Blueberry Streusel Muffins

This is the first recipe I have ever made that has the ingredient sour cream. This is a big step for me. It doesn't use much, so I just decided to suck it up and try it. I couldn't tell so I might be willing to try other recipe containing sour cream.

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp table salt
1 large egg(s)
1 cup sugar, divided
3/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup fat-free skim milk, divided
2 cup blueberries, washed and picked over
2 Tbsp butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Place muffin liners in a 12-hole muffin tin.

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat egg with 3/4 cup of sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add sour cream and beat until thoroughly combined; blend in vanilla extract.

Add half of flour mixture and half of milk to sugar mixture; beat until just combined. Add remaining flour mixture and milk; beat until smooth.

Fold in blueberries and fill each muffin liner about 3/4 full; set aside.

To make streusel topping, in a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup each of sugar and flour. Pour in melted butter and combine with fingertips. Divide crumb mixture over muffins; gently press into top of muffin batter with fingertips.

Bake until slightly golden and a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pans for about 10 to 15 minutes and then transfer muffins onto racks to cool completely.

Chalkboard Paint

I finally know what I want to put on my kitchen walls, however, I need chalk board paint. I have Googled it and found message board posts where people are talking about it, but no one has mentioned where to get it. Also, all I can find is chalkboard spray paint. I am looking for the kind you roll or brush on. So, does anyone out there know where I can find this stuff? And has anyone applied it before? I am afraid I am taking on a task that is more difficult than I think...

Weekend in Atlanta

This weekend we headed down to Atlanta because Andrew was in a wedding. This would be one of the first weddings where I would be a guest and not a participant, so I was looking to stores nearby that I wanted to hit that we don't have here near the 'Boro. First was The Container Store. I have been looking at there merchandise online since I saw it on Oprah back in the fall. I could finally touch and feel everything I have been looking at on the computer screen. Unfortunately, I left empty handed. It is very overwhelming in there if you don't actually have definite plans to organize something specific. My favorite section was the kitchen section.

My next stop was Crate & Barrel. I have been addicted ever since Emily brought a catalog into work. My favorite things are from there - my dishes, living room furniture, and especially my mixing bowls. (I know - odd. but I love them. I made one my salad bowl.) Finally I could look at things without having to pay for shipping charges back. I walk into the mall and search out the directory and Crate & Barrel isn't listed. I was confused, so Andrew took me into Macy's to ask where it was located. Sad news - they took it out a month ago! It seemed like a pretty swanky mall, they could at least update their website when a store has been gone for 30 days. Don't worry too much - I wasn't sad for long! I found a new kitchen store that is now at the top of my list!

I loved it in here! It is like a Williams Sonoma, but not nearly as intimidating. We found a new piece for our kitchen that we have been looking for after an episode of Gilmore Girls: a Cow Creamer! Cereal and coffee just got more exciting! Along with that, they had a plethora of cookie cutters, my favorite being the football helmet. That will get plenty of use during football season!

Sad news about Sur la Table - there isn't one located within 100 miles of Nashville. So another store where I will have to shop online.

After searching for my stores, we headed to the church for the wedding. It was a beautiful wedding but the weather was hot!

Firecracker Cupcakes

Happy 4th of July! I am sure you are celebrating by eating some goodies in red, white and blue! Here is one to add to your list for next year! Another easy one from Kraft Foods:

24 Yellow Cupcakes
2 cups thawed Cool Whip
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
4 drops each of blue and red food coloring
24 Red string licorice pieces

PLACE 1/2 cup of the coconut in each of two separate resealable plastic
bags; set remaining 1/2 cup coconut aside. Add blue food coloring to coconut in one bag and red food coloring to coconut in second bag. Seal bags; shake until coconut is evenly tinted.

SPREAD tops of cupcakes with whipped topping. Sprinkle with red, white (uncolored) and blue coconut as desired; press coconut gently into whipped topping to secure.

INSERT licorice piece into top of each cupcake for the firecracker's fuse. Store in refrigerator.

Good luck finding the string licorice pieces. I couldn't track any down so they aren't in the picture of my cupcakes. I ended up buying the regular licorice and cutting it into thinner pieces. Another option that I about tried, but didn't have time to search for, are those sour straws. I don't like licorice, so I will definately look for those next time. Also, I only had the gel food coloring, but I think it would be easier if you had the liquid kind. The gel made it hard to spread throughout the coconut. Just an observation I made.

**This cupcake stand was part of my amazing birthday gift from Cassie. I love that I can display cupcakes now!