March 16, 2008

Raisin Bran Goodness

It's funny how some things don't change. It doesn't matter how old you get, or where you live, or what you have become...some things are just as good now as when you were a kid.

For instance, my grandma's raisin bran muffins. She had this great recipe that made large quantities of muffins, and you could keep the batter in the fridge and scoop out muffins as needed and bake them. My mom used to make this recipe all the time, and I can remember as a child sneaking into the fridge in our basement where the extra batter was kept and swiping some of the batter. It was as good then as it is now. :)


I decided to make some of grandma's muffins today. Now I have a fresh batch of muffins on my counter and a whole lot of batter in my fridge for future batches.

I thought I'd share the recipe with those who might like it. They're yummy, full of fiber, and the batter can be kept for 4-6 weeks in the fridge (although they are usually all made and eaten long before then...)

Raisin Bran Muffins
2 cups white sugar
1 Tbsp salt
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups cooking oil
2 cups All Bran
2 cups Bran Flakes
2 cups raisins
5 1/2 cups flour

1 liter (quart) buttermilk
8 tsp baking soda

Mix all but the buttermilk and soda in a large bowl. The batter will be dry and lumpy. Add 1/2 liter of the buttermilk to the dry mixture, combine well.

To the remaining 1/2 L buttermilk, add the soda into the carton. Close the carton, shake carefully as the mixture will foam. Pour the buttermilk/soda mixture over the batter, stir it in. Add a small amount of water to the carton, shake it around, add to mixture.

For ideal muffins, let sit in fridge for 2 days before baking.

Cook at 400F for 15-20 minutes. Makes ~4 dozen muffins.
Will keep in fridge in a well-sealed container for 4-6 weeks.

March 09, 2008

Home Made Yogourt and Other Adventures

It's been nearly 6 months since I've posted an entry on my blog. I'm not sure I can adequately express all that has happened in my life since my last entry.

The rest of the Europe trip was fun and exciting. :) Maybe I'll add another entry about Paris at some point....

I started working at a complex continuing care hospital in town.

I graduated.


I went snowboarding with friends at Tremblant and family at Blue.

Me, Tim and Sherri at Mont Tremblant on the ski lift. It was a cold day, but we had fun anyway!

Tim and I at Blue Mountain. We spent the weekend there with Gary and Sue, and it was lots of fun!


We had a wonderful (but short Christmas) - it's amazing what having a job does to your holiday time!
Tim got a cool circular saw for Christmas! :)


We have a wonderful small group that we get along well with and have a great time hanging out with!! :D

I turned 26...and Tim gave me ballroom dancing lessons for my birthday, which we are currently doing, and having a great time.


Life is good. :) My latest adventure is that I am attempting to make home-made yogourt. I''ll let you know how it works out. In the meantime, enjoy these few pictures from the last 6 months...after all, pictures are much better than words.