Murmuring thanks...

Joy lies in the habit of murmuring thanks to God for the smallest of graces. I falter, but this is the habit to wear for a lifetime. -Ann Voskamp

Temptation

I love apples. I really can relate to Adam's fellow garden dweller, Eve, ya know, the one in the Bible? The one who decided to taste the forbidden fruit. Remember her? I always seem to relate to the villain. But, that's for another day.

OK, so over the weekend I had a bag of apples looking all lonely and asking for greater purpose. I answered the call and decided to take this once forbidden fruit to another level.

Can you say Praline Apple Muffins?
Just so you know, anything with the word "Praline" makes my ears perk up. And my mouth water. And baked apples smell like a home should smell in the Fall. So there wasn't much convincing to be done to get me to ask my husband to go to the store to get the only missing ingredient I needed to make these little marvels.Let me just say right now, they are definitely worth the 20 minute prep time, 15 minute bake time, and the minor burn on my wrist. Word of Advice: Pot holders are better than dish rags for removing a hot muffin tin from the oven. Oh, and the Mister said it was worth the trip to the grocery store for Sour Cream...even though I found a container after I already sent him. Lord, I love that man.
If you are human breathing, you will agree these muffins are sinfully delicious. These muffins are great for breakfast. These muffins are great for lunch. These muffins are great for your coworkers breakfast and lunch. At least that's what they said today.

Here's the recipe. Now, go on, give into the temptation. This is one sin, you won't regret.

*Praline Apple Muffins

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, divided
1 (8 oz) container sour cream
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups finely chopped, peeled Granny Smith apples (about 3/4 lb)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 1/2 cup pecans in a shallow pan 6-8 minutes or until toasted.

2. Beat sour cream and next 3 ingredients at low speed with electric mixer until blended.

3. Stir together flour and next 3 ingredients. Add to sour cream mixture, beating just until blended. Stir in apples and 1/2 cup toasted pecans. Spoon batter into well-grease muffin tin. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup chopped pecans.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean.

5. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.

6. Bring butter and brown sugar to boil in 1-qt heavy saucepan over medium heat; stirring constantly; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat, and spoon over top of muffins.

7. Enjoy.

*This recipe was adapted from recipe in September 2009 issue of Southern Living.

All I want is....

Kindness

Chew On This

Wear It Proud!

Yes, that's him. William Griffis Morgan. Second born son from my first husband. HA!

I recently ordered some photo buttons from a site that offered pictures of Airmen/women at basic training. Apparently the company's sales are so good they don't even have to actually post the proofs. You just blindly enter your loved one's name and Flight number and 10 days later (or less) a package arrives and you pray the contents are photographs of that special one. 

Suckers, we Moms are. 

Well, my package came yesterday.

And what a sight for sore eyes!

I would recognize that face anywhere. My little boy.

OK...he's 21, but bear with me here.

You would have thought I'd won the Lottery. Seriously. I tore into that package and proudly pinned that button on and have worn it since.

I even wore the button to school today and bragged at every opportunity. 

One former Marine/teacher asked me if I was I going to wear it to his graduation, insinuating that I would embarrass him. 

I know. Can you believe it?

Would I wear it to his graduation?

I answered, "Is the Pope Catholic?" "Are cheetos fattening?"  "Does your skull have a brain?"

He may be a tough old Marine, but apparently he hasn't ever been a MOM!

After all, we are talking about the MOM that went into premature labor with that boy...labor that lasted  no less that10 hours...while battling a 103 degree temp! 

Who's tough now, Mr. Marine?

I kid. Sort of.

But really, I can't believe it's almost time to pack up and fly out to San Antonio for Griff's graduation from Air Force Basic Training. 

So very proud of my boy!

Gotta go. Trying to figure out how to pack this 8 x 4 banner with Griff's name on it.

Gratitude

Gratitude is simply being, breathing in and allowing the joys of the day to wash over you.

The Gratitude List continues...

691. Hungry guests
692. Loving Parents
693. Pudding in parfait glasses
694. Walking on a Winter day
695. A smile
696. Cheerios

My Own Little World

It's been a while. But, I am back. It's a new year. Whether 2010 was good or bad for you, a new beginning is here. A clean slate. 

Many are promising themselves to lose weight, stop smoking, exercise more, etc. Me? I really have no profound resolutions, just really long to find peace.

 I recently sat down to write a letter (not on the computer, but with a real piece of paper and pen) and found that it was almost impossible to leave out the word "I" and all those other personal pronouns.

Funny, that makes me think of a country song my kids used to irritate me with. 

I wanna talk about meeeiiiieeee! 

They knew my least favorite music was country and my least favorite musician EVER was Toby Keith. Sorry if that insults anyone. But those kids of mine, especially the boys received so much joy from breaking out in that song or any of his other hits(?) Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh! Makes my skin crawl right now thinking about his voice!

Back to what I was saying ...

I long for peace. One way to begin this search is to first get out of my world, my life, my problems. Connect with others. To do that, I will have to take my eyes off myself and my little world. Become more self-less.

Mother Teresa once said, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." 

Where this admission, this simple resolution will lead me I'm not sure, but I am willing to take this path.

Happy New Year.