Morning Muffins!

First of all, I didn't realize it has been 17 days since I last posted a blog update!  Time flies when you are having fun (and maybe when you are busy working too!).  Eight of those days I wasn't blogging I was traveling to San Diego and vacationing there (while visiting my daughter and son-in-law) double bonus for me.  A few lessons learned about San Diego, since I had not been there before, first of all it is a long ways from Morris, MN.  Secondly, it is beautiful and the weather absolutely can't be beat.  Thirdly, there are so many restaurants, cafes, bakeries, etc., to see and try its very overwhelming.  Fourthly, I am trying to figure out how to get myself transplanted out there.  Flew back into Minnesota after our week there with NO humidity and NO bugs, as we were getting off the plane, I didn't even have to say it, the girl behind me in line did, Welcome back to HUMID Minnesota . . . .Me, personally, not a fan of that word or how it makes the temperature and outdoors feel!  Anywhoo, it was a great trip, a great time was had and now I am back to the reality of working, laundry, keeping the house clean, and trying to bake when I can!  This morning, with my central air humming along I cranked on the oven and made muffins for breakfast.  Here is the recipe I made, they are yummy for breakfast, or alongside a bowl of chili or soup on a cold winter evening as well. 

Sweeter Muffins
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Mix ingredients together in order listed.  Spoon into a greased muffin tin and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. 
**This morning my batch made 9 muffins (i like to make a good size muffin).
**You can stir in chocolate chips, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc., if you desire they are a good base muffin for mix-ins. 
**My family likes to eat them with butter or honey or jam!

Breakfast fit for brothers & dad!

Well this weekend's company consisted of my two brothers and my dad.  My one brother Scott came to Morris to run a 5k race with my husband and then my other brother joined in for an 18 hole best ball golf tourney.  Needless to say they were hot and ready to hit the air conditioned house when they were done.  It was a scorcher here yesterday - supposedly storms are on their way tonight and will clear out some of this &*($%@#^ humidity!  It will make me happy that's for sure - I am not going to like the looks of next month's power bill - the central air was running non-stop yesterday to keep the house cool and today it will be a repeat!  Last night I made the runners/golfers pork chops (on the grill), corn on the cob (which was awesome) and cheesy hashbrowns, then for dessert served up their choice of Key Lime pie (see previous post) or rhubarb crisp!  Then while they were all lounging and playing a few games of cards with my dad, (who had helped me grocery shop, put groceries away, shuck the corn, do dishes and weed my flower beds!) I got busy making breakfast for today, I whipped up the following egg bake!  Something I knew would be a hit with everyone that was here!  Keep cool today - and keep hydrated!

Egg Bake
1 bag frozen hashbrowns (either shredded or southern style)
12 eggs
1 c. skim milk
8 oz. shredded cheese ( I use cheddar)
1/2 c. chopped onion (you can add mushrooms, green pepper, etc., as well)
1 c. cubed ham (or use bacon or sausage - if you prefer)
**Spray a 9 x 13 pan with Pam spray.  Pour the bag of hashbrowns into the bottom of the pan.  Put your onion and meat on top of the potatoes.  Whisk together your eggs and your milk.  Pour this over your layers in the pan.  Sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake at 375 for about 45 minutes.
**I always make this the night before and put in the fridge, since I am NOT a morning person, then I can just insert into the oven in the morning and bake while I go back to bed!

Busy Week, but time for Key Lime Margarita Pie!

With it being the week of the 4th of July and everyone's schedules being all shifted around, what have we all accomplished this week?  Summer has hit West Central Minnesota hard this week, it has been sunny and warm and humid all at once.  If I lived at a lake I would have accomplished even less this week than I already have - ha!  We do have company coming tonight though as my hubby has a weekend full of running a 5k and golfing in a 3-man best ball, and he has invited my brothers down to join him in his endeavors.  Grant is also golfing in a golf tourney tomorrow - though not the same one as his dad!  Heather is going off to visit some friends and I will be here trying to keep people fed and hyrdated!  I work tonight so trying to get everything ready today!  Since its so warm outside I figured this would be a tasty & cool treat to serve up:

Key Lime Margarita Pie
1 1/4 c. crushed pretzels
1/4 c. sugar
6 tbsp. butter, melted
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c. lime juice
1 envelope LIME KOOL-AID unsweetened mix
1 (8 oz.) tub Cool-Whip, thawed

Mix your pretzels and sugar together.  Stir in the butter.  Press firmly onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate.  (set in freezer until ready to fill)
Combine the condensed milk, lime juice and KOOL-AID packet in a large bowl.  Stir well.  Stir in the cool whip.  Pour into the pie shell.  Freeze 6 hours or overnight!  Garnish with a dollop of cool whip and a slice of fresh lime (if desired!)  EAT!