Baby Name Tuesday: Week 3

Hey! Have you ever read a baby name book? Well, this past week, I opened up Beyond Jennifer and Jason, Madison and Montana: What to Name Your Baby Now, and it was great! Unlike traditional baby name books with the names spelled out with meanings and pronunciation keys like a dictionary, this book explored 6 areas of names- had many fun lists along the way. One of my most favorite features of this book was the history component. For example, did you know that Margaret is sometimes considered the national Scottish female name? Or that in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 21% of girls were named Mary, 17% Elizabeth, and 15% Sarah? This book also goes into trends- why parents pick the names they do, but also which picks are perfect for a fashionista in the making, or a macho man.

Above is a list of "truly unisex" location and place names. Although I disagree with several names on this list. For one, I think Paris is definitely a girls' name, and Devon? A boys' name.

I would think this book is appropriate for girls' 11 and up. :-)

Join Baby Name Tuesday with a fun name post today!

Bye for now! ~Margaux

Crazy, Crazy Summertime

Hey all! I normally like to include a photo or video or image in my post but not this time, because well, I don't have one! I have not had anything to take photos of or anything to post about, but also no time to post. I've been super busy in camp as well as sleeping in, and I just haven't any time to post. I know I'm neglecting this blog, but I will try to post as often as I can, which leads me to next issue.

Next week, I'll be at sleepaway camp- no phones, iPods, computers, etc. Which means, no way to post! I will have a timed Baby Name Tuesday (I think these'll be every other Tuesday, or which ever way it works out) and maybe an extra post or two.

It's kind of funny how summer works out. Bloggers I see type that they will post more in the summertime, but for me, it's just the opposite! I guess not having a fixed schedule (like school) really contributes a lot to that. Oh well.

Bye for now!
~Margaux

Quadruple Berry Muffins

Hey ya'll! A couple of posts ago, I mentioned that I made my favorite muffins and was going to post a tutorial- here it is! Yum!

Here is the recipe that I use- I made a few modifications, specifically softening the butter, a adding an extra splash of vanilla, and, of course, adding four types of berries- cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. I've also put letters on each section of a collage photo so I can go into more detail and describe each photo. NOTE: I doubled this recipe!

Here's is what you'll need to double this recipe (makes 24 muffins):

-1 cup of butter, softened

-2 cups of sugar (plus extra to sprinkle for topping)

-4 eggs

-2 teaspoons vanilla (add an extra splash!)

-4 teaspoons baking powder

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-4 cups flour

-1 cup milk

-5 cups of berries 

First preheat your oven to 375° and grease two 12-cup muffin pans (I normally just use paper cups). Soften butter in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. While butter is heating, toss sugar in a large bowl and add the softened butter. Mix it all up!

Once mixed, add the four eggs (A) and mix again (B)!

Add the baking powder (A), vanilla (B), and salt (C) and mix it all up (D)!

This next step is tricky. Add the half of the flour (A) and half of the milk (B), mix it up, then repeat with the other halves and mix again.

After it's mixed (A), add the cranberries (B) and other berries (C). Then mix it all up (D)!

Then place in muffin cups (A), I'd fill them up about halfway and sprinkle a little sugar on each. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden-brown. Enjoy!

~Margaux

ps. What did you think of this tutorial? Did you like it or is there anything you would change? Please comment!