A Sparkle to my Monday Morning: Blueberry Gems

Who doesn't love blueberry muffins? This recipe is simple, from Rolling Fork and makes any "blue" Monday better.

 

My home church, Rolling Fork United Methodist Church, put together a cookbook several years ago and we sold every one of them. It has a lot of basic southern recipes from comeback sauce to Mexican cornbread to fried venison. An added bonus is that it had all my mom's and grandma's recipes.

 

With fresh blueberries in my fridge, I just new there had to be a muffin recipe inside that cookbook. What I found was Mrs. Helen Mayo's Blueberry Gems. Mrs. Mayo is an excellent baker.

 

Blueberry Gems

2 cups self-rising flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup milk

1 cup blueberries (I used fresh but I'm sure frozen would work as well.)

 

Combine flour and sugar. Combine eggs, vanilla, oil and milk. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in vanilla, oil, and milk. Stir until just mixed. Fold in blueberries. Stir for 1 minute. Spoon into greased muffin tins, fill half full. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 mins. Makes 24 muffins.

 

 

The Beauty of the Birch Box

This is the a long overdue beauty blog on my discovery of Birch Box. I love beauty products and Birch Box is the perfect solution to trying out new stuff and not spending a lot of cash. So, for $10 a month, I get a neatly wrapped box of samples that are gear toward my beauty profile. Each month I've discovered at least one product that I've fallen in love with.

Numbero Uno: When you reach the big 3-5 you realize that you need lots of skin therapy. Enter the  StriVectin-SD™ Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles. Use in the morning and at night to keep the pesky wrinkles at bay. I am a true believer in this product. I just ordered the full-size product and it's a little pricey at $65 but will last six months and isn't your skin important. A patented molecule called NIA-114+ promotes the production of collagen and elastin, thus reducing the appearance of crow’s feet and the dreaded dark circles. I've got really bad dark circles and this stuff works!

My fave from the second month was Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive. This stuff is AMAZING! If you've got sensitive skin and have always wanted to to try a skin peel, then this is for you! It's organic, smells like green apples and you put it on for 10 minutes twice a week. Your face will feel so clean and our pores open. There is also a regular strength for those who don't have sensitive skin. 

Month 3, entered the S.W. Basics Lip Balm in Peppermint and its all natural and goes on smooth. Guess you could eat it if you want to. Also, there was an awesome little match box full of nail files. Both of those went straight into my purse. 

Here are three other products worth mentioning -- Young Blood High Definition Hydrating Mineral Powder, Young Blood Anti-Shine Mattifer and Cargo Water-Resistant Blush. All three are great products for fab additions to your makeup regiment. 

I hope to review the products I get each month and if you want to know more about Birch Box go to www.birchbox.com

Changes in my life

As of Tuesday, July 2, at 4 p.m. my job as editor of The Star-Herald is over. I was told by the chief of operations for Emmerich Newspapers that they were re-structuring the company and my position as managing editor was no longer needed. They have brought in a publisher/editor and they also eliminated a sales position.

For six years, I have come to work everyday at The Star-Herald to serve the community. I've made people mad. I've made people happy. I've had both good and bad experiences there but the job has always been rewarding despite the headaches. I have always done my job to the best of my ability and been rewarded with press association awards. We won a total of 9 this year alone.

It came as a shock to me and my coworkers. All of our eyes were filled with tears as I told them the news. They are like my family and will always be. I've worked with awesome people and made life-long friendships.

How it was done or why it was done is not the reason for this post but to let y'all know -- I am going to be fine. I am going to take a little time in figuring out what the next step with be. Thank God for our side business of selling antiques and home decor.

I've also learned that Kosciusko is the place I call home now as I have had overwhelming support from all that I've talked too. I am truly blessed for each and everyone of them and my family too. My husband is truly my rock.

I talked to my mentor or my first "boss," who I affectionately call "Pops." He told me to always remember that this had nothing to do with my skills or job performance that I am a good newspaper person. Unfortunately, in this business, it is become more and more about the bottom line.

At the end of the day and when I close my eyes, all I know is this -- I don't know what the future holds but I do know who holds my future.

P.S. I've got so much to blog about and catch up on so stay tuned.