The last summer bloom

As I spent the morning watering, hoping the hot dog days of summer are behind us and looking for to fall bulbs, I noticed the last of my Dahlia blooms. They are the variety called dinner plate Dahlias but mine are more like saucer size, probably due to the lack of food and water I've given them this summer. I love gardening and the results, but I'm just not that great at the watering part. I wait until I look out the window from my air conditioned house and see the sad stems beginning to bend down towards the cooler ground and flower turning in on themselves before I run out in a panic to save them with a drenching of water. I do much better with plants in the ground that are smart enough to find their own water resource and not rely on me. It's survival of the fitness in my yard.
But with the Delta breezes coming it reminds that fall will be here soon enough and a new breed of stronger drought tolerant plants will be planted hoping to survive the next summer.

Blueberry Banana Muffins

Sunday has seemed to turn into my lazy day for spending the day on the couch watching HGTV and Food Network, trying to get inspired to finish fixing up my place and trying to actually cook for myself. I had grand plans of making lemon citrus lamp chops, but that that was a bit too ambitious for my lazy day. So instead I decided to see what I had around the house that I could make into something some what healthy.
I found my recipe for blueberry banana muffins. This is a great thing to do with old mushy bananas. Warning: I was told to peel them and put them in the freezer so they will be good for when I want to use them in bread, muffins or even smoothies. Now when you thaw a mushy old banana its even worse. They are NOT appetizing to look at at all and you almost don't want them to thaw out completely because then there is brown juice with it. Like I said just a warning.
The recipe is quick and easy, but I'm not sure I'm sold on the taste (or tastelessness) of them. And the texture is not light and fluffy like your normal muffins, more moist and dense.
These aren't something I would go back and try to make again. Thinking I should have tried the lamp chops instead....

But here is the recipe if you are willing to give them a try on your own.

1 large egg
2 tbl fat free sour cream
2 tbl lowfat buttermilk
1/2 oat bran (or rolled oats like I used)
1/3 whole wheat flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup mashed banana (or 3 medium sized)
2 tbl brown sugar
1/2 cup blueberries , fresh or frozen

Heat over to 375 degrees. Coat a standard muffin pan with cooking spray. Whisk egg, sour cream and buttermilk in a bowl. Mix oat bran, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in another bowl. Combine banana and suger in a third bowl. Stir in buttermilk mixture to banana mixture. Sprinkle in flour mixture and stir gently. Fold in blueberries.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 full with batter. Bake until toothpick come out clean, approx, 15 - 20 mins.

130 calories
1.8g fat
29g carbs

Table setting with Orchid

Yesterday while out running errands with my mom, I came across a table of orchids for the lowest price I've ever seen of $8.98. So I picked one up as I've had orchids in the past and just think they instantly dress up the place. Get yours at Home Depot before they are gone.

Julie & Julia

Today was a GREAT Saturday! I first woke up and headed out to McDs with the dogs for a morning iced coffee and egg biscuit. I always try to justify my trips to the drive-thru as it's all about the dogs and their enjoyment, but really its just because I'm lazy and don't want to make eggs myself.
After breakfast was consumed by all, I started to pick up around the house, as I knew my mom was coming down and wanted to keep the doghair tumbleweeds to a minimum. But it turned out the dogs was dirtier than the house and gave them a bath (see Doggy Spa Day blog).
My mom got to the house right on time as usual and we headed out to go see the movie Julie & Julia. I had just finished reading the book and I was hoping in this case the movie would be better than the book. I really guess I was expecting the book to be more like the movie, where their lives seem to be intertwined just at different decades. But in the book it was more about Julie trying to cook her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking yet the food seemed to take a backseat to her whining, fits and weird flaky family and friends than anything. (and yes her husband really was a saint to put up with all that)
So the movie was more what I would have liked to read in the book. I also finished reading Julia Child's My life in France, which I loved. You could almost see and smell what she was writing about and gave you great insight to her time in France that changed her life for the better. Plus it was a great love story between her and Paul.
The movie definitely captured the best of both books and made them into a very enjoyable movie. It made me want to really become an accomplished cook and get off the couch from watching Food Network and actually try some of these exotic and French meals.
Afterwords, we headed to my favorite store Target for a quick errand. I think that was the fastest $30 I've ever spent in Target on more than one item too.
The off to another store that loves to take my money, Home Depot. My mom needed new paint and door knobs for the updating she is doing around the house. We even picked out new flooring for her bathrooms. Can't wait until we (yes, my mom loves to say we a lot, as in we can put this in) get to install it along with new toilets. Got to love home improvement when you get excited by a new toilet.
Back at the house we packed up Maggie's goodies as she staying the Nana spa for awhile to give my mom some company and me a break from her midnight potty runs. Charlie and I will kick it at home alone and he quickly forgot there is usually another dog sitting next to him as we took off for a ride to the ice cream drive-thru, but it really was all for Charlie's enjoyment.....