So Happy It’s Parents Day

On the National front, the 28th day of July has much to celebrate. It’s Buffalo Soldier Day and Milk Chocolate Day. It’s also the 4th Sunday of this month. And that makes it all the more special as we celebrate Parents Day.

We have a day for mothers and a day for fathers and evey a day for grandparents. It’s nice to know there is such a thing as Parents Day. After all, raising children takes parents working together. It’s a shame that so many homes are broken, or that they were never built in the first place. I’m not saying a disfunctional home is better. But a home with two loving parents is. Of that there can be no argument.

My parents were far from perfect. They even split up a time or two. Marriage isn’t easy. However; there was no physical abuse or substance abuse, just differences of opinion that at times could be loud. They managed to work through things. And we were better because of it. We believed in the happy endings. It took a while to find them, but we did thanks in part to the examples we saw at home. Parents are important. A loving, stable home life is important. And like it or not, having faith in a higher power is a key ingredient.

Happy Parents Day to all the moms and dads out there!

I love family time. Holding hands with Hubby across the breakfast table. Listening to Kiddo make suggesting for making our morning muffins evey better – like topping the warm muffins with Lemon Curd (which was a brilliant idea!) And Hubby asking me if I thought it was Christmas since the paper liners are a Christmas Theme. Hey, use what you’ve got on hand, right? Anything else is just silly. Besides, pretending that it’s Christmas might make us forget the fact that it’s 110 outside. Enjoy!

Mini Applesauce Spice Muffins
1/2 cup Butter, softened
2/3 cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1-1/2 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Allspice
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 cup Applesauce

Heat oven to 350-degrees. Line a 24 cup mini muffin pan and a 12 cup mini muffin pan with paper liners, set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a batter paddle, cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth. Blend in cinnamon, allspice, baking powder and baking soda.

Alternating add in half a cup applesauce, one cup flour, remaining applesauce and remaining flour. Stir until just blended.

With a small cupcake scoop, fill muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake in the heated oven for about 12 minutes. Serve warm with additional butter, clotted cream or lemon curd if desired.

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The eyes of all look hopefully to You,
and You give them their food in due season;
You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.