Snow on Sandy Beaches

So good to see snow in an area that sees little but warm ocean breezes, plenty of sand, and little shrubbery (save the sand spurs). We saw about three or so inches on the ground by 9:00 before it changed over to all rain by 11 which left a very slushy mess of melted snow and puddles by later afternoon, but I got the chance to play in it with Roxy around 8 before it got too messy. It was also a blessing to hear mom made it to work in Norfolk safely (she left at 4:45 AM and made it to the hospital by 7), despite the fact that none of the roads were plowed (VDOT was waiting to plow until there was at least 2 in. on the ground......) and she couldn't see the sides of the road at times.

Woke up this morning too ice and a new blanket of snow which made me decide to stay off the roads and watch NHC live on ustream; my favorite parts of the service involved Pastor Rick imitating Julie Andrews in "The Sound of Music" and his rendition of the very famous "Pants on the Ground" :)

Packing is pretty much complete, considering I've packed and repacked; I have confirmed my flights with the airlines, and have everything in order except for a few odds and ends. So excited and nervous at the same time. I haven't had great experiences flying so far since I tend to get car sick so that leads into me getting a little air sick, so this time I'm really hoping that I experience no upset tummy issues during my flights. Prayers are appreciated!

I'll put up one more post before I leave Wed. afternoon, then my next one will be written in the land down under :)

2 Weeks and Counting

Exactly 2 weeks until my departure for the land down under :)

Muffins

The amazing muffin recipe revealed.... no, really it's amazing because Steven actually ate them.

Banana-Walnut Muffins (Yield: 8 Muffins)

- 1 1/2 cups flour

- 1/2 cup brown sugar

- 1 Tsp baking powder

- 1/2 Tsp baking soda

- 1/4 Tsp salt

- 1 cup mashed ripe banana (2-3 bananas)

- 1 Lg. egg

- 1/4 cup 50/50 butter blend (smart balance), melted

- 1/4 cup 1% buttermilk ( we used powdered buttermilk)

- 3 Tbsp canola oil

- 1 Tsp vanilla extract

- 1/3 cup + 2 Tbsp walnuts, chopped and divided

1. Heat oven to 350 and coat 8 cups of a standard size muffin tin with cooking spray OR just use muffin liners

2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl

3. Mix banana, egg, butter spread, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add flour mixture and stir till blended. Add 1/3 cup of walnuts and mix thoroughly

4. Fill up muffin cups and sprinkle remaining 2 Tbsp of walnuts over tops

5. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until a wooden pick inserted into center of muffin comes clean

Enjoy!