Inundated with recipes. . . using eggs & blueberries.

Are you, like me, amazed at the enormous number of recipes now available to the home cook? It appears that no matter what you read - magazines, newspapers, supplements, advertising, even real estate listing publications - they all now include something to cook. Online recipes - dare I even go there - from thousands of food/cooking blogs which offer recipes from every part of the world. I do love looking when the photos often include scenery away from the kitchen stove or counters - they often bring more interest for me aside from the actual recipe. Last, but definitely not least, there are of course several new, usually expensive 'you have to buy me' cook books published every day of the week it seems.

I love to cook, and bake, and, on flipping through the latest copy of a local magazine which had a lovely article on blueberries - the season here for local picking of 'blues' is coming up now as the strawberry season ends - there was the recipe!  With an abundance of fresh farm eggs and and blueberries on hand I couldn't resist trying the Blueberry Streusel Muffins. . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . even though I was not planning to bake a thing this past week!  

We've really been overdoing the sweet things in life, using lockdown as the

 excuse for putting on a few pounds, whereas perhaps it's really only from

 eating more of the wrong things and moving less!

Antique Wedgwood Etruria "LACE" pattern soup bowl. Markings date it 

prior 1860 - so one of my oldest pieces of china. Has a major crack so I 

only use for display.

These muffins were more involved in the making than my easy

 Old Fashioned Bluberry Muffin recipe used for at least 40 years, enjoyed

 and used by all who try them. 

The topping with extra butter, sugar and flour is just not needed, made the

 muffin heavier, more greasy, and of course much higher in calories! 

 Tasty, but I will definitely go back to my original recipe. . . . . . . . . . proof

 that the old fashioned things in life are often still the best!

Yesterday, farmer friend Linda, now getting plenty of eggs again from her chickens

 after a couple of weeks of them going broody and not laying, drove into town. 

We met in a parking lot wearing masks and gloves - along with other customers

 doing the same - and I came home with two dozen beautiful eggs.  

Cooking and baking is on the horizon again, along with more walking perhaps!!!!!

Tomorrow is Memorial Day, usually a family/friends get together cheerful holiday. 

This year is a lot different for many of us still choosing not to rush out and gather

in a group as many have started to do.  

Our day will be just another day here at home, but we will fire up the grill, fly the flag

on the front porch, enjoy a hot, sunny day. . . . . . . and again be so very thankful

 for our garden refuge.

We will also remember the true reason for the day and hope you and your

 loved ones, even if apart, do the same.

The original British 'nursery food' grows up. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . but even more important, now we know so much more about nutrition,
 the old familiar phrase from British kitchens and nurseries on cold, damp wintry
 mornings, is perhaps more important for we grown up children!

Antique soup bowl Doulton's 'Chrysanthemum'  ~ Anthropologie white latte bowl ~ vintage silver monogrammed spoon ~ antique French table linens.

My almost daily breakfast is my bowl of oatmeal. Although I rarely take time
 to make porridge from scratch and admit to tearing open one of those little
 brown paper packets - Trader Joe's Maple & Brown Sugar is my favorite - I feel
  the almost instant microwave version is still nutritious. . . . . . especially
 when doctored up a bit with healthy additions, including some oat bran flakes
 as these have often been removed during processing oats.

Because I have trouble swallowing uncooked fruits (even with the thyroid gone
 over seven months the problem continues somewhat), I 'cook' my strawberries,
 banana, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, whatever I have on hand, cut up
 if large, along with the oatmeal and water. It takes a little longer - perhaps
 up to two minutes - but is really good, and very hot. I then add a dollop of rich
 creamy Greek yogurt, and today you can see a spoonful of last Summer's
 homemade fig jam as I have many pots to use up.

Because I eat a late breakfast this often is also my lunch, so I have no feelings of
 guilt with full fat yogurt (I so dislike fat free) or a little extra sugar from the jam. 
I've even got Bob eating more oatmeal lately, although he prefers his added 
fruits uncooked and adds a splash of heavy cream instead of yogurt.

Here's the link to another post I wrote back in 2012 with more about the

importance of oatmeal in our diets - and it includes a recipe for a quick breakfast

 Apple Crisp. . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . and if you are not a hot cereal lover, and I know from those older

 oatmeal posts there are some of you out there. . . . . . . here's link to a simple

 breakfast with a bowl of fruit and yogurt which is also healthy - Breakfast with Apples.

This sunny Sunday morning is quite amazing already. the clock is just striking 
9:00 AM and the temperature has already reached 50F. This afternoon we'll
be breaking the record for this date when it's due to hit 80F. 
Not exactly a 'wintry morning' here today, however I'm off to make
my porridge soon!

Autumn - perhaps time for a picnic.

I parked in front of a really tacky thrift shop when popping into my local Aldi on Monday

to pick up zucchini, squash, cauliflower, mushrooms etc. for soups - prices half of what you 

pay at the big grocery chains. 

Anyway, this thrift shop is rather nasty but I thought as I was right in front of the door I'd 

toss the veggies in the car and run in for a quick look before leaving.

Who knows, maybe some unexpected treasure would be discovered.

Since my lovely friend Vanessa moved away, and I no longer have a booth at SuzAnna's 

Antiques with her, visiting places such as thrift shops seems to have come to a halt.

My creative juices have dried up lately, but with the cooler weather on the way, I'm feeling 

more like getting out and doing some treasure hunting again!

So, what did I find?

Bob and I have decided we need to get out and visit more of North Carolina, 
especially places we can see during a fun day trip, or perhaps an overnight if we 
want to go a little further.

One item we keep meaning to replace is the old worn out picnic basket which we 
actually threw out a couple of years ago. It would be nice to pack a light lunch, an 
afternoon tea. . . . . or an aperitif if we decide to stay the night and don't have to drive home.

I was thrilled to find the woven basket sitting on a shelf, empty of course, 
but in great condition, no stains or rips in the dark green check lining fabric, 
closure and handles all in great shape.

I asked them if they could discount the price as there were no picnic accessories 

included - they took $1 off and I purchased happily for $6.99 - a bargain!

I thought I'd gussie it up a bit and add some of my pretty antique china and 

serving utensils before taking photos to share with you. 

Of course I will use more utilitarian 

accouterments for a real picnic . . . . . . but no plastic I promise!

Don't you think it's a cute basket, and such an unusual shape which makes 

it look quite vintage.

Do you. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Like to picnic?

Have a special basket?

Consider picnicking on golden Autumn days?

Would you like to come along on a picnic some day?

See you in the country!