Thrown Together Banana & Applesauce Muffins

I don’t even know how they got that way in the fridge without me noticing. It was overnight, I think. My bananas were so ugly! They were so yucky that I didn’t want to touch them but I couldn’t bring myself to throw them out. They weren’t terribly ugly on the inside though, just mushy. 

I knew I had the basics in the pantry to whip up some small muffins. Anyone who has cooked for a few years knows the basic ingredients for bread products. I keep self-rising flour too, so it’s easy peasy! I guesstimated all measures. 

For 6 muffins, I mashed the 2 bananas in a bowl. I added 2 eggs, about 3/4 cups of sugar and a tsp of vanilla. I stirred it up well by hand. I then added self-rising flour, applesauce to thicken them and add more flavor, and a little milk. I gently stirred it, again by hand, until it was just moistened and still lumpy.

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I closely watched the consistency because I didn’t want them to bake out overly dry or too soft and crumbly. I could always have added more flour if the mix became too wet but that would possibly mean having to add more sugar, vanilla, etc. Sometimes adding more flour and other ingredients at the late stage of mixing can toughen and coarsen the end product.

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Spooned the mix into the greased muffin tin. I chopped up some nuts that I had on hand and sprinkled them over the tops with a little sugar. I pressed the nuts down a little with the back of a spoon so that they would not fall off during the rising.

I baked them on 400 and watched them after about 20 min. When they began to brown, I tested them with a knife until they were done to my liking.

They came out REALLY well! With butter spread over the tops and coffee, they were delish! As you can see, two were quickly gone!

TIPS:

• Using milk browns better than water, though water will do in a pinch for some recipes.

• Adding applesauce will add moisture so reduce the amount of milk/liquid.

• When guesstimating, it’s better to add a little liquid at a time rather than having to add more flour/dry products because the mix has become too wet. Over-compensating and over-stirring can make the baked good coarse and tough. 

Lettuce Craft Forum featured this post.

See other Kitchen Minute posts.

 

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How To Use Keywords

I am still reaping the benefits of using keywords whenever I write blog post titles, product descriptions and social media shares. The importance of keywords is still a valuable topic today. Read these statements that will help you to understand why keywords are important.

Moz

Keywords are important because they are the linchpin between what people are searching for and the content you are providing to fill that need.

Ahref

Keywords are important because your website can show up when people type them into search engines. 

Semrush

Keywords are how your customers find you.  

Hubspot

Keywords are words or phrases that users type into search engines to find relevant content for their queries.

Yoast

If you do use the words people are searching for, your business can thrive. So if you see it like that, your keywords should reflect what your audience is searching for.  

Still wishing you could boost your sales? Finding and using keywords will help increase your traffic. When are you going to take keyword search seriously? In my book, Simple Keyword Search That Even You Will Feel Like Doing, I break down my search process into easy steps. The quick processes that I share are timeless in their application in online marketing. 

If you can't pay a marketing specialist to do it for you, you can swiftly add your own streamlined keyword search process to your schedule. It will help to draw more customers in and still leave maximum time for you to create.

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Handmade Mini Accordian Journal Tutorial

I had a lightweight piece of folded scrap cardboard with even the little end flap folded. I liked it and didn't want to toss it. I also had written the word*LOVE* on a scrap of paper with the last of some glitter paint in a squeeze bottle. 

One day I thought, This love word would fit perfectly on the front, and I could make a mini folded book. Instead of time-worn love themes, I decided on the scripture Love thy neighbor as thyself. (Mark 12:31)

I thought about a neighborhood design with houses made of triangles and squares of scrap paper. I then changed the theme to the paraphrase I love myself and my neighbors benefit! This fitted perfectly with my belief that if we don't learn to love ourselves first we can't truly love anyone else. I decided it would focus on self-love and high self-esteem.

I painted the entire piece of cardboard, back and front, with metallic copper acrylic paint in one of the 4 oz bottles from the craft section at Wmart. I then dry-brushed in places gold glitter paint.

I added a flower die cut and a faceted metallic rhinestone to accent the O in Love. I added sequins and other rhinestones to embellish the front.

I kept gathering all types of scraps from my scavenged stash to fill out my neighborhood and the sky above. I typed out and printed the quote and collaged it down. The phrases Be Happy and Count Your Blessings are from a sheet of transparent quote stickers for scrapbooking.

I made flower bushes by cutting up used greeting cards. I made trees by cutting turquoise cardstock with decorative paper edger scissors and drawing on details. My color theme evolved into mostly purple, yellow and turquoise.

On the back side and further playing on the neighborhood/home theme, I designed the narrow flap to mimic a front door. The 2 strings with end beads simulates a pull doorbell. The eye and the inkwell leads to what is inside, a chance to write something good about self.

Once you open the door, you can see the full invitation quote, What I love about me. Two micro tags are attached to the door chime pulls and are not removable. The mini tag with the colorful pony beads strung on eyelash yarn can be removed from the heart-printed, vellum pocket. On these tags are to be written a few individual words that describe what is beautiful about you.

The bluebird, the fence and the flower bush was cut from greeting cards. The seagulls are clip art.

As you can imagine, this was a very satisfying project. This sweet little handmade book got away from me when it sold at Etsy. 🥲 Like a loved one who has passed, I have the pics to remind me of happy times and to share. We can try but we can never really remake one-offs. The spirit is just not there, although something brand new and just as beautiful can be made.

I love the creative flow of altered art. It can be exhausting to think about creating something like this. The ease is in receiving the inspiration and letting the flow come and then it creates itself. It also tells you when it's finished.