Antique Stores, Here I Come!

This weekend we are going to Creston again, and I can not wait!! Have you ever found somewhere in your life, where you are totally at peace - well, my altar to worship at is Creston, B.C. The climate, our friends at the campground, the antique stores and fruit stands...I have died and gone clear to heaven! The drive is not too long, the anticipation of fresh fruit and vegetables from the fruit stands, the opportunity to poke around at the greenhouse and nursery next door to our favorite campground - the whole experience is just pure relaxation and rejuvenation to me. This trip was supposed to be made with family and friends, but after a series of unfortunate incidences, only Mike and myself and Megan and Murray ( with baby) are venturing out. The intent for the guys is pure golf nirvana - no wind and a beautiful course to play - the intention for the girls is shopping, shopping, shopping!!! I am looking for unusual flower and herb seeds and possibly a garden ornament or two and anything that "speaks" to me in the antique stores. Megan just wants to vegetate and relax. The best part - I get to be the babysitter!!!!
I think what I enjoy best about a trip to Creston is that it does not have the "holiday jet lag" that I experience anywhere else. I have often wondered if that happens to other people, not just me. You know...you go somewhere to relax and it does not feel like a holiday. Inevitably, the night before you go have to go home, then suddenly you hit your vacation groove and you are truly

relaxed - only to have to go home the next morning...why does that happen? To me, every time we go somewhere I experience that feeling - except Creston. The second that I see the town sign, I am transported to heaven. When I die, my family should sprinkle my ashes over Creston Valley and I will be happy forever!

Spiced Carrot Muffins By Request

Where did April and May go??? I have not had time to sit down at my computer (for fun) in sooooo long...I am surprised that over a month and a half has evaporated into thin air!! Other than one really cool antique hunting trip that Mike and I took, it has been nothing but work, work and more work. Nothing exciting - except for when baby comes to visit!

The cold, chilly spring has left me at my scrapbooking table much longer than normal this spring. Somehow, getting dressed in winter colthes, to go outside and dig in the frozen chilly ground has seemed less than appealing. So I decided to finish my brother-in-law's heritage album that has been a thorn in my side for many, many years. This year, I quit talking about finishing it and I actually did it, working day and night for several weeks, trying to get it done before Allan comes to visit this month. I am about two pages away from the completion of what has turned out to be a two volume set. If I do not see tears when I gift it to Allan, he might be the next chapter in the book "Crazed Scrapbooker Kills Relative With Scissors".

I promised that I would post my breakfast muffin recipe - sorry if you have been waiting!

Spiced Carrot Muffins 400 degree oven

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

3/4 cup brown sugar

Mix these dry ingredients together until well blended and then make a well in the center of the bowl and add:

1 egg

1/2 - 1 cup buttermilk (or more if needed, depending on how juicy your carrots are)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups carrot

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

Mix well. Your batter should not be dry, or runny either, just a nice, moist, middle of the road batter. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until a toothpick in the center of the muffin comes out clean.

These muffins are more savory than sweet and make the perfect breakfast muffin. I cook them in Texas size muffin pans, but you can use smaller muffin tins, just adjust the time accordingly.

Let me know how your family likes them!!