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Friday, May 18, 2012

I just made these  yesterday, and they are ALL GONE by TODAY.. seriously, these banana muffins just seemed to hit the sweet spot here at my house.. Hope you enjoy if you decide to make them!

Jumbo Caramel Banana Muffins ( Taste of Home Feb/Mar 2006)

1/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 large)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

FROSTING

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted

PREHEAT oven to 350F
LINE 6 jumbo muffin cups with liners ( I used regular tins , Spray WELL )
In small bowl, cream shortening and sugar on HIGH speed for 2- 3 minutes
ADD egg and beat thoroughly
ADD mashed banana and vanilla blending just until combined

IN SMALL BOWL, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt
add dry ingredients to wet mixing only until combined
DIVIDE BATTER evenly between muffin cups
BAKE for 23-28 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. I needed the full 28 minutes
LET COOL in pan 5 minutes then transfer muffins to cooling rack

  Easy Caramel Frosting:

IN SMALL SAUCEPAN, melt butter over MED heat
WHISK in sugar and milk
CONTINUE whisking until mixture starts to take on a light brown color and comes to a rolling boil
REMOVE from heat and rapidly whisk in powdered sugar. Keep whisking until all lumps are removed
LET cool slightly
DIP MUFFIN tops into glaze or drizzle over muffins (use a spoon or a ziploc bag with the corner cut off)
enjoy! I am.. :)

Discounted fabric, worth it's weight in Gold..

Ok, so it's been a LONG time since I have come, and posted here. Life, well gets in the way.. some days, are nights, and some nights, turn into days. And some ways, I don't know which is which.. I wanted to share my friend, Diane M Jordan's quilting/ fabric website with those of you who sew, or who know quilting friends who might be interested in checking it out. Diane has some awesome fabric, and sales every week, found at www.djsdiscountfabrics.com, and as she was part of a group of quilting friends all over the country, I was blessed to be able to find out the awesome part of Diane's heart as a quilter as they all graciously sent a box , or two! of fabrics, batting and such to help in the baby donation charity work I do here in my small town.
Diane was part of this group of gals, who have so inspired me to keep learning about what it means to be a quilter , and I am so glad I can find a way to steer others who sew, towards Diane's website above.. The reason I am wanting to bless Diane with this note, is because of a testimonial of sorts at the quality of the fabric she sells. Its name brands, that anyone in the " know , and sew" of quilting would totally recognize. The quality of the fabric, whether its the yardage Diane sells, or the scrap bundles ( which I LOVE LOVE LOVE ) , is high end , and I have made many a scrap quilt already with the orders I have purchased the last few months. I just love sewing with quality materials such as what Diane sells on her website..

Truth is, I was so impressed by the quality, and speed of mailing Diane does all on her own, I made an additional order even though it was not in my budget that month. But I just " had to have it " , as we all know about quilters , and their fabric stashes.. Never mind , that mine is pretty much on empty right now though.. But I ended up buying, and blessing babies from Diane's fabric scrap bundles and that just tickled my fancy.. besides, they were cheaper than some I looked at on other websites, or Ebay .

 But I sensed a little discouragement from Diane today in our emails.. She is such an inspiration to me, and I want to just see what I can do to maybe move people her direction , ya know? Shes got the great weekly Wed. deals that I am always looking forward too, but more than that, she's got a heart to sell at affordable, and discounted prices for those of us who need to feed our addiction.

But shes also got a heart to bless those of us who can't go out and pay quilt store costs for the things that it takes to create beautiful quilts as we do. I know I can't, and this is why I keep Diane's website on my favorites page so I know where to go when I can purchase things I like, or need again.
One thing I do know is this.. from what I have bought from Diane's online store, there are babies here in my community that have quilts that were made by me, using much of Diane's scrap bundles which I have purchased, as well as patterns I have purchased from her website. I love to know that somewhere in some crib, or bassinet, or stroller are quilts that I have been able to make, and donate to the pregnancy center here, and knowing that fabric all the way from Mississippi, are part of those special heart felt treasures I have been blessed to create for babies, adopted or by birth. Please check out Diane's website, www.djsdiscountfabrics.com if you find yourself wanting to add to your stash, or to feed your addiction like I have done ..:)