The Liebster Award

I just received the Liebster Award from We Bless Your Heart.

This is a complete surprise.

From what I gather the rules for the Liebster Award have changed, depending on who gets it and gives it.
But, each involves time it involves sharing random facts, asking random questions, and sharing the Liebster Love.

So, here are my random answers to random questions.

 1.  Who or what is Liebster? In German, it is a sweetheart or beloved person.

2.  How long have you been blogging? This May my yummy stuff will be 4. Welcome to Me is about a year younger. I have articles on the web that I have written before that.

3.  Do you have animals? A turtle named Rainbow, cats named Lacey, Minnie, Sparkle, Rusty, and Stanley.

4.  Are you still in contact with any of your high school friends? Only on facebook and they are not close friends.

5.  What is your favorite tree? The weeping willow. I had one, but the drought last year did her in. I am still sad about that.

6.  Do you have an artistic side you have expressed? I used to make my daughter's Halloween costumes. One year, I made a wicked looking alien head.

7.  Do you enjoy getting together with your family? Yes and no. It is complicated.

8.  Do you blog on WordPress.com or WordPress.org? No. Only on blogger.

9.  What is your favorite color? Fuchsia

10.  Do you take or do or believe in  natural, alternative health? Yes, I do. Very much.

11.  What do you wish I had asked you? What my favorite thing is. It's hugs.

Now, for my 11 random facts:

1. I hate watching reality shows.
2. I have an outhouse hooked onto my garage.
3. I hate to drive.
4. I carry my camera with me at all times because you never know. Many times I didn't have it and later wished I did.
5. I collect glass decanters.
6. I have been married for 15 years.
7. I grow a huge garden every year.
8. I spend more time proof reading my posts than I do writing them.
9. I am currently a homemaker.
10. If I could, I would eat quinoa every day.
11. I know how to can.

Now, I am supposed to ask questions.

1. Coffee or tea?
2. Have you ever made money from your writing or is it strickly for fun?
3. What is your favorite snack?
4. Do you collect anything?
5. Have you ever gone fishing?
6. How often do you blog?  
7. Do you comment on blogs you read?
8. Do you believe a joke is just a joke or that some things should never be joked about?
9. Do you think this is a long post and a lot of questions?
10. Sweet or salty? Or neither?
11. Do you DIY?

Because I am generous, I would like to give this award out to all who reads this and wants to answer and ask questions.
Go ahead. Take it.

A-Z

I just decided to go ahead and do it again this year.

Cheesy Bacon Breakfast Muffins

These are a really great way to start the day. Not only do they taste great, they are packed with protein and fiber. The cheese also gives you calcium.

This makes 12 muffins.
You will need a 12 regular size muffin cup pan. Grease the cups.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit/205 Celsius.

Ingredients:

2 cups oat flour
1/4 cup flax meal
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt-optional
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3 strips bacon
extra oil, as needed

In a skillet, fry the bacon until as done as you like. Remove and drain on paper towels.
When cool, crumble.
Pour the bacon grease into a measuring cup. You want 1/4 cup so it you don't have that, add a little oil or extra bacon grease to get the right amount.
Set aside.
In a mixing bowl: mix the flour, flax meal, baking powder, and salt.
Pour in the bacon grease and stir to distribute it evenly. It will clump some, but as long as it has been mixed throughout the flour that's fine.
Stir in the cheeses and the bacon.
Beat the milk and egg together in another bowl and stir into the flour mixture. 
Divide the batter evenly between all the muffin cups.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden and the tops spring back when lightly touched.
Loosen in pan, but let them sit for a few minutes.
Turn out and serve.

Great warm or room temperature.

Due to the lack of gluten in these muffins, they do not rise quite as high as regular muffins made with wheat flour.

To make your own oat flour: grind oats in a food processor or spice grinder. I use my spice grinder. I can't do as much at a time, but I can get a finer grind than I can in the food processor.
You can also buy oat flour in the grocery store or online.

Brands Can Matter

Sometimes foods don't turn out.
We can't always pinpoint the reason.

It could be the oven temp.
It could be the pan.

Or it could be the ingredients.

All brands are not the same.
Two brands can seem to have the same ingredients and the right amount, but they can change how things turn out.

Butter is a good example.

One brand may melt easier than another brand.
They may taste similar, but when baking, foods don't turn out the same way.

If one melts faster and you are making cookies,
the butter will leak out more before the cookies set up.

They may spread a little or a lot.

You may end up having to use more flour to account for the difference.

I have used a lot of different brands over the years.
It is always nice to take advantage of a sale or coupon.

But, my advice is that the first time you make a recipe, use the brand that works best for you.
That way, you know how the recipe should turn out.