Apple Muffins

"What sweet thing will we make today mummy'?" Hmmm, making sweet things wasn't really on the days agenda.  "I want to make apple muffins". "Can we make apple muffins?". "Lets make apple muffins mummy", "Is that a plan mummy?" Such willpower. I can put off and delay her inspiration for a little while, pull out the paints, or the playdough, but the little Bowerbird does not forget, and she does not give up. "Mummy, you said after lunch we'd make apple muffins" (cleverly omitting the 'might' in my sentence).  Really, I should just say yes straight away and begin the inevitable, after all, what's not to like about apple muffins?

We are Googling recipes and the little one instructs, A is for apple. She knows I am typing letters. We choose this one http://www.food.com/recipe/apple-cupcakes-41260

They looked promising on the outside, but when chopped in half they were seriously moist, wet in fact, not quite the result I was after. 

At first I thought they were a disaster, but warmed up in the microwave they were like a desert apple pudding, and as the days went by they improved. Not one muffin from the doubled recipe was wasted. It did seem a strange recipe as I was making it, no eggs.

The above images are of May's apple muffins which I never bothered posting, as they weren't really up to scracth.

When the urge for apple muffins struck the little one yesterday we decided to try a different recipe. This one used chopped rather than grated apples. http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2010/08/apple-cinnamon-muffins.html  The little Bowerbird helped dice them into small pieces. There was mixing, and lots of tasting. Again we took a punt and doubled the recipe, 12 muffins last a pitifully short time in our house. Rather than making the topping we just sprinkled on some raw sugar.

These muffins are light and filled with tasty apple chunks, just perfect.  The funny thing is, that  the little Bowerbird has turned her nose up at them. She doesn't really like the chunks of apple. Sigh, at least the rest of the house is happy.

Whilst I Was Gardening

I was gardening at a good friends house today.  Kim always greets me with a lovely cup of tea and a chat, served from a fancy dressed teapot. Check out the amazing Roger Rampant tea cosy she recently made, he is kooky wonderful and I'm sure he will be loved. Gardening at Kim's is such good fun, I get thoroughly spoilt with her beautiful cooking - lunch was a caramelised onion and goats cheese tart, served with a pear and pine nut salad, and a glass of wine.  Doing it tough. And I haven't even got to afternoon tea.

Whilst I was away Mr Bowerbird was working on a project of his own.  The three little Bowerbirds joined in, drawing string lines, digging holes and erecting poles.

I'll leave what they are making as a mysterious "to be continued", as the project has just begun. You may be able to guess what they are up to without too much trouble.

There was eating the last of the Autumn raspberries and some photography by the biggest Bowerbird (all her photos).

I came home to a dinner of mushrooms with pasta. Not any old mushrooms, Saffron Milk Caps that the big Bowerbird had foraged. She had also been busy preserving apples for me, all chopped, dipped in lemon and placed in the food dehydrator.  She actually made a batch last weekend but they are already all gone, sweet tangy deliciousness.

Finally there was cake, courtesy of Kim and the generous wedge she sent home with us.  Giant smiles all round. "That was the best cake, the best", harked the middle Bowerbird, hoping there would be seconds. I will have to get that recipe from you Kim, very popular with everyone. Thankyou for all your spoiling and kind comments. It's going to be hard coming back to finish the job.

The picture doesn't do it justice, there wasn't much time before it was greedily devoured.

Tantrums and apples

The promise of fruit

 Plums

Kiwi vine

 new growth on the fig cutting

 Attempts at grafting apples

Wild Strawberries

 nectarine