All in a Day's Time

We have had Dutch winter and Dutch summer in just five hours. Crazy talk when you don't even live in The Netherlands, but we used to live there. Just wish we had had some of this glorious sunshine in January over there. I remember too many dull, grey winter days. Cozy candles were a common thing in those days. Now I just use Yankee candles to smell up the place. Don't even have to light them!

Saturdays.... Actually, since we retired, days of the week are not so different. My routine is to get out of bed, let our dog out of his "kennel" in the garage, walk around the pond (with or without the dog), make a pot of tea, eat a bowl of yoghurt with cereal, and then read the Internet news and check Pinterest. Then I find a project or cleaning job to do. Before you know it, it is time to think about our evening meal and get that started. Next the dog lets us know he is ready for our trek around the meadow, so we bundle up in these temps (or cover up against bugs in summer temps) and follow him as he tracks animals big and sometimes small along our path. After our walk, our dog is ready for his dinner and a well-deserved long sleep on his cozy dog bed. We eat the dinner I have prepared and settle behind the television to laugh and enjoy our favorite sitcoms or political shows (yes, there is sometimes laughter there,too). That about sums up how it goes here. I never said "boring," since I feel "comfortable" describes it much better.

We are having fresh Brussel sprouts and pot roast for dinner tonight. The sprouts came from a friend at the Baptist senior citizens group we joined a couple of years ago. No, we aren't Baptists, but most of our acquaintances in our community are. The sprouts will taste good with The Pioneer Woman's pot roast. I have tried this recipe (which I will share at a later date) a couple of times, and it is definitely a winner. I think even my niece who calls roast beef "roast beast" would like this dinner. Sorry she lives so far away or she could come give it a try.

Speaking of recipes, let's try Just Plain Cooking:

Honey Raisin Bran Muffins (Memaw's)

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups Raisin Bran cereal

1 cup milk

1/3 cup honey

1 egg ( slightly beaten)

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In large mixing bowl, stir together Raisin Bran cereal, milk, and honey. Let stand 2 minutes or until cereal is softened. Add egg and oil. Beat well. Add flour mixture, stirring only until combined.

Portion batter evenly into 12 greased 2 1/2 inch cup muffin pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes or until browned. Serve warm. These muffins freeze well. Microwave 20 seconds at warm setting. Enjoy!

Yields 12 muffins.