I loved reading everyone’s words on my last post. The baby shower on Sunday was beautiful, and it was a pleasure to relive it through pictures and writing. I think there is much value in honoring our past, despite its imperfections. My family is far from perfect–we’ve all made our share of mistakes–but there is much love and joy. Much to celebrate.
Not only did I have my first baby shower this week, but Ryan and I are also buying our first house. We’ve spent the past several months looking and praying for the right home. We found it, about four weeks ago, and we’re closing on Friday. The couple who owned it previously had been there for over twenty years. Well into their eighties, they now live in a retirement center. From the moment we walked through the front door, we could tell they cherished their home. I look forward to sharing more pictures in the weeks to come…but here’s a sneak peek. Ryan examining one of TWO wood fireplaces.
In other news: I’m officially in my third trimester. We had a 3d ultrasound on Monday, and my whole family fell in love with our little Lou. She kept her hands close to her face as if to say, “I’m not quite ready for you to see me,” but there were moments when we caught her lips and eyes, when she yawned and sucked her thumb. To have this living and growing baby inside of me is nothing short of miraculous. I cherish every movement, and I long, with eager expectation, the day she’ll be out of my stomach and in my arms.
These sweet potato muffins came together on a cold afternoon. Moist and spicy with a buttery crumb, these muffins make perfect morning treats…or afternoon snacks. I took them to our cousin’s birthday party…and Ryan and I both enjoyed a couple on our way down. If you don’t have mashed sweet potato handy, canned pumpkin works equally well. Whole Foods even sells canned sweet potato. It can be pricey, but if you like the flavor of sweet potatoes, it might be worth storing a can or two.
Sweet Potato Crumb Muffins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon grated cinnamon
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
1 cup sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, cold and cut into small cubes
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and grease or line a 12-tin muffin pan. Set aside
In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, salt, grated nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, and canola oil. Fold in sweet potatoes and vanilla. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
Divide batter amongst muffin tins. In a small bowl, cut butter into 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/3 cup all purpose flour until the mixture resembles coarse peas. Sprinkle topping generously over muffins. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until muffins have domed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Hello little baby!!! How totally sweet. And wow… you certainly are going through some major changes right now. It’s all so exciting. Congratulations on the house! A fireplace… it really is my dream. This whole post (including these awesome muffins) brought a huge smile to my face.
What a beauty…Miss Lucy and you, Mama!
Yay baby pic and a house! I’m so happy for you guys! You’ll be gazing at little Lucy in no time. I’m on a sweet potato kick. I wasn’t a fan when I was young but I can’t get enough as an adult. They sound delicious!
There she is! Oh, how exciting for you to see your little girl! I can already tell that you and your whole family has so much love for her. So happy that you found a house, too! Even empty, it looks like a cozy home to raise a family. Thanks for sharing these muffins too, they look delicious! See you Monday, lovely lady. 🙂
Monet, everything about this post is so exciting! I cannot wait to see more of the house and more of Lucy. Those 3D ultrasounds are amazing! I’m thinking I’m going to be making a gluten free version of these muffins this weekend because I have some sweet potatoes lying around. Thanks for sharing everything here – what an honor to be a part of your and Ryan’s journey. 🙂
What a gorgeous looking house, I am sure you are going to have so much fun decorating it! And baby looks so contented:D Have a great Easter weekend.
Mmmm, those muffins look delicious! I’m currently starving, so I wish a few of them could magically hop through the computer to me right now… =)
Everything about this post is making me grin! I am so excited for you, Monet. Have a blessed day!
Love this post 🙂 What an amazing, exciting time for you!
Congratulations on your new home, or shpuld I wait till tomorrow? It’s so hard to find a right one. I know that you’ll all be very happy over there. Show some pictures of a kitchen 😀
Hope this house works out for you. Must have karma. This is an exciting time for you. I’m sure you’ll be making the kitchen the heart of your new home. I can picture you baking bread with the baby in a high chair.
I happen to have some sweet potatoes that need to be cooked. These muffins have their name on them.
Monet! I haven’t been by to visit in ages, but saw this post on FB and was thrilled that you are having a baby! Congratulations and good luck and every other good wish!!!
So many changes, so many milestones…Wow. Congratulations in advance.
The muffins rock too.
Velva
What an exciting time in your life. Congratulations on purchasing your first home. It will be so lovely to have your home set up in time for the arrival of Lou. What a gorgeous 3d image. It’s so amazing these days that we have all this technology. My mother was giving birth in the days when the obstetrician would often be surprised by a woman having twins without having realised she was carrying more than one – times have changed so quickly! xx
Hi Monet,
The picture of your little baby is so special!
It is nice to know that you have found your new house. Pretty soon it will be a wonderful home for your little growing family!
And your muffins looks delicious, I have not tried baking with sweet potatoes in muffins before! Would be lovely with a cup of warm tea!
Take care and Happy Easter!
Congratulations on your new home, Monet, I can’t wait to see the pictures. Those sweet potato muffins look divine. I love sweet potatoes and will be sure to try them sometime.
Congrats on yournew house! It looks like a great place for a family! Love the fireplace, and you say there are TWO! Awesome! Hope you have an easy move to your new house! Your little Lucy looks so cute and I think she’s very happy there! Thanks for sharing these good news!
Cute baby photo and great looking house!
MONET!!! Honey, I am so happy for you!! What an amazing adventure you two are having! Having a house is verrry excited and verrry scary at the same time. You will love it and I have no doubt that you will make it your own in no time. Oh I am just so excited, I am bouncing in my seat!
Sweet Potato muffins?! Oh my! I would gladly eat 4 😀
Have a blessed Easter!
Monet, your whole post is so very lovely, the amazing 3D picture of your baby, the house that you bought and, of course, also the fabulous looking sweet potato muffins – I love baking with potatoes, sweet as well as regular potatoes, and this recipe sounds delicious – crumbs are such a wonderful topping for muffins.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Easter that is filled with plenty of love and happiness!
So much excitement for you guys – very cool! And I can’t believe you made sweet potato muffins – I have a sweet potato bread recipe ready to go up next week! Great minds think alike 🙂
Hello, little Lucy! You have a loving family and beautiful home waiting for you! 🙂
Congratulations on your new home, Monet! I’m so happy you found the house of your dreams, and I look forward to seeing it all set up! I also can’t wait to see what you bake in it 🙂
yummm i love anything to do with sweet potatoes. and a crumbly topping? yes. definitely speaking my language
Wow Monet- lots of good stuff to look forward to….Congratulations on your new home and the exciting picture of your baby 😉 How cool is it to take a look inside !?!
Beautiful crumbly topped sweet potato muffins to celebrate all the good things in life 😉
Happy Easter and have a wonderful weekend 😉
Congratulations my friend, finding a new home is such an awesome feeling I am sure 😀
And lovely looking muffins!
Cheers
CCU
such healthy muffins. congratulations on buying a house and being in your 3rd trimester. it looks like all your weight is around your belly, that is the key. 🙂
Those 3d ultrasounds seriously never cease to amaze me! She’s gonna be a cutie, I can tell!
Congrats on the new home!!
And these muffins. LOVE. All things sweet potato – LOVE.
Congratulations on your first house! And, what fantastic-looking muffins. The sweet potato sounds delicious, and I love the crumb topping.
Congrats on the new house! Another wonderful change in your lives! And just look at that precious baby face…love the 3D ultrasound. Your muffins look fantastic…have a wonderful Easter, my friend!
I can just imagine that older couple being so pleased with you two (I mean three) picking up the love they felt for that house. GREG
Lovely photos! Congratulations on your new home, and your third trimester. Your muffins look wonderful, and I’ll be adding them to my list of recipes to try.
Mmm, I was just thinking about sweet potato cupcakes the other day, so your muffins look delicious. And you continue to look fabulously gorgeous! So happy for you.
Congrats on your new home! We definitely need to see more pictures. And thanks for sharing the 3d picture of little Lou. The sweet potato muffins look wonderful, too – definitely something I need to try. Very exciting post – thanks for sharing all the info with us.
Aw, baby 🙂
Mmm, muffins. 🙂
congrats!! so exciting!! these sound wonderful, absolutely wonderful!
Dear Monet, Happy Easter! I wish you a beautiful and blessed holiday.
Oh what beautiful images…congratulations with finding a home. I keep you and your family in my prayers…and of course that precious little one. God bless.
The muffins look delightful!
With all my love, Catherine xo
Congratulations! What a great news! That looks like a wonderful house. I can’t wait to see more of it. 🙂 Wish you a smooth process on the paper work and moving.
Congrats on the house!! And Lou looks so cute there! I Cannot wait to meet her 🙂
ps: I need this muffins, so much!
Congrats on your new home, how exciting!!! You are almost there, in no time your sweet Lou will be in your arms:-) Hubby and I were looking at sweet potatoes at the farmers market, but we didn’t know what to do with them. I never think about adding them to sweet treats, but I plan to now. Your muffins look wonderful! Hugs, Terra
Delicious looking muffins!
Congrats on your new home! That is so great.
Cheers,
Rosa
Mmm…I love crumb toppings! That little ultrasound face is priceless!!
She is absolutely gorgeous! I bet your heart just burst when you saw her little face! this muffins sound absolutely amazing!
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