Really Good Recipes: Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Marking for future reference, I'm intrigued by the yogurt.  All we had tonight was vanilla yogurt...hmm.  They're rising in the oven as I type so I'll be back later for a review and pictures.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Really Good Recipes: Meatloaf!

I am a huge fan of meatloaf.  HUGE.  The best I've ever had until yesterday was from Roaster's here in Atlanta (I mean gooooood, *better than my Mom's* good), however thanks to my new bff's Gina and Pat Neely from FoodNetwork, I have a new dish to share!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 ounces mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup panko (Japanese) breadcrumbs
• 6 ounces crumbled blue cheese
• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce (I used ketchup)
• 1 shallot, sliced (skipped to avoid son's "Ew, what's that?")
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Saute until mushrooms are browned, about 5 to 6 minutes.

Stir in red pepper flakes and saute for 1 more minute. Add chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce, remove from heat and allow to cool.

In a large bowl, combine egg, panko, blue cheese, and mushroom mixture. Fold in turkey and combine. Don't over work or the meatloaf will be tough.

Shape into a long rectangular loaf directly on a sheet tray. Spoon tomato sauce on top of the loaf and shingle sliced shallots down the top. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, and serve.

Lucky in May...emerald birthstone!

Sold and re-listed, I've created yet another pair of these fun earrings for my Etsy shop featuring my newest favorite of the Swarovski line...."opal" finish.  Green meets gold in a simple yet fun design!

Amethyst!

Just received the loveliest bunch of natural amethyst nuggets in the mail today!  I nearly attacked our mail carrier when she pulled up, I've been waiting on these beauties all week :)  Below is what I was able to whip up tonight after the kiddos went to bed, be on the lookout for matching earrings and other great pieces to come this week in my shop.

Just Listed!

This week's focus has been on getting a new desk job, interview is today and I'm having a panic attack.  If I win this position, I'll have 3 jobs officially.  Things are tight right now, so tight that I can't even visit the thrift store for the craft project I've got me eye on.

Soooo, despite the craziness I managed to get these two necklaces finished and photographed for my shop, and although I claim to only make one-of-a-kind pieces, I might have to recreate the lapis lazuli one for me.  I LOVE it.  I wore it yesterday to my son's school for carpool and 4 women wanted it within minutes.  Good thing I had my business cards on hand (think, Abbie, think....remember to market yourself!)

Cleopatra's Charms Necklace

Fog Necklace

Contact Me!

If you would like to share a recipe, craft project, comment or any other miscellaneous contribution, and for all other inquiries:

sweetmaggiejane@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Maggie, Flower Girl

My sister is getting married in May and we're now less than 90 days away from the big event.  She wants my sons to walk with my daughter down the aisle for her very important role as flower girl.  The wedding colors are gunmetal, happy yellow and fuchsia....and this is the dress for Maggie.  Cute, huh?  She's almost 2, by the way.  My other sister and I are the bridesmaids (err, matron of honor) and our dresses are a simple gunmetal polished cotton.  The colors are so pretty all put together, no surprise since my sissy Katherine is the fashionista among us 3.  I'm busy working on the jewelry for the wedding....not an easy task I might add.  There are too many fabulous choices!

Here's the most wonderful part about this dress...................$20 at Target  :)