Favorite Things Friday

Pre post update:  I am feeling better.  I still have a horrendous sore throat, but the congestion is gradually fading, and I can actually semi-taste and semi-smell.  My eyes are no longer oozing, and have just residual redness. Things are looking up.

On the election front, Mar lost.  She was bummed, but had a great attitude.  And little miss sassy pants from her class apologized for her intimidate-your-opponent campaign tactics.  She didn't win either, btw.  Mr. "vote for Kian if you're a human bein'" won for VP.  

On to my post:

I think I've mentioned before that I don't "link up" to other bloggers for "Random Thought Tuesday," "Alphabet Thursday," etc, etc, etc.  I occasionally read posts of people who regularly link up with those blogs, but blog-hopping-game-playing-contest-entering is just not my thing.  And I love the admonition given during General Conference by Elder Ardern: "...Cyber acquaintances are no lasting substitute for real friends who can give an encouraging hug, who can pray for us and seek after our best interest."

But that doesn't mean I can't create my own "day," right?  Even if it's not my original idea (I'm sure someone has a link party for it somewhere). 

Favorite Things Friday

My favorite muffin pans:

 I am a muffin tin hoarder.  I have 3 sets of the regular size, 1 set of the jumbo size, and 2 mini-muffin pans.  This particular set is my favorite.  They are probably the cheapest (I got them for a wedding gift... and I'm not saying the giver was cheap... just that they were most likely some of the more "affordable" at the time),  and they are not pretty (call them well-loved), but they turn out better cupcakes and muffins than any of my other pans.

My favorite kitchen appliance:

 I can't believe I went over 20 years without one.  Seriously, the best kitchen appliance I have ever owned.  I pause to appreciate it nearly every time I use it, and I share that admiration and gratitude with whoever happens to be around at the moment.  It was a Christmas gift from Bill a few years back.  One of those that I purchased myself.  But I thank him regularly.

Those two favorite things helped me crank out my family's favorite Pumpkin Muffins.

I modified the recipe a little to make it healthier.  I will post the original, since I have had numerous requests for it, with the modifications in parenthesis.

Favorite Pumpkin Muffins

4 eggs

2 cups sugar (1 cup sugar, 1 cup Splenda)

1-1/2 cups oil (1 cup oil)

1 (15oz) can pumpkin

3 cups flour (1 cup whole wheat flour, 2 cups all-purpose flour)

1 Tbs. cinnamon

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips (approx. 3/4 of a pkg.)

Beat eggs slightly.  Add sugar, oil and pumpkin; beat thoroughly.  Add dry ingredients and mix until smooth.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full (I used liners).  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

My children said they were delicious (I can't really make a judgement due to my semi-ability to smell and taste at the moment).

Fall is my favorite season, and today is a lovely, cool Fall day.  I made my first i-movie on the Mac for our Trek Family Reunion tomorrow, and it turned out awesome.  I really DO appreciate the genius behind the technology.

Life is good.