Lazy Days and Squash Muffins

It was another one of those really, REALLY hot days here on the Bayou. One of those mid-to-late August days that makes you wish you could sit in the shade of an old oak tree and while away the hours just daydreaming. Oh wait..to complete this scene, you would need a glass of sweet tea and a paper hand-held fan. Yes! Ezzy and I started out early this morning with our usual walk around the property so she could get in her squirrel-chasing for the day and then we did just that! She was at my feet as I sat in my chair under the oaks. We just sat there watching the seagulls diving out on the Bay! Ahh, those lackadaisical days of late summer..those days when it seems far more important to keep cool than to do anything that requires massive physical exertion. What an idyllic setting..so peaceful............Well..that lasted all of about twenty minutes! Now, up and at it! Let's get a move on..no time for this laziness! Afterall, it is bread-making day!

Today's recipe..

Squash Muffins!

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

3/4 cup unsalted butter

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

3 eggs

2/3 cup milk

2 cups squash (such as butternut) or pumpkin puree

topping

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1/4 cup Turbinado sugar (raw brown sugar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and generously grease muffin pans. (This will make 12 of the large type muffins.)

In a large bowl, sift together the first 9 ingredients (dry) and set aside. In another bowl, beat together the butter and sugars until light (about 5 minutes). Add the eggs and beat well. Fold in the puree. Now alternately fold in the dry ingredients and the milk..stirring until just blended. Fill the muffin cups 3/4s full and then sprinkle the tops with the nuts and then sprinkle 1 teaspoon of Turbinado sugar on top of each muffin.

Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of muffin comes out clean.