Madelines have always been my favorite type of cookie. I think it's because of my name....Or because of the large quantity of butter required. Either way they have a sweet spot in my heart : )

Does anybody have a favorite Madeline Cookie recipe they recommend? I've tried a few but I not happy with them yet...Feel free to comment and share your favorite version of Madeline Cookie recipes!

My Latest Addiction

This summer I am starting my days off right with a healthy morning smoothie! Each day I create something different and delicious, using blending odd combos together such as ginger + banana + dates, or coconut milk + heaps of protein powder + cinnamon, or walnuts + blueberries + Naked Green Machine...You get the picture I'm in love with liquid breakfast's : )
My latest addition involves a combo which looks too healthy to drink, but I promise once you taste it you'll crave it for every meal!

Banana Bread Green Monster (serves two…or one very thirsty lady)

• 1 ripe banana, frozen (peel before freezing!)
• 1 C milk
• 2 handfuls spinach leaves (I use fresh)
• 1/4 C walnuts
• 1/4 C oats
• sprinkle of cinnamon

My first though upon making this was, “how the heck have I never thought of this before?!”

So delicious!

Combine the ingredients in your blender, light stuff on bottom (spinach, oats, cinnamon, walnuts), heavy stuff on top (banana–and ice, if you use it), and pour the milk over the top.

Blend the heck out of it until it’s nice and smooth.

Recipe is from: http://www.fullmeasureofhappiness.com/2012/05/03/banana-bread-green-monster/

A Look into My Life

These last few weeks have been filled with trips, unexpected guests, warm windy weather, bike rides, late night trips to the dollar store and bunches of baking! I have been working and sadly, have not have the time to construct decent pictures and recipes to share! So here is a small glimpse into my every day life!

COMING SOON!! Need to make a few improvements in the recipe, then I will be sending this goodness your wayy!

Early Spring time bike ride with the dog is my favorite! The wind was blowing so hard, I think it was actually pushing me backwards.

She loves, LOVES to play with her tennis ball & frisbee!

It was a pink shorts, giant USA sweatshirt, converse, ball-cap kind of day.

What my usual day consists: coffee, space heaters, loads of water and school, and twitter. Yes, I tweet. It's amazing! You should try

Opposite View-gross hair & tired eyes.

The few times I try to dress nicely, put on some lipstick, burn my forehead curling my hair and see friends. It doesn't happen to often, but sometimes I try to dress like my sister and do my hair like my other sister, it doesn't always work like I hope.

Weekend hikes. I was raised hiking, and I continually crave to hike, especially now that spring is sharing her sun. This view made my heart rejoice in the glory of the Lord. Seriously, look what he made?! And I get to enjoy this beauty continually.  What a great God!

My favorite little town, with my favorite little Golden( :

Next hike: Coffepot!

 I hope you are having a blessed week, enjoying the sun, baking goodies and eating as much watermelon as possible! :] (summer is almost here, yippee!)

Late Night Blueberry Muffins

These muffins aren't entitled Late Night muffins because you can only eat them at night...even though they do make for a great 2am "break from school snack".

For some reasons, the numerous times I have made these, it has only been between the hours of 7pm-10:30 pm. Usually because I either forgot an order for the next day or I never got around to making them during the day, either way, they are totally worth it.

I hope you understand that you do not have to make these at weird hours like I have. Make them in the middle of the day, dancing, blasting Coldplays new CD through the house while your cat and dog both stare at you while you trip and fall over your two left feet. That's just a simple girls idea..who may or may not have done that before. 

These muffins are perfect, blue, big and chock full of butter and sugar. What more could you ask for?

I know they are a delicacy, but fresh blueberries are essential for this recipe. Cut out the Starbucks this week and splurge on organic, fresh blueberries, you won't regret it!

For these muffins, you make a simple blueberry jam by bringing 1 teaspoon of sugar + 1 cup of blueberries to a boil by smashing the blueberries with a spoon! It is as fun as it sounds!

Butter AND Buttermilk ensure that these muffins will turn out perfectly!

Once everything is incorporated and measured into muffin cups, you gently swirl the blueberry jam into the muffins. Yes, they will turn purple, this turns into the perfect blue, in the cooked blueberry muffin.

Usually the muffins will be much larger. I was making a double batch, cutting the size in half, measuring just under a 1/4 cup. Typically one would want to use a 1/3 cup.

I hope this week finds you seeing hints of spring,inspired and maybe even willing to try a new recipe or two!

Blueberry Muffins

Adapted from America's Test Kitchen Cookbook 

Makes 12 Muffins

Topping

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons finely grate lemon zest

Muffins

2 cups (two packages from store) of fresh blueberries

1 1/8 cup + 1 teaspoon sugar (for jam) 

2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, slightly cooled

4 tablespoons vegetable oil (I used conalia oil, which you prefer, or have!) 

1 cup buttermilk (if you do not have buttermilk, no worries, fill a one cup measuring just a few teaspoons shy of a cup, fill the extra space with vinegar )

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a small bow, stir together the lemon zest and sugar for the topping. Set aside.

Adjust the oven rack to upper middle, heat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray or line (I have done both, if spraying make muffins small to ensure no overspills) a standard size muffin pan. Bring 1 cup of blueberries and 1 teaspoon of sugar to a small simmer over medium heat. You will do this by squishing the blueberries to extract their juice. Stir  frequently, until the berries and sugar is thickened into a jam, do not over cook! Remove from heat, and let sit.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk the remaining 1 1/8 cup of sugar and eggs together in a separate bowl for 1 minute, until homogeneous.  Slowly whisk in the melted butter and oil unit fully combined. Incorporate the buttermilk and vanilla until combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold the egg mixture and remaining 1 cup of blueberries into the flour mixture. Do not over mix. Leave some lumps and dry spots of flour. 

Using a 1/3 cup measure, divide the batter equally among the prepared muffin cups. Spoon 1 teaspoon of the blueberry jam into the center of each muffin. Using a chopstick, gently swirl the berry filling into the batter very well. Do not put chopstick in the dishwasher when cleaning up, I've leaned the hard way:) Once this has been done to each muffin, sprinkle the lemon-sugar evenly over each muffin.

Bake until the muffin tops are golden and just firm, 17-19 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through baking. If you are making the muffins smaller, don't forget to reduce the time. Cool the muffins in the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to store, or serve with butter and coffee!

Hello!

Baking and Cooking is something I have loved for a few years, and as my passion for discovering my recipes for chocolate cake, breads, cookies and pies grow, I wanted to start documenting them, hoping to share a little bit of my life with you. I will post my recipes, ideas, and everyday thoughts on "It's All in the Wrist!".

My baking Mentors
My grandfather, he can bake and cook anything. His passion and love for food combinations is where my inspiration comes from. No one can touch his bread, pizza, or banana bread.
Also, my grandmother makes the best chocolate cake with sweet vanilla frosting.
My mother is also a mentor, as she always made beautiful birthday cakes for my sisters and I, and I hope someday to made cakes like she did for my children. 
Joy the baker is another mentor of mine, as she has inspired me to start this baking adventure with as much love, cookies and butter as possible!