blueberry oatmeal struesel cake

This recipe has been adapted from the Blueberry Oat Muffin recipe in The Central Market Cookbook by Phyllis Pellman Good and Louise Stoltzfus, copyright 1989. With several diabetic family members, it quickly became my habit as a young mother to adapt recipes that would be delicious, without substitute sugars.

Combine with a fork and set aside for topping:

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 tbs. brown sugar

2 tbs. wheat germ

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

Combine in large mixing bowl:

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup buttermilk

Mix in by hand:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

1/4 cup canola oil

1 egg, beaten

Gently add:

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Spoon batter into greased baking pan, approximately 7 x 10", a small struesel pan, or a 12-cupcake pan. Sprinkle with topping.

Bake 30-40 minutes at 375, or until a knife comes out clean.

Our small group of mothers and daughters, scattered around the country, meet from time to time when Susie Kurtz is in town.  Calls go out to Lavonne Grubb and Lynne, Barb Deiner and Sue, Esther Kurtz and Susie, Becky Kenderdine and Sue, and Mom and myself.  This particular brunch was here at the gallery, and included Susie and Esther, Barb, Mom and myself, as it was a bit last minute pulling it together.

We shared a repast of blueberry oatmeal coffee cake, banana chocolate chip muffins, fresh fruits salad with yogurt and granola, coffee, tea and juices.  

I took a bit of time today to sort thru my daughter's wedding photos from last fall.   I posted them on Facebook, after taking the time - mostly out of curiousity - to set one up.  Within an hour, I connected with my choral prof and several old friends from Bridgewater, then sheepishly begged my children to "be my friend."  It is kind of fun, putting images up for posterity.

Life has changed so much in recent years - I'm still catching up - still processing.  Sorting thru photos and writing are helpful in slowly putting life into perspective.  I'm not certain I want a blog - but I like the format.  I see it as a way to get things down in words, add photos, and leave a bit of myself behind.  Perhaps it can be a resource to explain to my kids, and to myself in the process, what happened and where i am now.  

Perhaps they will never read it - or I'll never tell them it's here.  But I'll learn in the process of doing, and begin to put the past to rest.  

How am I supposed to do this?  Go from gallery owner, to mom, to tomorrow's church worship leader all in a few breaths.  And somehow be effective?  And remember every detail?  And smile?  I made the mistake of saying "yes" to things this summer because I thought I'd have extra time - whoops!

Jenna, and the mother-of-the-bride..

chocolate chip banana muffins

This recipe has been adapted from my favorite old cookbook of my mother's, The Betty Furness Westinghouse Cookbook, now tattered and falling apart. The original recipe is a Banana Layer Cake.

Combine in a large mixing bowl:

1 cup old fashioned oats

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup canola oil

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

Add and mix by hand until dry ingredients are blended:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup white flour

1/2 cup nonfat dry milk

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup toasted wheat germ

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

Fold in 4-5 ripe, smashed bananas.

Spoon into well greased cupcake pans and bake at 375 for 20 minutes, or until done.

Jenna's wedding day included brunch for the girls in the wedding party, along with her grandmother Hollinger, her aunt April, cousin Donna, and the mother-of-the-bride, Me.

As I recall, it was all rather simple - fruit and yogurt, bagels, and muffins.   The girls already had their hair done, and looked rather delightful around the table in their sweats and up-do's.  As Jenna finished, she commented on wishing she had opted for fresh flowers instead of silk.  At my request, Donna took off for the supermarket to purchase 2 dozen red roses, and I proceeded to fashion her a bouquet.  It was delivered just in time, and I wasn't too late!