Manic Monday, Muffin Monday, and a contest

fleur-de-lisa hosts Manic Monday here.

What’s the longest you’ve ever waited in line? I am not a big waiter for much.....though I did wait in line for over two hours to get into Nell Hills warehouse sale. Well, worth the wait. I scored about $1000 worth of stuff for a little less than $100!

It’s been said that, “The best things in life are free.” Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
I do think it is true. Time spent with friends and family, making memories doing whatever are priceless. Everywhere we have lived, we have made lifelong friends.

If you could go back in time and re-live one day in your life, which day would you choose and why?Ooohhh, that is a hard one.....I think I agree with Lisa, though the birth of our kids was rough, right after delivery is so memorable.

Ginger Pear muffin mosiac, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

These were the best muffins ever! Right next to the pear is a piece of dark chocolate you tuck in once they come out of the oven...it makes a little gooey pocket of chocolate!!

Finally, I am almost to my 10,000 visitor to my little blog.....so, whoever the 10,000 visitor is I will send you an ornament (if you are willing to share your address!!)

Edited to add recipe: (my notes in red)

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour ( I use 1 c. whole wheat flour, 1/2 all-purpose flour)
1 t. baking powder
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
2/3 c. mild molasses
1/4 c butter, melted
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. boiling water
2 small pears cut into six wedges each
3 oz.dark or bittersweet chocolate broken into small pieces
raw sugar ( I used turbinado sugar)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray and flour. (oops, I forgot the flour part and they came out fine out of a stoneware muffin pan,)

2. In large bowl combine flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. In a second bowl, whisk together molasses, brown sugar, butter, brown sugar, and egg. Pour into flour mixture. Stir until combined. Whisk in boiling water. (If you are using a stand mixer, do this VERY slowly or it will splatter hot water everywhere!!!) Divide evenly among muffin cups. add one pear wedge to each muffin, press lightly. (Don't press all the way to the bottom, or the muffin falls apart.)

3. Bake 15-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Sprinkle with raw sugar. Add chocolate pieces to top of muffins. (I pushed the chocolate piece in just barely half way to make the little pool of chocolate.) Cool in pan on rack ten minutes. Use table knife to smooth melted chocolate. Remove from cups. Cool completely on wire rack.

Makes 12.