Best Muffins EVER!

I had to share this recipe - it's probably not real health-conscious, but I can't imagine it's THAT bad for you...oh my, they were fantastic! So fantastic that Adam and I keep saying it to each other...and so fantastic that they generated a call from my mom this morning (I brought her some last night) saying they were WAY better than Arnie's carrot cake muffins! You MUST try! I can see bringing them to a weekend away somewhere or just keeping them in your freezer...once you have all the ingredients, I'd suggest making a double batch. One batch makes about 18, and it does require some shopping.

Carrot Cake Muffins (aka, Morning Glory Muffins)
2 c. flour
1 3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. grated carrots (grate the real thing - don't buy them pre-shredded)
1/2 c. raisins**
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. shredded coconut
1/2 c. drained crushed pineapple (8 oz. can)
3 eggs
1 c. canola oil***
2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Stir in carrots, raisins/cranberries, flour, nuts, coconut, and pineapple to the dry mixture, one ingredient at at time.

In a separate bowl, beat or whisk eggs, oil, and vanilla. Pour into flour mixture and stir until batter is JUST mixed. DO NOT overstir.

Spoon into muffin tins lined with papers - fill to the top (won't rise much.)Bake 20 minutes at 350.

*add diced apples for a variation
**Sub dried cranberries for the raisins - I did this and they were soooo good!
***you could always do the applesauce trick for the oil to make it healthier??

Good News!!

Adam and I have EXCITING news to share with everyone!! We are expecting our first baby, due in early November! We had an ultrasound at 6 weeks (I had some minor cramping - just a precaution) and heard a strong heartbeat - and since then, all has been well! My clothes are still fitting, but just a tad bit tighter! We're reading several books and learning all we can about our little baby! Everyone seems to think this little one is a girl...however, boys run in the Hubner family! I think it's a boy. :)We plan to find out the gender of the baby, sometime in June.

I'll post ultrasound pics and baby bump pics when we get them!

Spring?

Well, my tulips are popping up, so I am assuming spring is coming, whether the forecast wants to cooperate or not! :) The grass is becoming greener, and I'm noticing the moss growing on the stumps and logs in the woods behind our house. I'm so ready! Spring break was amazing, and it motivated me more than I thought it possibly could. However, I need greenery. I need sun for more than 1-2 hours per day. I need flowers and warm sidewalks and deck chairs with cushions. I need to work in my yard and split my flowers (I've been waiting forever to do this!!!) and I need to feel connected with the Earth. Soon!!

My poor mom just had her appendix out!! She has recently arrived home and is doing well, and so far there are no complications. So strange! Her brother had the same thing done just a year or two ago - isn't it rare for that to strike twice in the same family?? Either way, a speedy recovery is what we hope will happen! Adam's mom and Elmer are in Hawaii, and Adam's dad and Suzanne are on their way to Hawaii within a week or two. Adam and I are awaiting our first home Tiger game - there's just nothing that says spring/summer like a sunny day at the ballpark. I've grown to love going to games, and I can't wait to be back this year. We're also pulling the hose, convertible, chairs, etc. out of storage and making the house look a bit more spring-like...only 6 or so weeks of school left for me, and then I can be HOME during the day! I can't wait. Kiki and I will garden until our hearts are content!

Enjoy these early spring days....soon we'll be complaining that it's too hot outide, right? :)

Punta Cana Trip!

Here are a few photos of our wonderful, relaxing trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic! We spent a week laying on the beach, relaxing, reading, and enjoying the absolutely gorgeous weather. There was not a speck of rain, very few clouds (welcome relief from the extreme sun)and a warm breeze all day and all night. Our room was luxurious and beautiful, and the grounds of the resort were breathtaking! It's good to be back to Kiki, but I can't say the weather is something to come back to!