Tuesdays At The Table - Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

Happy Tuesday!  A friend of mine told me that Tuesdays are statistically the worst day of the week.  I don't believe her....  Do you?!?!

This week I'm trying a new recipe.  These muffins are currently sitting on my cooling rack.  They smell delicious and I can't wait to try them!

Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

Streusel Topping
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons cold butter

Muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg, beaten

To make your streusel topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces.  Set aside.

Combine the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour by pushing ingredients out toward sides of bowl.

Combine the milk, melted butter, vanilla, and egg in a medium bowl. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture, and stir only until the flour is moistened (kinda lumpy). Scrape down the sides of bowl.

Divide the batter into prepared muffin cups, filling them about 2/3 full. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of streusel over each muffin.

Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of a couple of muffins comes out dry. Cool slightly, take out of the muffin tins and allow to cool on a cooling rack.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

A Love Affair...With eBay

I admit it.  I love eBay.  If you're in the right place at the right time - you can get some awesome deals.

This week I've scored:

Dachshund Salt and Pepper Shakers - so cute!

800 Threadcount Egyptian cotton sheets and king sized pillowcases. I got the black and pink (not shown).  I may be a sheet snob...but everytime you wash these sheets, they get even softer.

A variety pack of Scentsy bars.  I blame Jane for this one.  She is super awesome and sent me a Scentsy warmer for a housewarming gift (See..I told you she rocks!) and I'm now on a mission to find some awesome scents to use in the warmer.  :-)

What are you thoughts on eBay?  Are you a fan?  Absolutely hate it?

Tuesdays At The Table - Parmesan Pretzel Rods

Happy Tuesday!  A big welcome to all the fabulous ladies that commented that last week was their first time participating.  :-)

This week I'm sharing one of my new favorite snacks (found here).  They are so yummy and so easy!

Parmesan Pretzel Rods

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 tablespoons butter, cut in small pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
1 package (10 oz) pretzel rods

On a small plate, combine the Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregeno and cayenne; set aside.  In a small saucepan , heat the butter and olive oil until the butter melts.  Coat about 2/3 of the pretzel rod in butter/oil, then roll in cheese mixture.

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 270 for 20-25 minutes, turning once.

Let cool and nibble away!

What's cooking in your kitchen?

Is It Too Early For Christmas Cards?

I loooove Christmas!  Adore it!  (I will admit that one of my pet peeves is Christmas music before Thanksgiving, though.)  I'm starting after Halloween, I start keeping a little countdown to Christmas.  :-)

Now that I won Casey's Snapfish giveaway - HURRAY - I'm starting to contemplate my Christmas cards.  It's not to early for that, right?!?!

Here are a few that I'm just loving...

It's Official...

...I bought a money pit.  I've already told you that a lot of things in my house are suffering (majorly, majorly suffering) from the "home improvements" that the last owner made. 

I have windows from the 1930's that come out like jigsaw pieces.  The electric is a fire hazard in places.  My roof leaks. I'm trying to laugh through it all.  I'm TRYING!

Today took the cake.  I got home just in time to watch the chimney FALL OFF THE HOUSE.  It was on the roof and then *poof* it was on the ground.  Now, I feel that I should point out that the chimney just got re-pointed two weeks ago.  The same company came back to replace my roof.  What they didn't know is that the roof already had THREE layers of shingles on it (illegal much?!?!).  When they pried off those shingles, it exposed some old bricks that just disintegrated.

So, when does the film crew arrive?  I'm pretty darn sure that I'm starring in the re-make of The Money Pit.

Tuesdays At The Table - Apple Barbeque Sauce

Happy Tuesday!  I hope you all got to enjoy a nice long weekend.  :-)  I had to work on Columbus Day - but at least the commute was short and the day went quickly.

Last weekend I went apple picking.  It was fabulous!  Now I have 22 pounds (SERIOUSLY) of apples to use...and need some creative ways to use them.

Apple Barbeque Sauce

1 cup ketchup
2/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1/2 cup apple sauce or  apple cider
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/8 cup soy sauce
1/8 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons mustard powder
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/3 cup bacon, chopped finely
1/3 cup peeled and grated apple
1/3 cup grated onion

Mix together the ketchup, rice vinegar, apple sauce or cider, cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, pepper, cayenne, and bacon bits in a large saucepan.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in apple, onion, and bell pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes or until it thickens slightly. Stir it often.

Allow to cool and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

Tuesdays At The Table - Peanut Butter and Nutella Cookies

Fall is here...FINALLY!  I'm thrilled at the prospect of using my oven without the chance of sweltering to death to make something tasty!  To celebrate, I'm sharing one of my new favorite cookies.  You can't go wrong with  peanut butter and Nutella makes everything better!

We've had an influx of new participants!  WELCOME!!  Please visit the fabulous ladies who continue to share their amazing recipes each week.  (Really, I'm honored that you all keep coming back.)

Peanut Butter and Nutella Cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter - at room temperature
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 egg - beaten
3/4 cup + 1 and a half tablespoons self-rising flour
1/2 cup Quaker oats
3 tablespoons Nutella - HEAPING
2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter - HEAPING
Butter, for greasing

Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat them together until pale. Add the egg gradually, beating with the spoon as you go.  Add the flour and the oats and mix well. Finally, add the Nutella and Skippy. Don't mix in them in completely; they need to be nice and swirly.

Use a tablespoon to place blobs of cookie mixture on a greased baking sheet, making sure that they are well spaced as the dough spreads during cooking. Bake for 10–12 minutes at 350 (until slightly browned).

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before removing them from the baking sheet.
 
What's cooking in your kitchen?

An "Uh-Oh" Moment...

Guess what I did on Saturday?!?!

Nope, didn't win the lottery, find Prince Charming or get a new puppy (though all of those would be AWESOME!!)...

I locked my keys in the house.  The last time I locked my keys in the house, I was in second grade.  I don't think that counts, so I'm going to call this a "first time" experience.

Saturday afternoon my refridgerator was going to get delivered and was rushing around.  In my excitement...or, um...cold pill fueled state, I left the house without my cell phone.  So, I turned the car around and got it.  As I walked in the house to fetch said phone, I threw my keys on the counter.  Then promptly locked the front door and walked out without my keys.

I felt soooo stupid!  When that wore off, I had to figure out how to break into the house.
Tried the front door...didn't work.
Tried the back door...didn't work.
Tried the cellar door...didn't work.
(Are you sensing how diligent I am about locking the house?!?!)
And finally, I realized that I might be able to pry open a window.  Next to the bay window in front of the house is a crank out window.  I popped the screen, hoisted myself up and fell on into the house - all while my dogs freaked. the. heck. out.

Has anyone else's brain gone on vacation lately?  Or am I really the dumbest person in New England?

Call Off The Search Party....

Sorry I haven't been around much this week.  After taking a vacation last week - I was drowning in work this week.  And, as a reaction to all the house stress (and the weird weather changes), I got sick.  Who loves bronchitis?!?!  I do, I do!  Or not.

I'll be around to visit everyone soon and promise to get a few pictures of my gorgeous hideous house posted soon.