JAMSquared

I read a number of food related blogs (although I’m way behind) and a while back, I had bookmarked these muffins made by Ashley of Delish. I made them last week and James and I enjoyed them for breakfast for a number of days. I enjoyed the crumb topping; however, it became mushy (but still delicious) by the time we finished the last two muffins yesterday. So if you prefer a more crumbly crumb topping, eat them fast, which would so not be difficult to do.

Banana Chocolate Crumb Muffins

Source: Delish

Ingredients:

• 3 to 4 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (if desired, substitute 3/4-1 cup all-purpose flour for wheat pastry flour)

Crumb Topping Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cold butter
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line muffin tin with paper liners.

In a large mixing bowl, mix bananas and butter. Stir in granulated sugar, egg and vanilla. Sprinkle baking soda, baking powder and salt over the mixture. Add the flour; mix until just incorporated. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

For crumb topping: in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and flour. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Stir in mini chocolate chips. Sprinkler topping over muffins.

Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean.

Yield: 12 muffins

I enjoy sketch challenges and I especially enjoy the Mojo Monday sketches. They get me using more layers and I really like how the extra layers add depth to my cards. Below is my take on sketch 107. I made this card for my friend Kristy’s birthday whose favorite color is red.

Stamps: The Cat’s Pajamas Smells Like Cake
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Always Artichoke
Designer Paper: Stampin’ Up Summer Picnic
Ink:  a crappy black that smudged when I colored since my Stazon Jet Black needs reinking
Accessories:  Stampin’ Up Bashful Blue brads; Stampin’ up Real Red 1/2″ striped  grosgrain ribbon; Stickles Xmas Red (cupcake sprinkles) and Yellow (star); colored pencils

I made four of these cards back in August for some September birthdays. I think they turned out pretty well. What do you think?

Stamps: CC Designs Swiss Pixie Heidi Among the Flowers; Stampin’ Up Hugs and Wishes (sentiment)
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum
Ink:  Stampin’ Up Elegant Eggplant; Stazon Jet Black
Markers: Stampin’ Up So Saffron, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum Mellow Moss, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink; Spica Clear; Sakura Gelly Roll Silver
Tools: eyelet border punch

Earlier this month, the sister of a lady at work passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. I made the following card for everyone in our group to sign for her. I wanted it to be simple, but sincere. I also made it large (5.5-in. x 8.25-in.)  so there would be room for everyone to sign.

Stamps: Stampin’ Up Close as a Memory (sentiment)
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze
Designer Paper:  Stampin’ Up Afternoon Tea
Ink/Embossing Powder:  Versamark, Stampin’ Up White Detail Powder
Tools:  Stampin’ Up Scallop Border Punch

Some of you have been asking to see pictures of the nursery. It’s been ready for a little while and I am finally getting around to posting pictures. I’m so happy with how it turned out. The rainforest theme (Fisher Price) is adorable. James and I are very blessed to have friends like Aric and Kristy who made the tree as a baby gift for us. The area in between the branches opens up to be a little hiding place. The bottom of the tree is open for baby JAM’s stuffed animals. She already has 6. I also really like the monkey hamper. You can see my stack of diaper covers on the changing table. I’ll keep you posted on my foray into cloth diapering.

I’ve also been remiss in posting updates about baby JAM. This coming Tuesday is her due date. It’s hard to believe that will be 40 weeks. At my checkup last week, my doctor said I was unlikely to go into labor prior to the due date. From the beginning, I thought baby JAM would be later than Oct. 6th. There’s 2 days left for her to prove me wrong. I am about 2 centimeters dialated, but I’ve been that way since week 38. I feel great and have had some of what may be contractions this weekend, but nothing regular. My next post will most likely be her introduction to the world (unless I set up some posts of some cards I need to share).

In this last picture, it seems that I look huge, but I don’t feel like I am huge.