Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins by request

I never did make the muffins the other day, but Betsy has requested the recipe so here it is:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour

1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

4 large eggs, slightly beaten

2 cups sugar

1 can (15 oz) Pure Pumpkin

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups (12 oz pkg) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease muffin cups or line with paper bake cups.

Combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Combine eggs and sugar in large bowl. Add pumpkin and oil; mix well. Stir in flour mixture until moistened. Stir in morsels. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

Bake 20-25 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool pans on wire racks for 5 minutes; remove from pans.

Heather...about those cookies...they were already gone! They were too yummy to keep around. I will make some for my stamp thing whenever I hold it.

100 Random questions...more than you will ever want to know.

Shannon posted this on her Myspace Bulletin...I thought it was pretty neat so I am doing it here!

1. EVER BEEN GIVEN A RING? Yes..a few
2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP? 18 years so far
3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? Hmm, I don't remember...how sad is that?!
4. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU DROPPED YOUR CELL? I don't think I ever have
5. WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT? HAHAHA...I've been telling myself that I will start again soon.
6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON? Books and craft things (although I haven't bought anything craft related in a LONG time.
7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE? Mike & Ike candy!
8. FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX? Teeth
9. ONE FAVORITE SONG: That's a toughy...right now it would be Because of You by Kelly Clarkson
10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Utah
11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED Kentwood
12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER? T-Mobile (would love Verizon back!)
13. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Blue or Pink (lately been pink)
14. LONGEST JOB HELD: Hmm, I've been doing dental assisting for about 10 years
15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE? I'm sure we do somewhere
16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE? No
17. LAST WEDDING ATTENDED? I don't remember...probably one of Michael's cousins
18. FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? My brother, but I'm sure he would ask for a cut of it.
19. LAST TIME YOU ATTENDED CHURCH: It's been awhile...we haven't found one we really like here.
20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT: Subway
21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE HEARD: Don't know
22. FAVORTIE FOOD: Pizza
23. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS? Iggy's (Shannon's never invited me to Loco Lizard for 1/2 price margaritas!!...shame on her!)
24. CAN YOU COOK? LOL...a little
25. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE? 2002 Toyota Camry
26. BEST KISSER? Me
27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Hmmm, possibly last week while watching a movie
28. MOST DISLIKED FOOD:Mushrooms
29. FAVORTIE TYPE OF MUSIC: I pretty much like anything
30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:The 30 lbs that I haven't lost from having Cameron!
31. THING YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF: I'm a good listener
32. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB? 9 hours
33. FAVORITE MOVIE? ????
34. CAN YOU SING? Sometimes I think I can
35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED? Janet Jackson...many moons ago!
36. LAST KISS? Just awhile ago from Cameron
37. LAST MOVIE RENTED: Zorro and Skeleton Key
38. THING YOU NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT? Lipstick
39. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT? Anywhere warm
40. DO YOU LIKE CHINESE FOOD? EEEEWWWW
41. HOW BIG IS YOUR BED? Queen
42. IS YOUR ROOM CLEAN? Yes, it was when I left it awhile ago...Cameron may have toys in it now
43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER? desktop, I don't like laptops
44. FAVORITE COMEDIAN? Don't have one
45. DO YOU SMOKE? NO
46. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES ON? With
47. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT? I sleep alone right now since Michael's accident...it's just more comfy.
48. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK? No
49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE?One time and he told me to tell my dad (also a cop) hello
50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST?Pancakes
51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE? No way...no how!
52. HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS? Scrambled...occasionally fried
53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?No
54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE: Schools answering machine
55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST? Cameron's school...they were wondering if he was there today...um, yes he was.
56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECIEVED? I don't get text messages.
57. MCDONALDS OR BURGER KING? Subway
58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS? 4
59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW? Jeans and a turquoise polo.
60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC OR SONG? Up on the rooftops reindeer pause
61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J SANDWICH? Strawberry
62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL? Yes
63. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SWIM? If I have to
64. FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Peppermint
65. DO YOU LIKE MAPS? I like to look at them...you don't want me reading them
66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF? I like to read.
67. ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE SO FAR? Yes...although I wish I finished college and was a dentist.
68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY? Yeah
69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? Summer
70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID? Just awhile ago with Cameron
71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING?6:45, I had to get ready to take Cameron to school and Michael to PT
72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER:Watching the snow fall and curling up under a warm blanket reading a book...a fireplace would be nice if I had one here.
73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?I've never had one for speeding, but I got one when I totalled my car a few years ago..I guess it was my fault
74. CATS OR DOGS?Cats
75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET? The first one I remember is Brandi
76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?Are they real?!
77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND? Zip, Nada, Zilch
78. HAS SOMEONE YOU LOVE EVER DIED?yes
79. WHAT IS THE THIRD LETTER OF YOUR NAME?A
80. HOW OLD ARE YOUR PETS?Patches is 11 and Cassie is about 4.
81. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?Seattle
82. ARE YOU SICK?Yes, I have been for about a week now
83. DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?No
84. IS THE BATHROOM OPEN? Not when I am in it!
85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?No
86. ARE YOU WATCHING MTV?No.
87. ARE YOU SMILING?Not while I am typing!
88. DO YOU HAVE ON EYELINER? Yes
89. DO YOU LIKE TO DANCE?Sure.
90. ARE YOU BLONDE?No
91. EVER BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT?Yes, two...one was my fault I was told..wait, they both were
92. DO YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND?No, but I do have a husband so I don't think he would like it too much for me to have a boyfriend.
93. Who is your crush?I don't have one.
94. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME?I have to pick ONE?! Can't do it
95. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHING SUIT/TRUNKS?Black and red
96. DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST? Cameron's starts in July
97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?No
98. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?Yes, it was fun, but I don't know if I would want to do it again!
99. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER?No
100. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?Yes I am.

Wow, that took FOREVER!! I think I need it to be Wednesday to have a margarita...I don't even know where the Loco Lizard is at. No wait, I have been to the one in Park City..I think.

Today was a LONG day. Michael had PT today and he said it actually didn't hurt that bad. That's a plus! After PT I took him to two stores that his company is changing over so he could see some guys that are in town helping out with it. I will be taking him to some other ones next week when a new crew is out here. Cameron went home with one of his friends today since I woudn't be back in time to pick him up from school. Next week he gets to go with me since he will be off-track. That is SO not going to be fun for him...there is a 3 hour appt next week since he has pool therapy, physical therapy and then his follow up doctors visit with x-rays and such. The mall doesn't even open until 10 and Michael scheduled his appt at 8 am! What was he thinking!

Reading, Baking & Door-to-Door yardsales?

My mom and I went to Barnes & Noble the other day and bought Cameron some new books that he can read all by himself! He loves to read books! I am so thrilled and hope it continues because I LOVE TO READ and want him to as well. He took one of his new books to school and his teacher let him read it to the class. He was very proud and told us all about it when he got home. All the kids clapped for him...I can just imagine how shy looking he must have been when they did that. Later that night he decided to read another new book to Michael so I snapped a picture when he was reading. Too cute!


Today I decided to bake some fabulous Banana Chocolate Chip cookies! I figure that since they have fruit in them they must also be nutritious so it's okay to eat more than 1! Here is a picture of them...don't they look YUMMY?!?!? The house smells delicious. I'm thinking tomorrow morning I am going to bake some Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins and take some to my neighbor for breakfast.

Now onto the Door-to-Door yardsale...I was sitting in the front room munching on said cookies above when my doorbell rings. I swallow my bite and answer the door. There are two boys about 8 or 9 and they tell me that they are having a yard sale. One of them said, "My friend says there is a boy that lives here and we were wondering if you wanted to buy him a spiderman or something." Um, I have never heard of a traveling yard sale before...heck, I am thinking I should get a wagon and take some of my spare things door-to-door and see how I weather! Ok, back to the boys...I had to tell them that I was sorry, but Cameron has WAAAAY too many toys as it is, but Thanks Anyway. I hate turning kids down, but I do know that this said Spiderman thing would have quickly found its way to the trash.

I suppose I should share the YUMMY Banana Chocolate Chip cookie recipe so you can taste them for yourselves. Here it is:

2-1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup mashed bananas, ripened
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400°. Grease cookie sheets. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda together and set aside. Cream butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the mashed bananas. Add the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

While typing this post Cameron came running in here and said, "Mom, Daniel and his friends are selling Yu-Gi-Oh cards. Can I buy some?" I told him to find out how much they were and how many he could get. He came back in and told me that they were 10¢ each. He went to his room and grabbed a dollar. I told him he could buy 10 of them for that amount. Well, he came back home with 6. Four of them were 20¢ each and he was greatly confused because I told him he could get 10 for his $1. He told me he was going to go back and ask for 4 more because he was missing them...I FINALLY got through to him that he got what he paid for. Oh what fun counting money is going to be later!

A little update

Well, I haven't updated about Michael in a while. He is improving every day. He is actually getting around on crutches these days. It's nice to see him up and about. He still can't put much weight on his leg, but it is getting easier. He still has a lot of pain, but doesn't want to take anything for it. He had his first outpatient physical therapy last week and has two more appointments set up for next week. They are going to start pool therapy too.

My mom has been here helping out since last Saturday. It's been nice having her here. She's cleaned the house and even wanted to shovel the driveway when it snowed. There isn't too much for her to do here and our TV is broken right now so she can't even just sit in the living room and veg out.

I just finished some cards for a Birthday card swap. I need to get working on a date to have my Stampin' Up! Birthday card stamp-a-stack. I have a few people who keep asking about it. Keep an eye out...I may come up with a date soon.

I have been reading again this year. So far I haven't read too many, but here is what I have read:
January
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Red Lily by Nora Roberts

February
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Child of Darkness by VC Andrews
Marley & Me by John Grogan
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich

I will keep you updated more and possibly add more pictures soon!

Cleaning Day!

Boy does my house need some serious work! I've took some time to clean this morning while Cameron was at school. So far only the kitchen, front room, my bedroom and craft room are clean (this one still needs a little work)! I can FINALLY see the top of my scrap table! You don't know how excited this makes me. Perhaps now I can get something done! I've been feeling so BLAH lately over my house being a mess so I decided to finally tackle it. The bathrooms are calling me, but I just don't want to answer them quite yet.

Cameron was messing around with my camera just a little while ago so I decided to take some pictures of him when he was done playing. I will share what he wanted to take pictures of too.

Here are Cameron's ideas for the day!

So I have finally added something new to my blog. I hope you all enjoy the pictures! Cameron was sure having fun. He loves to take the camera and pretend he is a spy. Some of the pictures he takes he thinks are very funny...however, they aren't. I would share one with you, but I will spare you...it's a picture of the cats' rearend! Funny to a six year old...not his mom.