Mercer Island morning

I love having hand models. Thanks KK.

  

Some g-free, wheat-free, yeast-free, sugar-free baking occurred this morning. 

On an island, no less. 

I don't care if you're on a diet where you need gluten, wheat, yeast and sugar desperately—you should still make these little guys. 

They have chamomile tea in them. In other words, they reek of fall.

Chamomile & Honey Almond Meal Muffins

from Roost, with minor adjustments

• 2 cups finely ground almond flour (I used meal—is there really a difference?)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 TBS finely chopped dried chamomile flowers (I opened four organic chamomile tea bags)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup melted Earth Balance
• 1/4 cup honey

Mix until well everything is well incorporated. Pour into lined muffin tins. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350F (or until golden brown). The tops tend to get toasty quickly.

Makes 6 muffins...so probably just decide from the get-go that you're going to double them.

I visited Korinne on her Isle this morning. Most people just refer to it as Mercer Island, but why not add some exotic to your daily life...

Not working til 1pm means a brisk Autumn walk and a short trip to Stopsky's Jewish bakery for a 'cano and chai. Yum.

This is Korinne's "we have minimum five more months of this weather" face. 

Wet leaves are only pretty for so long, it's true. Same with scarves, puffy vests, hoodies, wool socks and Uggs. All of which we found necessary to wear on our morning outing today.

This morning I also stumbled across this prayer by Thomas Merton.

(Sounds weird to say "prayer by _____" ...no?)

Anyway, it's good. And just hit the spot.

My Lord God

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think I am following

your will does not mean

that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that my desire to please you

does in fact please you.

And I hope that I have that desire

in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything

apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this

you will lead me by the right road

though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always

though I may seem to be lost

and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear,

for you are ever with me,

and you will never leave me

to face my perils alone.

- Thomas Merton (1915-1968)