As I left the grocery store today, an eighty year old man offered to take my cart back to the storefront. Sun spots dotted the top of his bald head, wrinkles adorned his jowls, and yet he smiled as if he was a 5 year old boy receiving his first bicycle.
"Don't worry," I replied, but he insisted, taking my basket away with a force surprising for such a feeble old man.
I stood and watched him walk my cart up to the store. He looked both ways before crossing the busy lane in front and then smiled at me as he slowly and steadily walked back to his car.
Thank you, I told him, as I offered the biggest grin my younger cheeks could allow. "You're too kind," I continued. But he waved me off.
"It's nothing, my dear."
As he got into his car I saw a bag of white roses sitting in the front seat (as if this man needed to win me over anymore). I imagined him coming home to a similarly feeble wife with a bag of cookies and a bouquet of roses that matched the color of her hair.
They would sit together, dip shortbread into cups of tea, and talk about the days that they cherished, the moments of laughter, of celebration, of persevering through what seemed like the most terrifying of storms.
And then I thought of my own partner. How much younger we were, how much of life we had before us...and yet I knew that when he walked through the door this afternoon , we would also find ourselves sitting together, dipping cookies into tea, and talking about our days.
This is my life, I thought to myself, and I drove home content.
"Don't worry," I replied, but he insisted, taking my basket away with a force surprising for such a feeble old man.
I stood and watched him walk my cart up to the store. He looked both ways before crossing the busy lane in front and then smiled at me as he slowly and steadily walked back to his car.
Thank you, I told him, as I offered the biggest grin my younger cheeks could allow. "You're too kind," I continued. But he waved me off.
"It's nothing, my dear."
As he got into his car I saw a bag of white roses sitting in the front seat (as if this man needed to win me over anymore). I imagined him coming home to a similarly feeble wife with a bag of cookies and a bouquet of roses that matched the color of her hair.
They would sit together, dip shortbread into cups of tea, and talk about the days that they cherished, the moments of laughter, of celebration, of persevering through what seemed like the most terrifying of storms.
And then I thought of my own partner. How much younger we were, how much of life we had before us...and yet I knew that when he walked through the door this afternoon , we would also find ourselves sitting together, dipping cookies into tea, and talking about our days.
This is my life, I thought to myself, and I drove home content.
When I received a package of goodies from Tate's Bake Shop, I thought of quiet moments like this. I thought of sitting together, eating a special afternoon treat, and talking about the the joys and pains of living.
The folks at Tate's Bake Shop were gracious enough to send me three packages of cookies. Ryan and I began our sampling last night, and we were thrilled with each and every bite. These cookies are crisp, buttery, and flavored with what tastes like love. Tate's Bake Shop is famous for these cookies, and they ship them all over the world (I can see why!)
The folks at Tate's Bake Shop were gracious enough to send me three packages of cookies. Ryan and I began our sampling last night, and we were thrilled with each and every bite. These cookies are crisp, buttery, and flavored with what tastes like love. Tate's Bake Shop is famous for these cookies, and they ship them all over the world (I can see why!)
But even better, they also sent me their beautiful baking book. This collection of recipes is perfect for those of you who long to fill your homes with the familiar and comforting baked goods that you grew up with. I thought of family when I perused this book, and as I took out my pan of carrot muffins this morning, I wished I had my sisters nearby to share these moist and flavorful muffins with.
After perusing page after page of tempting treats, I settled on these carrot muffins because I think we all need a break from the overly sweetened baked goods we've been making and consuming.
Now don't think that these are health-food items. Contrary, they are moist and sweet and a delightful way to start your day. Similar to carrot cake, these are hard to resist. And aren't those muffin domes just perfect?
Tate's Bake Shop would also like to provide one of my readers with the opportunity to sample their goodies and their cookbook. If you are a US resident, please leave a comment below to enter the contest!
-For an extra entry: become a fan of Tate's Bake Shop on Facebook
-For an extra entry: become a fan of Anecdotes and Apple Cores on Facebook
I will draw for the winner on Sunday night!
Additionally, many of their baked goods are available to purchase on their website, and all of my readers can receive a 15% discount by entering the discount code "cookie" until December 31st.
Thank you so much Tate's Bake Shop!
Now don't think that these are health-food items. Contrary, they are moist and sweet and a delightful way to start your day. Similar to carrot cake, these are hard to resist. And aren't those muffin domes just perfect?
Tate's Bake Shop would also like to provide one of my readers with the opportunity to sample their goodies and their cookbook. If you are a US resident, please leave a comment below to enter the contest!
-For an extra entry: become a fan of Tate's Bake Shop on Facebook
-For an extra entry: become a fan of Anecdotes and Apple Cores on Facebook
I will draw for the winner on Sunday night!
Additionally, many of their baked goods are available to purchase on their website, and all of my readers can receive a 15% discount by entering the discount code "cookie" until December 31st.
Thank you so much Tate's Bake Shop!
So I hope you enjoy this muffin recipe as much as I did. Have a love-filled weekend, my friends!
Carrot Muffins
*From Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2 cups carrots, grated
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup raisins
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 apple, peeled and chopped
Granola (optional)
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Grease a 12 tin muffin pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl combine the sugar, oil and eggs. Mix until well combined. Stir in the carrots, pecans, vanilla and apple.
3. Fold in the flour mixture with a rubber spatula.
4. Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared muffin cups. If desired, sprinkle granola over the top of the batter. The muffin cups should be filled to the top.
5. Bake muffins for 20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
Always,
Monet
Anecdotes and Apple Cores
Carrot Muffins
*From Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2 cups carrots, grated
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup raisins
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 apple, peeled and chopped
Granola (optional)
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Grease a 12 tin muffin pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl combine the sugar, oil and eggs. Mix until well combined. Stir in the carrots, pecans, vanilla and apple.
3. Fold in the flour mixture with a rubber spatula.
4. Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared muffin cups. If desired, sprinkle granola over the top of the batter. The muffin cups should be filled to the top.
5. Bake muffins for 20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
Always,
Monet
Anecdotes and Apple Cores
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