In The Kitchen || Blueberry Muffins (In a Mug)

In the mood for a blueberry muffin but don't necessarily need a whole dozen?  Or maybe your significant other claims they don't like blueberry muffins even though they devoured a plate of blueberry doughnuts like it was nothing, so you end up with more than you can/should eat by yourself?  Enter the blueberry muffin in a mug!

My only experience with "baking" in a mug was unsuccessful so I was hesitant to try it again.  But after seeing this feature recently, I decided to give it another go but with a few tweaks.  Much to my delight, the muffin in a mug was a success!  I don't know the calorie content of these guys but I'm hoping it's not crazy considering I've eaten one nearly every day the past couple weeks!  The heartiness of the whole wheat flour and ground flax seed fill me up and Ricky Ricardo likes that he gets to sample the blueberries.  It's a treat for everyone!

Ingredients

• 1/4 C whole wheat flour
• 1 T brown sugar
• 1/4 t baking powder
• 1/4 t ground flax seed
• pinch of salt
• pinch of cinnamon
• 1/2 T butter
• 2 T + 1 t soy milk
• 1/8 t vanilla extract
• 2+ T blueberries

Instructions 

1. Mix the first six ingredients together in a microwave-safe mug until thoroughly combined.
2. Cut the butter into small chunks and add to dry mixture, working the butter in until no big chunks remain. The mixture should look like moist sand at this point.
3. Add in the milk and vanilla extract and stir until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
4. Sprinkles blueberries throughout muffin mixture, pushing a few down so your blueberries are dispersed throughout.
5. Microwave on high for 80 seconds.  Let cool for a minute--those blueberries will be HOT!
6. Enjoy!

This has been a great recipe to play around with, substituting different flour types, berries, and spices. Since I have a gluten-free flour on hand, I gave that a go just to compare.  If you're in the mood for a light, true bakery style muffin then this is a great route.  I, however, really dig on the whole wheat flour since it has a denser, more hearty thing going for it.  The ground flax seed is a great addition to add some fiber to, ya know, keep ya regular if that's what you're into!  I normally make myself a muffin before I hit the gym or yoga since it's quick, easy, and fills me up without weighing me down.  I'd like to give cranberries and orange zest a try or maybe create a morning glory style muffin.  The worst that can happen is it's a total failure and I waste one whole muffin, not a dozen.

Happy micro-baking!

Wedding Planning || Handlettering

Planning a wedding is no small feat, even one as small as ours.  From the beginning, I knew I wanted to be very hands on, doing as much as I/we could do as possible.  Sure, it could be due to that small control freak quirk I have going on.  But more than that, I've looked forward to the opportunity to learn new printing and hand lettering techniques for our save the dates, invitations, menus, etc.  It's also put a little spark in my etsy shop goals. 

Being behind a desk all day at work, it's nice to get away and flex my creative muscles as I doodle the plans for our wedding details.  We'll be screen printing our invitation package and menu boards so I've been prepping files to bring to our friend's shop this weekend to have our screens flashed.  I've also (half) built a small jig that will allow me to print easily at home or really anywhere.  More on that another day.

That pencil doesn't lie, it really is the very best mechanical pencil.  Ever.  Ricky Ricardo can attest; he's eaten two already.  Go get yourself some and thank me later!

I'll keep you posted with more wedding planning details soon as we're just 3 short months away from the big day!  Yikes. 

Behind the Lens || 2 Hearts, 1 Kitchen

I'm a big believer in supporting small businesses, especially so when they're owned by fabulous friends with a penchant for good food.  So when my friend of 20+ years, Nikki, and her husband Matt hired me to shoot new promotional material for their catering company 2 Hearts, 1 Kitchen, I was all in.

A little back history on Nikki and I...We met back in 1993 when both of our families were having a house built in the same cul-de-sac on the outskirts of Tucson.  Being just a few months apart, we became instant friends and have stayed friends despite multiple moves between us.  My little brother was a big fan of her house when he was a wee tot since her parents spoiled him with cookies so if he went missing, we knew we would find him at their house.  Or sometimes he'd just wander back on his own wearing just his diaper, bottle in one hand and cookies in the other!  Her house was also where we spent a lot of time watching Steel Magnolias, baking in her easy bake oven, and throwing down on her mom's no-bake chocolate cookies--the best!  Who knew that these early years would be a peek into her future.

I made my way back to Arizona to attend the U of A and Nikki ventured onto culinary school in Scottsdale where she met her now husband, Matt.  Together they've traveled the world, working in various restaurants and eventually settled back in Tucson where they created a catering company and cafe (x2) of their own. They're so passionate about food, they even catered their own wedding, including the cake!  Wonder foodies, for sure! Nikki and Matt have created two tasty cake creations for our family so far, one for my niece's baby shower and another for her 3rd birthday.  And of course I've trusted them with creating something wonderful for my wedding cake and shortly after for my little sister's wedding (that may be news to them, we should talk!).

Back to the job.  I spent a morning in their kitchen as they whipped up one delicious dish after another, all perfectly plated and smelling amazing.  The goal was to create clean, appetizing images to be used on their website and promotional materials to promote their ever growing business.  Last month, Tucson Bride and Groom featured their business on their blog which included some of the images I shot--check it out.  Keep scrolling for some great behind the scenes peeks at our setup and our audience!

The Thompsons' beloved pug, Lola, was an excellent assistant!

The setup was simple: white foam core panels, FANTASTIC natural light, and simple cutting surfaces.

Behind the scenes collage courtesy of Nikki. Ricky Ricardo and Lola even made cameos!

Thank you, Nikki and Matt, for thinking of me for the job.  I hope we have more opportunities to work together in the future.  Can't wait to see what amazing work you create for my wedding!

If you need a reliable, experienced, personable caterer for an upcoming event, big or small, or you are in need of some sweet pastry creations, I urge you to contact Nikki and Matt. 

If you're looking for a photographer to help you with your small business, I'm always happy to arrange a consult!

 

 

*All images featured in this post are mine unless noted otherwise. Graphic design work is credited to Nikki and Matt's designer.