Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Lemons and blueberries are a match made in heaven.  Add them to a semi sweet muffin batter and they're out of this world delish.  No jokes, these will be the BEST muffins you've EVER had!!!!

Adapted from Smitten Kitchen (in my opinion the best cooking blog out there)

Yield: 14 large or 56 miniature muffins


1 1/8 cups sugar, divided
4 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel (from two large lemons)
1T lemon juice
2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 container fresh blueberries

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 14 standard muffin cups (or 56 minis) with paper liners. Mash 1/8 cup sugar and lemon peel in small bowl until sugar is slightly moist. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat remaining 1 cup sugar and butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in egg. Beat in buttermilk, then vanilla and lemon sugar. Beat in flour mixture.  Carefully fold in blueberries, as to not break them up.

Divide batter among muffin cups, about 2/3 full.  Bake muffins until lightly browned on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes (baking time was on the shy side of 20 minutes for mini muffins).

Devour.                In about 2 seconds.               Seriously.                They're that good.

Baby Gifts

Some of my most favorite things to sew are baby gifts - especially those of the girly variety.  Our fab friends just welcomed a sweet baby girl to their family, and Mama got her sew on.

My new obsession is freezer paper stenciling.  There is a great tutorial on MADE that I used to get started.

Next up is my go-to baby gift - the tag blankie.  All you need is one yard of furry fleece (I get mine at JoAnn's) and several ribbon choices cut in 4" lengths.  I get most of my ribbon at Michaels, and have had some luck with the ribbon grab bags at Hancocks.

The baby item I get the most requests for are the flannel burp cloths.  They are super cute and super absorbent.  I made a smaller version of the burp cloths to use as diaper wipes for PBJ.  Yes, I had to wash them, but when you cloth diaper, you're washing non-stop!  The best part about these is that they hold up through multiple kids.  I have friends that have used these with 3 kids and they're still their fav's.

Last up in the gift basket was this adorable 5 minute headband.  I scored several of the plain headbands at a trip to Hobby Lobby.  Though we don't have a Hobby Lobby remotely close to us, I stop whenever I see one to stock up on some of their great finds!

To make the headband, I deconstructed a silk gebera daisy - removing the plastic back and center.  Pin the petals to the headband and sew a small X using your machine - ensuring not to sew over the hole* in the center of the flower.  Attach a button or scrap booking brad* to the center of the flower and VOILA! 

*If you're using a scrap booking brad as the center of the flower (as I did) you need to make sure not to stitch over the hole in the petals.  When attaching the brad, splay out the brad arms in between layers of the petals so it doesn't scratch the infant's head.

All of these baby items are quick and easy options for a memorable, handmade gift!