we’ve really fallen off posting lately, there’s so much going on irl there hasn’t been time to dedicate to writing blogs or even making muffins. the weather finally turned beautiful and even though i find we spend a huge chunk of the day hiding in the shade and air conditioning, there’s still lots to do.
one of our latest greatest activities has been heading down to a local park for a wade into the municipally run wading pool and a run around the park. i wish i’d figured this out sooner, because it’s so close and right across the street from the grocery store. a play and a shop? that sounds like a good afternoon. i was initially wary of the area because, for whatever reason, some nefarious characters seem to frequent it. i kept seeing cop cars and dirty sleepy fellas lounging on the park benches and picnic tables. do i want to hang out around that with my kiddo? for various reasons, obviously no, i don’t. but then i noticed the playground equipment at the back, the wading pool being an added and unexpected bonus.
one thing about these pools, they’re f*cking cold. the water comes from a well beneath and it’s like ice. i would never do that polar bear thing where people jump in to icy cold water for the rush or to cheat death or what ever their reasoning, but this water will make your feet numb. and the kids just completely adore it! doesn’t matter you could flash freeze a chicken in five minutes, if it’s wet they want to be in it. dylan, of course, is the exception. she gets in to about her toes and turns around. this child? she’s after my heart. even in island water, where tourists frolic in the surf, it takes me 20 minutes to get in up to my shoulders and still time after to warm up.
a few weeks ago we made these incredibly tasty cinnamon swirl banana muffins by delciously declassified. they are moist and sweet and terribly addictive. i even shared a handful with my writers group and they disappeared. if adults like them, they have to be good. but they’re kid approved, which means i can make them more often and satisfy my sweet tooth without feelings of guilt. heh…
cinnamon swirl banana muffins {deliciously declassified}
ingredients
3-4 overripe bananas, smashed up
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups flour
for the swirl
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
preheat oven to 350 and prepare your muffin – mini or regular – with liners (i don’t waste liners, just grease with butter) or spray a loaf pan.
mix together smashed bananas, butter, sugar, egg and vanilla.
sprinkle the baking soda and salt around the top of the banana mixture, then gently stir in the flour. be careful not to over-mix!
in a separate dish, mix together the swirl ingredients.
fill your muffin cups (or pan) about halfway with batter, evenly distribute about half the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter, add the rest of the batter to the pan and then sprinkle the remaining swirl mix on top.
bake for 20-25 minutes (or 50-60 minutes for a 9×5 loaf).