Intro
“I could set up the tent.” Gabe said, and that is how it began. Suddenly a day that looked like every other was instantly transformed into one that was marked with excitement. A simple sunny day was now one that included a “fort tent” – the perfect setting for adventures that include sword fights, battles with dragons and wrestling matches that put the pros to shame.
Gabe and I fought with the awkwardly long poles as we realized we bought the tent as a newly married couple and this was our first time setting it up. A joyous tent initiation I’d say. The boys flailed their nerf swords around the not yet erect tent, passing the time as best they could.
It took longer than we expected, as these things do, but we managed to elevate it to it’s proper towering state. Baron and Roman moved their wrestling from the grass to the tent and Ivy and I laid under the mesh roof watching the perfectly puffed clouds stumble across the ice blue sky. Gabe took it all in from his Adirondack chair with slightly warmed-by-the-sun I.P.A.
Eventually the wrestling ceased and in its place there were games and movies on the iPad, still inside the tent. We spent that afternoon in the tent and the next morning when the gray skies moved in and the first spat of rain hit the brightly green grass we couldn’t bare to put the tent away. Instead, the rain roof was placed on top.
As it turns out a tent is good for both protecting from the harsh rays of the sun as well as sheltering you from the cool rains of Summer. Another day in the tent, this time there were muffins. The perfect portable breakfast that easily transferred to our recently found second home. With muffins there was coffee for Gabe and I and the comfort of sleeping bags and family close by.
Tart dried cherries tasting of Summer sun and the warmth of toasted nuts and Cardamom as comforting as the soft rain that gently tapped on the roof like a guest requesting permission to join us in our tent.
It was a tent. A simple task of setting up that took us all of 20 minutes to complete was all that it took to transform what could have been a day like any other into something magical and one that will be present with us again.
“Remember the time we set up the tent in the yard?” We’ll recount in some chance moment in the far off future when perhaps our children will have children. With longing in our voices we’ll recall the way Roman snuggled into daddy’s lap cozied under the vivid green sleeping bag. And the way Baron ate his muffin by first plucking off the streusel topping then devouring the rest, using his teeth to release the defiant bits that clung to the muffin paper.
Days easily roll into the next and after awhile they all start to look the same. The monotony can become deafening making the thought of breaking out of the routine seem almost impossible. And then someone suggests building a tent and the day is new, different, and exciting. The routine is put on hold until further notice and we fail to fall into our rhythm as this disruption has shaken us in the best way possible.
In the midst routine it is easily to switch into cruise control, setting you on your path so that you don’t have much to think about except what is right in front of you. The problem I come up against is that everything that surrounds me starts to lose focus. My depth of field narrows and all I see is what is mere moments away. With a subtle agitation every thing is knocked out of balance causing things that were there all along to speak up and become noticeable.
In our breach of routine that was the tent, I stopped to appreciate how young and innocent Roman’s voice still sounds – this won’t be for very much longer. The way he fumbles over his words and his eyes tell of his excitement before a word escapes from his mouth as he tells a story. How Baron is eager to learn continually asking for further explanation of words like anticipate and then setting up the remaining muffins as a math problem taking away one from the three that are now two. He happily eats his subtraction. And Ivy who in a matter of a few days transformed from baby into a full fledged member of the family that interacts and responds to us all. Never ceasing to move, she crawls over us all taking in each snuggle and kiss that comes her way.
The muffin pans get cleaned and the tent gets taken down and puts up a fight in submitting to fit in its convenient black tote. Routine sets in once again. It’s not all bad, in fact some sort of schedule is necessary in order to effectively run a family of five smoothly. But the reminder to occasionally through the routine off balance is one that I won’t soon forget.
Cherry Muffins with Walnut, Sesame Seed, and Cardamom Streusel
These muffins are sweet enough to be deemed a weekend breakfast treat but contain the hearty and nutritious crunch from walnuts and sesame seeds. My favorite dried cherries are Montmorency Cherries that can be found at Trader Joe’s. They are pleasant tart and plump of beautifully when warmed with vanilla, lemon zest, cinnamon, and water. The extra step of plumping the dried fruit prevents them from stealing any of the moisture out of the muffin, leaving you with a perfectly moist cake.
5 tablespoons butter, softened
½ cup (3 ½ ounces) dark brown sugar
1 large egg
¾ cup whole milk yogurt
1 ½ cups (6 ¾ ounces) all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¾ cup dried cherries
¼ cup water
½ vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon lemon zest
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
pinch nutmeg
Streusel
¾ cup all purpose flour
½ cup walnuts, chopped
1 stick (4 ounces) butter, melted
pinch cardamom (or the seeds from 4 pods, ground)
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup turbinado sugar (you may substitute brown sugar)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Pre-heat oven to 350*
Line a muffin tin with 12 muffin papers.
In a small saucepan combine the dried cherries, water, lemon zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Over low heat bring to a gentle simmer then remove from the stove and let stand while you prepare the muffin batter. Alternately you can place this all in a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and microwave for one minute and then let stand. The cherries will soak up the liquid until very little remains.
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and use a whisk to combine.
In a medium bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment cream the butter and sugar until light, about three minutes on medium speed. Scrape down the side of the bowl, then with the machine running on medium low, add the egg. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl again. Once the egg is combined add ⅓ of the flour mixture on low speed. With flour streaks still present, add half of the yogurt then repeat until all the flour and yogurt has been added. Stop the machine and stir in the cherry mixture using a rubber spatula, taking care not to over mix.
To prepare the streusel mix all the ingredients until combined and break into small and medium clumps.
Using a large spoon fill the muffin tin with batter ¾ full. Scatter the streusel evenly over each muffin. Bake in the middle rack for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs. Let cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool until warm enough to bite into. Serve with coffee and enjoy inside the warmth of a tent.
This recipe is so creative! I love everything that’s in it. Yum!
Ah, these look almost too indulgently scrumptious to be called muffins. Love how fancy and inviting they are!
Beautiful post and I do love dried cherries in baked goods! Your words remind me of that saying, “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.” It’s so important to live for today and break up the routine with even the smallest thing (like setting up a tent) to create a special moment.
So glad you can “throw it all to the wind” occassionally. Spontanious moments can and will be the best memories. Schedules will wait, there are castles to conquer and wars to be fought. enjoy
You have the coolest photos and recipes! You write so well that I constantly feel that I am “hovering” over these experiences, invited into your kitchen, living room, and back yard. Looking forward to testing these muffins out on the boys. Look delicious!
What a lovely reminder to shake up routines and create special memories! The days do pass quickly (my little boys have become teenagers – still delightful as ever, just so much bigger!) and days where we do the “out of the ordinary” stand out so sweetly in my memory. Your cherry muffins look like a delicious treat for any day!
You’re story was beautiful and makes me long for a day in a tent.
That streusel sounds irresistable, especially to this caradamom-lover!
I remember when my brother and I used to build forts in our living room with an old army surplus parachute. It was so huge it would cover the entire room, wrapped around furniture and propped up with floor lamps. We loved it in there. Every kid needs some good tent time…and muffins.
I love these muffins and can’t wait to try them. Sadly I have no tent but I think it’s fantastic that you had an instant getaway.
Maureen – Luckily the tent is not required for the muffins. Just an added bonus.
A beautiful story and wise words, very much appreciated in my current state of mind 🙂 I think we all need to be reminded to break out of routines that a little too rigid once in a while.
I miss camping so much, I absolutely love sleeping in a tent in the outdoors.
Beautiful sentiment — and so true. The stagnation of routine can be like a warm blanket, that suddenly starts to smother. And when you break free, you wonder why you didn’t before. This is why I often dream of life on a sailboat, every day different…but more likely, consistency and routine would find me there as well. Instead — there should be more simple pleasures, like a tent weekend, or spontaneous champagne. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
Erin – Now I’m dreaming of life on a sail boat. And champagne. 🙂
Beautiful post! And those muffins looks divine!!!
Beautifully written-I could imagine the scene in your backyard. I love Cardamom, the muffins sound wonderful!
Yummy!
I’m in love with your photograph skills, I’m glad someone out there knows how to take good pictures. =)
Your post brings back memories of when my son and daughter were small. How I wish I could turn back time, just for a moment and share these treasured afternoons again! Time passes so quickly, your little ones will be adults in the blink of an eye. Lovely story. Great web site!
Wonder-filled post with bubbling joy. Thanks for the reminder of small changes that can make large effects on our affect and spirit. By the way, we’re enjoying the Rhubarb cake recipe and made one to give away to a family who had a death in the family. Delicious recipe. Muffins and Streusel will be next.
Thank you all for your kind comments and I’m not just talking about this post. You’ve all continued to overwhelm me with your graciousness even when I haven’t really been present here much. A mere thank you doesn’t really cut it but it’s all I have right now, so thank you. Thank you for being here, for encouraging me and continuing with me on this journey.
I bet cherry and cardamom are amazing together!
Yes, I would have done the same… eaten the streusel topping first before shoving the rest of it in my mouth. When it comes to muffins, I become a child.
such a sweet story. it’s always the little things, isn’t it? I can imagine these going over quite well in a tent. Can’t wait to try them, muffins with a streusel topping are my favorite.
what a great story!! and those muffins look outrageous — i swoon for streusel! 🙂 haha thanks for sharing!
This reminds me so much of when my kids made tents – out of upside down chairs and couch cushions and blankets. They were in a secret world – and if they could have snacks in there, life was magical. These muffins would be perfect tent adventure fare.
I love the name of these : ) as creative as the recipe itself!
That’s such a cute story. I have a three year old nephew and I love when my rigid schedules break down for an afternoon of baking or just pretend playing with him. Also, you have a gorgeous writing style. It’s as poetic as the simple, vibrant pictures you have all over your website. Those muffins look great too.
So many things going on in these muffins! Love the sesame seeds in the streusel
I applaud you for even attempting to put up a tent!! Those muffins look nice and hearty.
These were delicious! Hope you are well – you’ve been gone for a wee while and I am missing you! Love L XXX
I miss the days when my brothers and I got along long enough to make tents in the living room. My mom’s not a baker so we never had muffins to go along with them. These look extra special.
These are currently in the oven, and I can’t wait to try them- I’m a huge fan of the flavors. I was wondering if the butter quantity in the streusel is supposed to be 4 Tablespoons instead of 4 oz. I doubled the recipe (expecting they will be delicious). When I doubled the streusel, I used 2 sticks/16 Tablespoons melted butter, and without thinking poured it all into the dry ingredients, rather than adding to achieve consistency. It was really soupy.