Happy Birthday Jimmy!

In lieu of not being able to spa over the weekend, David and I locked down a last minute babysitter to celebrate Jim's birthday. The Biltmore isn't a shabby second to Ojai.

Cheers Jimmy!

Doesn't my ear look funny?

And a date night with this guy makes everything better : )

Packing Light - To Be Continued

Remember that little upcoming packing light getaway I posted? I am going to have to get back to you on this relaxing and fun trip. 

Marcy had to cancel due to her twin boys getting the nasty flu that's been going around. Poor things were up all night with sickness. It just would not have been relaxing for her to leave Todd with 2 of the 3 kids being sick.

But the worst was my other friend, Melike. Her mother passed away early Saturday morning and she was hopping on a plane to Turkey that afternoon.

There was just no way Pernille and I would enjoy the trip without all the original members. We thought about going for the day to partake in our spa treatments and lounge around the pool. But we decided to just cancel too. The spa was so generous to let us reschedule everything at the last minute without penalty charges or higher room rates. 

In sickness and in health, friends stick together. It's that other silent marriage all girlfriends need. And although I was a bit bummed it was hard to be too down and out with a January day like this:

Not too shabby, huh?

Rescheduling this getaway just adds to the excitement of the future trips I have in store over the next couple of months. Stay tuned!

Packing Light

Mid 70's and not a cloud in the sky. What's a girl to do? Pack up and head to the spa where the weather is equally as nice! So looking forward to a getaway with my girlfriends.

I think should about cover it ; )

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Well, actually it's Chunky Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb Topping

I love muffins with a crumb topping. It's a weakness of mine. Well, one of that I'm willing to divulge. : ) My girls love the crumb topped muffins too. But I do try to limit their sugar intake, every now and then. 

I came across this recipe via How to Simplify. It's the perfect muffin. Not an overwhelmingly sweet topping, but just enough to savor with every bite. And I just love the bits of apple throughout the muffin.

For the muffins:

1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and chopped (reserve 3 tablespoons for the crumb topping) ~ I used a Fuji Apple and it was fine

1 cup sugar

2 cups flour ~ Next time I'm going to substitute some ground oatmeal

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt ~ Not sure what the 2 pinches is about, I skipped it.

1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk ~ Don't have buttermilk? Make your own by adding one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to one cup milk. Stir in and let sit for a few minutes.
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted

For the crumb topping:

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

3 tablespoons reserved diced apple

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line muffin tins.

• Whisk together the sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add chopped apples.
• Whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and butter in a small bowl. Gently add egg mixture into flour mixture. Do not over mix.
• Fill each muffin cup about 3/4 full. Top each muffin cup with the crumb topping (To make crumb topping: Combine all ingredients except apples in a bowl and mix with a fork to create crumbs. Toss in the apples and coat lightly with the flour mixture).
• Bake in the oven for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Remove from the oven and allow the muffins to cool slightly, about five minutes, before removing them from the pan. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Tennis Anyone?

Sophia and her 2 best friends, Jack & Luke, started their weekly tennis clinic at the club. How stinkin' cute these kids looked out there on the courts! The clinic is an hour long and the kids loved it. I didn't stay to watch because I know Sophia likes it when she is "dropped-off." Yes, at 4 years old, the whole, "Mommy can you drop me off and leave and pick me up later", has already started. sigh But I did manage to get a few shots without totally annoying her : )

How serious looking!

The 3 amigos : )

Looks like an ace to me! ; )

And if tennis doesn't work out . . .

She'll make a cute ball girl!