 20 to 30 seconds. Scrape bowl. Add milk, egg and oil. Process until combined, about 5 to 10 seconds. Add raisins, walnuts, carrots and dry ingredients. Pulse until flour is just mixed in, about 5 times.

Fill muffin cups ¾ full with batter. Bake until light golden brown on tops and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.

**I grated the carrots and mixed up the wet ingredients with the food processor, but mixed the batter together in a bowl.  Just my preference.  And I sprinkled the crumbs in the bottom of a bag of frosted mini-wheats on top.  These are really good.  With the figs- they have a Fig Newton flavor.  Pretty darn good.

Bucket Boss for coffee cups

Being in construction, the idea of a Bucket Boss pencil holder could not be ignored.  They fit on regular coffee cups with pockets on the inside as well as the outside.  A great way to use small pieces of leftover fabric.  And I am not one to throw out fabric!

Aren't these just the cutest things ever??

Repurposed jeans shoulder bag and a couple others

 This started as a pair of worn out jeans that already had patched knees.  After cutting them off right at the top of the legs, I cut and resewed the crotch so it layed flat.  Under the flap is the front of the jeans- so the front pockets are still there, besides a nice roomy interior.

This is the back of the bag.  The back pockets provide spots for cell phone or whatever.  The strap I made out of a strip cut from the leg. 

 A fun bag made from pieces of fabric left over from other projects.  It has inside pockets also. 


















Here's another one- a little bit bigger than the other.  Again made out of left over fabrics.

A manly apron

  I decided to give aprons for gifts and needed one for a guy.
This one is made from a heavier fabric and has an adjustable
neck strap and one big pocket in front.

















I came up with this to embroider on the bib.  It's rather manly, don't you think?