Say Goodbye to Summer

Fall is my favorite time of year.

I love pumpkins and wool,

falling leaves and crisp air.

I feel more energized,

like my year is just starting instead of coming to an end.

It makes me want to do things.

Like bake.

So this morning, in some of the first crisp air of the season,

I made some Say Goodbye to Summer Strawberry Muffins

in remembrance of the season I always feel I take for granted.

Because summer, after all, has a few good points despite the heat.

Like the shore, fireworks, Farmer's Markets, and strawberries.

Like fireflies and thunderstorms.

And I guess a small part of me is sorry to see it go.

A very small part of me.

-:- Say Goodbye to Summer Strawberry Muffins -:-

from Whole Living

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. sliced strawberries

1/3 c. sugar, plus 1 tbsp.

1 1/4 c. all purpose flour

1/2 c. wheat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 c. buttermilk

1/4 c. light olive oil or veggie oil

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix 1/3 c. sugar with strawberries and mash lightly. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl, mix all wet ingredients.

Make a well in the flour mixture and add the wet mixture and the strawberries (with juice) to the flour well. Fold until just combined. Scoop the batter into a muffin tin. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 17 minutes. Cool 5 minutes in pan before removing.

I doubled this recipe easily and used bigger sugar crystals than the granulated sugar for sprinkling on top...they had a bit more crunch to them and were hot pink. What's not to love?

Love, T.