Well, I tromped about the store last night, but was heartily disillusioned by the price and quality of the nonseasonal fruit. As the wiser, mommy-ladies warned me: spring may not be the best time of y for cobblers.
But, One never admits defeat, One only changes her mind. Which, I think, when translated to normal American speech, is actually a Billy Joel song. Isn’t it? And she never backs doooooooooown, she just changes her mind… yeah. I think that’s B. Joel.
Anyway, One has decided to pursue coffeecakes and muffins instead of cobblers, at least until summer actually comes and the peaches at Meijer are easily distinguished from walnuts.
Thus: Joy of Cooking, pg 783, Basic Muffins recipe. I spruced it up as suggested by adding a smidge of nutmeg to the batter and brushing the tops (after baking) with melted butter and a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon.
So yum! And fast. I woke up a little after eight and had them baked and cooled a little by the time the boys were up. Okay, was SO pleased with myself, I might have just popped my head in the bedroom to See If They Were Up. But they were. I swear I didn’t wake them up and force them to eat my dainties.
Which makes me sound a bit like the lascivious woman in Proverbs, doesn’t it?
Anyway, I took pictures to aid my recommendation to try the recipe (yes, but not totally plain. I think the melted butter and cinnamon/nutmeg definitely aided).
Please note Moll, beginning to show interest in the muffin process.
This is a better picture. The recipe makes a nice light muffin. Not too dense. Moist. V serviceable. I do sort of love the Joy.
And then Molly started HUNTING the muffins, and it was time to scoop her up and toss her out of the kitch.
Anyway. Besides muffins, I’ve mostly spent the day curled up, reading about Buddhism. Fascinating stuff, and I much prefer it as a philosophy to Hinduism. It shares more similarities with Christianity, I think. The moral code is v close, and the practice of nonattachment and the view of suffering as the product of (unhealthy) desire could be a lesson to a lot of American Christians.
Christianity certainly has a whole world of hope to offer, though. If there were no salvation, no Christ, then I would be a Buddhist, no question, but how amazing to have something beyond peaceful acceptance of life, death, suffering. The acceptance of all things from God’s hand is good, but the hope of Christ is so much beyond good. As, I suppose, intense grace always is.
Am sure a true Buddhist would only shudder and think how far I am from enlightenment, how desperately embroiled I am in my egotistic need for the salvation of myself, the need I have to believe in an eternal life and an eternal ego. Sad day! No doubt there is some truth in the selfish relief I feel at being important in the Creator God’s mind… how good to know we aren’t accepted solely for our purity of heart or intention.
Anyway. Am interested in Buddhism. Not to become a Buddhist, but I just feel like truth is truth no matter where it comes from, and the Buddhists have been working on putting away materialism and accepting reality for thousands of years. Would be an idiot to think I had nothing to learn there.
And now must jaunt to the park, as it’s mild and lovely and gray out. Followed by a late lunch and work this aft.
