Date-Walnut Muffins

When you start out the day with a vista like this, cold, gray, and a layer of fresh snow on frozen ground, but not enough to be a glistening white blanket of winter wonderland... that's when you need something special.

The hayfield across the road.

I was standing in the kitchen contemplating what to do for breakfast when the First Reader wandered in, clutching his coffee cup, leaned over, and whispered in my ear: "Muffins."

Muffins it is. Only since I knew we would spend the bulk of our morning dealing with pitching wood into a neat stack in the basement, as I'd ordered a cord to be delivered that day, I wanted muffins with substance.

Stack of wood. Satisfying to see it all neatly there, easy to keep the family warm on cold winter days and nights.

So I puttered through the pantry getting ingredients together, chatting with family as they woke up - it's so lovely to have a big kitchen with the island we can all hang out around without tripping over them while I cook.

Muffins fresh and piping hot.

I used a base recipe from Alton Brown's I'm Just Here for More Food which is, yes, my most-used cookbook. Second place goes to my Meta-Givens Encyclopedia. I did alter it a little, because I always do. You'll find my full recipe, printable, at the bottom.

Date-Walnut Muffins, deliciously warm and served with butter and honey. Accompany with a large mug of coffee, tea, or cocoa.

This recipe is not very sweet at all. We wound up discovering that a little drizzle of honey is delectable on them. You could add more sugar to the base... but I wouldn't.

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SNOW!