Perfect Bran Muffins....and Banana Pound Bread?

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I had a friend and her lovely kiddos over for a quick playdate this morning.

Of course, I forgot to clean up last night's dishes after we got home (we went out to watch Transformers 3 - super cool!) and then proceeded to accidentally sleep in.

Wonderful.

I awoke to shouts of, "Nuh UH! That's MY bread!" What the??

Turns out if Mommy sleeps in...no problemo! Bubbalu and Lil Chick can steal a loaf of bread from the pantry and chow down on however many slices they want. One? Two? Twelve?

However, I thought this was rather convenient as I had a large to-do list that I needed to complete in less than 58 minutes and they took care of one of the most important items. Sweet!

Managed to whip the house sorta into shape (ya know, the normal: dishes, laundry, pick-up junk, hide the weapons, etc).

I decided that I really should try to bake something yummy before they arrived and then remembered that (insert head slap) I had used the rest of the white flour on making banana pound bread.

What's banana pound bread?

It's SO easy. You make it JUST like banana bread, except omit the baking soda. Voila. Banana pound bread.

Anywho, all I had left was oat bran and whole wheat flour...which is better for ya anyways!

Quickly googled bran muffins, threw it together....but then took some artistic license and added a bunch of extra ingredients and different measurements. So I've got a new recipe to share with y'all!

(Ulterior Motive: I won't remember if I don't write it down TODAY. If I don't post this recipe and instead just jot it down on paper, I'll lose it. So really, I just want to forever post this in blog-land so I'll still have it. Thank you little blog. )

Perfect Bran Muffins

2.5 cups whole wheat flour
1.5 cups oat bran
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup corn/vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Combine all dry ingredients. Combine all liquid ingredients. Mix those both together. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full. Bake 375* for 18 minutes. Let cool, serve! Makes 24 muffins.

Try em, they're delish. Just enjoy them in moderation. Just sayin. Y'all know what too much fiber does to your digestive system, right? Yup.

Enjoy :)

Amanda

* Totally kidding about the weapons...Sorta
* Banana pound bread? Yeah, well.... let's just say it was an unintentional discovery... ;)

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Broken Mirror to Fake Transom...and a Doubtful TjMaxx Dude...

Awhile back while pursuing the aisles of TjMaxx I came across this:

It was in the clearance aisle....AKA Amanda's Playground.

Don't remember how much. I think $6 ish.

Brought it to the register. Dude looks at me with a "are you some kind of stupid?" look on his face and says, "uh, you DO know it's broken, right?"

I smiled, "yup!"

He raised his eyebrows, sighed and finished ringing up my purchases.

I find it strangely hilarious knowing he will forever wonder about the crazy lady who purchased a broken mirror.

Maybe he will one day come across this post.

While wearing thick work gloves I carefully took the broken mirror out and tossed it.

Spray Prime

Spray Paint

Wipe on glaze mixed with dark brown paint.

Wipe it off

Wipe it on

Wipe it off

....you get the idea....

You end up with a nicely aged finish in the seams and edges. PERFECT.

Check it out, a fake transom above my double sliding glass door:



SO much better than a dingy gold cracked mirror:

Before n After:

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Dear Doubtful TjMaxx Dude,

Didn't see that one coming, didya?

:) Amanda

LAST DAY TO ENTER! Live in the Pacific NW? Love animals? A great family ticket pack for the Pet Expo going on July 8-10 is up for grabs! Ends TOMORROW!

Four Costco Trips...

I believe I counted correctly when I say we went to Costco four times this past week.

Yeah.

Uh-huh.

I know.

But when my Sister invites me for a Saturday afternoon Costco run without kiddos I jump at the chance. EVEN if it is on Saturday, which is breaking rule #1 in the "How to Shop at Costco" playbook.

And when my Sis-in law calls me up for a last minute "Hey you still in town? Let's go shopping!" spree I can't say no :)

And when my Mama asks me to pick up some stuff for her I'm going to say "Sure, why not?". (After all, she birthed me and one should be afforded SOME perks for that.)

And when I realize that, despite three prior trips, I have yet to remember toilet paper and to fill the car up with gas....I go back for the fourth time.

Our Costco climate has changed drastically over the past year. See, I live sorta close to the country that resides just north of the U.S. of A. When currency rates flip (US economy = fail) to be in favor of that northern country, the folks who live there come across the border in droves for a super smokin good Costco deal.

Not that I blame em.

I'd do the very same thing.

Anywho, so a routine Costco trip has turned into a free-for-all, grab what you can, avoid sample tables like the plague, dash to get into a checkout lane that is less than 6 customers long, park two parking lots away, 20 car lineup for gas, concession stand chaos and people people people everywhere.

I'm not much of a crowd person.

For me, the enjoyment of a Costco shopping trip has greatly diminished.

However, there is hope. I'm hearing rumors of a new Costco Warehouse that would be located NW of the current location and closer to the border. We'll see.

So, fourth trip in a week, busy busy busy and yep, I've got Bubbalu and Lil Chick with me.

The kiddos were behaving especially, uh, interesting and I was about at the end of my shushing, "stop it right this instant", glaring looks, "do I have to make you get down and walk?", sighs of frustration, "stop hitting your sister", rebuckling the seat belt, "stop bugging your brother", "no screaming!", "you are just fine, stop whining" and "stop asking for that we aren't buying it, no means NO" rope.

Can anyone relate?

Anywho, so I finally make it to the checkout line and wait until it's our turn, playing mediator with the kiddos ("He hit me!", "No I didn't!", "She's poking me!", "Nuh-uh!") the entire time. I rushed to load our stuff onto the conveyor belt thinking GET ME OUTTA HERE ASAP.

Can anyone relate?

An elderly lady and her husband were in line right behind us. She smiled at the kiddos and said, "Honey, You look like you are doing a really good job with those kids".

{ instant stress dissipation }

Seriously Mama's, let's be intentional about building one another up and be generous with encouragement, it makes SUCH a difference....especially on those rough days, right?

Or during weeks with four Costco runs :)

Amanda

Live in the Pacific NW? Love animals? A great family ticket pack for the Pet Expo going on July 8-10 is up for grabs! Ends Wednesday!