Muffin, May tulips, monster hat

These are the Ginger Rhubarb Muffins I made a few weeks ago. I thought they were quite addicting and even Sam would have liked them if I would have ground the rhubarb more. He doesn't like "chunks" in his muffins--mom! The ginger isn't too strong and I topped some with macadamia nuts. Here is the recipe. Try them. They really are a yummy Spring treat.

Ginger Rhubarb Muffins

1 1/4 Cup flour

1 Cup wheat flour 

(If using pastry flour (above)cut back on soda and powder slightly)

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 (scant) fresh ginger grated

1/2 Cup white sugar

1/4 C brown sugar

1 Cup plain yogurt (I like greek)

1/2 Cup buttermilk

1/3 Cup oil

1 egg

1 1/2 Cups fresh rhubarb (diced) I chopped mine pretty well

1/2 Macadamia nuts, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line muffin pan with paper liners.

In large bowl, mix together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt and grated ginger

In separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, yogurt, buttermilk, oil and egg. Stir in the rhubarb and then the flour mixture. Don't over mix.

Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Top with chopped nuts. Bake about 12-15 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

Adapted from the Woods House Bed & Breakfast

So as you know mom came to help me out in May. I had the 8 Stake Priest/Laurel formal dance and the District Boy Scout dinner. I needed mom's help desperately and I'm so very glad she came. She saved the day. Haley was able to come up for the dance and looked lovely. I felt a bit sorry for her. She didn't know really anyone and she braved it out anyways and pained the whole evening with a pretty good attitude. Carrie did her hair and she really did look lovely.

I'd like to read the 400 plus texts (smile) she must have done that night to see her true feelings. Or not. Maybe ignorance is bliss. I will say it certainly wouldn't have been my favorite night. All except the pre pampering of the evening. Nails done, hair done and chauffeured ride in the Taurus! I remember Kole having a similar evening with a boy (can't recall his name at the moment) at a Prom in Lovell. That couldn't have been all that comfortable either. And she couldn't even text to vent her pains. Oh the misery.  The good news is Haley was by far the prettiest girl there and I was proud of some of our YW for including her. Sweet Alexis Springgay, Jessica Weaver and then the gallant YM Jeremy Dance and Austin LeFevre. I think the dance was a success all in all but I hope they don't sign me next year.

The next video is more of Carrie's expertise with hair. Sam's. He claims he didn't like it-- 

but then he got to thinking he looked like Avatar. 

Now the Boy Scout dinner that was something else. Mom and I slow cooked 80 lbs of pork butt and it still wasn't enough to feed the 250 people. We ran at the last minute to buy 15 lbs BBQ from Whole foods and another 20 lbs of pulled pork. The BBQ beef was good the pulled pork (from WF) was gross. So gross I took it back the following day. We served corn on the cob, chips, Joan's baked beans--yum, and coleslaw. For dessert we served tarts. A plethora--and I mean plethora. Bruce was so proud we kept the cost down (we fed them all for about $3.00 per plate--not too shabby). Mom worked hard. She does that. She works hard and long. I know for certain I couldn't have done it without her. Thanks mom!

So after our work week we decided to celebrate. We went up to Skaggit Valley and looked at the last remnants of the tulip festival. So gorgeous.   

While mom was here the Thompson's gave us their season tickets for the Mariners Friday night game. They played the A's. We were 4 rows up from the dug out. Nice. It was a perfect evening. Who knew they now serve chocolate covered strawberries at baseball games. Also, sushi and phad thai. I'm telling you it was quite the gourmet event. I tried to look for hot dogs and beer, but none were to be found. Kidding of course, I found the beer. Kidding Bob--I didn't want to get mom drunk on her last night with us.  Sam was cute. He was so excited about going and sitting so close. He took his baseball mit and wore his batting helmet. Some may laugh or may be even slightly embarrassed but he wore that helmet with pride. 

We didn't catch any foul balls but the guy sitting on the row right behind us got struck with a foul ball in the head and said he wished he had had Sam's helmet. So then "some" of us weren't so embarrassed by the helmet I guess. The game was awesome. Tied score, last inning, 

bases loaded, 2 outs. 5 fouls later (can't remember the players name now darnit) but he hit a double and Mariners win! So fun, so fun, fun, fun for everyone. Sam loved it too. He carried around the tickets for 3 weeks after that. He said he wants to go to a game every night. SO Dave--take us out to the ball game. Take us out to the park. Buy us some peanuts and cracker jacks........