Surprise!

Our outdoor thermometer reading is 62°F and the sun is shining this afternoon in Western MA!  A great afternoon to enjoy a walk outside.  At this time of year the Crocuses begin to pop up.  Looking very closely sprouts of the first Crocus are visible!  Hmmm- did a deer also spy this little gem?

Spring is just around the corner!
Enjoy!

     

February 28, 2023

A Winter Wonderland!

The snowflakes began to fall last night and today we have a New England winter wonderland!  Our first big snowfall of this winter season is a beautiful sight!

Enjoy!

   

A Typical Winter Day...

Just enjoying the scenery!

Well, not really!!  Sometimes we hear the owls at night, but we have never seen one.  That was until today!  Very early this morning I glanced out our kitchen window and saw a baby owl on our deck.  Now that was really cool!  And very exciting!!  When I carefully returned to the window with the camera, the owl was gone.

This afternoon it's been snowing.  I was watching the snowflakes float down.  While looking at the trees, suddenly an owl came into view!  This owl was larger and perched on a branch.  Every so often it would shake the snow off his head.

Look carefully...

It enjoyed its perch for quite a while.  Suddenly, it was gone and then returned again to the same spot.   

What a very cool day I will not forget!!
  
Enjoying Nature!

A Taste of Winter!

A view from our front window!

Snowflakes fell last night.  Well, it is February.  During the daytime hours we've been getting a taste of Spring, lately.  Daily walks outside are great!  Brisker weather came in yesterday and the flakes fell.  In the wee hours of the AM the snow plows cleared our streets and we are all good to go again.

Our Grill is hibernating!

This week we just may be able to use the grill!

Enjoying the seasons!

 

~Quick Glance~

~Today's View~
at Noontime

It's February 9th!  It is winter and the light snowflakes keep falling today!  Schools are closed for the day in the northeast & the snowplow has visited my neighborhood already this AM.  It will return! Yesterday, our thermometer reading was 51°F.  Today is a totally different story.  There is no taking a walk outside for me.  Our handy dandy treadmill will be used!

But, what a beautiful view from any window in our home!

Enjoy!

      

Humor in Our Front Yard!

Can there really be more snow???

Butternut Squash Muffins with Currants

Butternut Squash Muffins with Currants

"Totally awesome!" was the review of a warm Butternut Squash Muffin after it had cooled for about 20 minutes. 

There has not been much baking going on in my kitchen this past 21/2 weeks.  My "common cold" did not feel ordinary to me!  Friday evening at dinner we enjoyed Baked wild caught Sockeye Salmon, Butternut Squash along with a Baked Potato.   Planning ahead, I'd saved 1/2 cup of the Butternut Squash before it was even placed on our dinner table.

I had plans!  All I could envision was a batch of Butternut Squash Muffins - with currants.  On Saturday my kitchen was filled with the aroma of Butternut Squash, Cinnamon & Nutmeg.  It took little time to place 12 golden muffins on the cooling rack.  Before I knew it, 11 muffins remained.  A warm muffin is a fave with my DH.

After taking pan out of oven, I tip the muffins in the pan. 
Then remove them to place on a cooling rack to cool.

***Egg Whites, Soy Milk, Olive Oil for baking & sauteing are always ingredients in my muffin recipes, any time of year.  This recipe keeps in with the theme of Heart Healthy February!  It's easy, yummy & moisty!  The addition of Currants = Yum!  If & whenever you have a 1/2 cup of Butternut Squash, bake a batch!  Better yet, if you have 1 cup, bake a double batch & freeze most of them to enjoy later. 

***Yes, Pumpkin can be substituted for the Butternut Squash! 

Butternut Squash Muffins with Currants
Oven:  400°F
Yield:  12 Muffins

Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt 
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
2 Egg Whites (or 1 Whole Egg)
3/4 cup Soy Milk
1/4 cup Olive Oil (for Sauteing & Baking)
1/2 cup mashed Butternut Squash
1/4 cup Currants

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Place muffin liners in muffin pan.
3. Combine first 6 dry ingredients.  Stir to mix.
4. Separate Egg Whites.  Place Egg Whites in small bowl and beat with fork.  (If using 1 Whole Egg, beat with fork.)
5. Add Soy Milk (Milk), Olive Oil & Butternut Squash to Egg Whites, stir.
6. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients.  
7. Add Currants.
8. Mix all ingredients until moistened.  Batter will be lumpy.
9. Fill muffin cups by evenly dividing batter.
10. Bake 20 - 22 minutes in 400°F oven until muffins are lightly browned on top.
11. Remove muffins from pan immediately.
12. Cool muffins on racks.

Currants are a great addition here.  Yes, Raisins can be used, but I prefer the small currants.  These muffins are totally awesome!  :)  

Tonight, Butternut Squash was the veggie at dinner.  After all, it is a fave veggie here!  Can you guess what is now waiting in our fridge???  Much Snow is forecasted for Thursday.  Our snow blower will get more exercise!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

~and

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

                           

February 29, 2012

February 29, 2012

After our infamous Halloween Nor'easter in the fall, we've had a most pleasant winter!  Mild temps and not much snowfall.  Winter came and left in late October/ early November for us.  Skiers could travel north and enjoy the powder this winter, if they desired.

This year we do have the gift of an extra day in our calendar year!  Guess what???  It's s..n..o..w..i..n..g!!!  No Grilling the Haddock tonight!  I was planning on baking Lasagna, anyway!  :)

Enjoy!