Blueberry Lemon Muffins

Summer. I love it. Not because school is out (but it's awesome to have built in vacation time), but because the days are long and the temps are high. While I don't love sweating, I do love not shivering and having to wear three layers everywhere. 

I also love the food of summer! Blueberries are in season and are probably my favorite fruit. Adding the lemon to these muffins makes them taste bright and summery. 

Every summer I have the same dilemma when I think of what to do with my time away from teaching. It's not something I feel I've mastered yet. I've been reading Andy Stanley's book "Ask It" with a friend from church and this last chapter challenged me with how I use my time. It came at the right time as I don't have anymore big trips planned for the summer, so I need to make the most of my day to day activities. 

Ephesians 5:15-16 "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk - not as unwise people but as wise - making the most of the time, because the days are evil."

When I look at what matters the most in my life, the top three things are my spiritual walk, relationships, and my career. I want to invest in those areas and not waste my time on things that don't accumulate value over time. So, as I was thinking about these priorities, I realized that blogging, while a fun hobby, is not really benefitting those areas. Meaning, I'll only be posting when I feel the time allows and I have worthwhile food pictures to post:) What I should do with my love of food is invite you all over to eat the food and spend time with you face to face! So, who wants free food and conversation?!

I just counted and I've pinned over 20 recipes involving blueberries...too much? Nah. They're so tasty and pretty.

Blueberry Lemon Muffins

Makes 11-12 muffins. Bake time: 18-20 minutes.

• ½ cup whole wheat or white whole wheat flour
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups rolled oats
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• zest of one lemon
• juice from half a lemon
• 1 Tbs baking powder
• 3/4 cup milk (I used unsweetened almond)
• 1 large egg
• 2 Tbs light tasting oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup of blueberries, fresh is best

1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray or grease with butter.
3. Combine all dry ingredients into a large bowl.
4. In a separate bowl whisk together the lemon juice, milk, egg, oil and vanilla.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir until all of the ingredients are combined. If the batter seems too thick, add a couple tsp of milk. Then carefully fold in the blueberries.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups.
7. Bake for approximately 18-20 minutes until muffins have a golden edge and a toothpick comes out clean.

Blueberry Peach Galette

This past week flew by! It was definitely the quickest week so far this summer because I had Band Camp! No, I wasn't a student, I was the coordinator and one of the directors. 

I host a super fun summer band camp for my students and students from surrounding schools. We play movie music or other popular pieces that the kids get excited about learning. I love seeing them accomplish so much in just 5 days of rehearsal. My 5th graders stare at the music with confusion and fear the first day and by the time of the concert it has become familiar and playable.We have high school students come to help out and guide the younger students. They love coming to play along and help!
So, one evening after band camp, I made this beauty and typed up part of this post and then didn't find the time to finish it until today!

I love the recipe for the crust. It's super easy and quick, creates the perfect flaky texture, and I can fill it with sweet or savory treasures!

I'm still reading John but I don't have any significant applications to share. I know God's Word doesn't return void, I just think some days I see myself learning through life experiences more directly. That's why we read, to see God's word work through our daily lives to help us grow.

 God created us for relationship and interacting with others and I was able to spend some time with one of my students this weekend. We got to have some really good conversations and I learned more about her. She asked good questions about life and I got to see how she is growing spiritually and socially. I love those interactions. Ones where you know you are setting an example and where I'm encouraged to learn that a student loves God and wants to follow Him!

This galette is a wonderful summer dessert! It's refreshing and light; you can fill it with any fruit you like. If I had had ice cream at the time, I would have eaten them together. My galette wasn't super sweet because I only sprinkled sugar on but if you follow the recipe, it should be sweeter. You can also add a couple tablespoons of sugar to the crust if you want. 

Blueberry Peach Galette

Serves 4

Filling:

1-2 peaches sliced

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

1/4 cup sugar or honey
1 Tbs butter

Dough:

1 1/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 stick cold unsalted butter

1/4 cup ice cold water

1. Combine flour and salt in a medium mixing bowl. 

2. Cut the stick of cold butter into the flour with a knife or pastry cutter until the butter is in small pieces.

3. Pour in water and mix until dough forms a ball. Add a tiny bit more water as needed.

4. Chill dough while you prep the fruit and preheat the oven to 375° F.

5. When the fruit is cut, you have two options; stir in the sugar or drizzle with honey. Both will add a good sweetness but give different flavors.

6. Roll dough out into a circle about 1/4"-1/8" thick on parchment paper, use a sprinkle of flour to limit sticky-ness.

7. Arrange fruit as you like on the dough leaving at least an inch of uncovered dough at the edges to then fold over as the first picture shows. Cut the tablespoon of butter into small pieces and place/sprinkle them on the fruit.

8. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes. Keep an eye on it, looking for a light brown on the bottom edge.

9. Take out and let cool for several minutes. Slice with a pizza cutter and enjoy on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!