Balance!

Balance, yeah, I need some of that!  In every sense of the word.  Yes, I've been known to fall off of sidewalks.
But what I need is just a little extra stretch of unclaimed time right now to clarify, to re-center, to plan, and just...
to think!   I feel today, sort of thrown back into my work life, and I must say - I wasn't ready for it.

I was really enjoying my time at home these past 10 or so days; and when I returned to the office today, I just wanted to run home and hide.  Just for, say, another few days.  Just to not be back there, again - yet.

But, I was there, all day, and I am planning on going back to work tomorrow (because I haven't completely taken leave of my senses)... so I'm trying to at least prepare mentally for the challenge.   And any of you who have stepped away from your work obligations for more than a week, and then have returned, probably know what I was faced with this Monday morning (the piles!! Oh my god, the mountains of paper!!) and why I'm not really that eager to go back.  The knitting, and the baking, and the playing in the snow was so so lovely!

If you are out there readers, please offer me some words of advice on how to return to balance,
how to ease into a new year with grace,
how to face an unmanageable pile of to-do's and to-must's, and to-days!!! with dignity and confidence.
I would really appreciate it!

And as a thank you, have some muffins.  They are really good.  They are also excellent at using up any leftover Eggnog you may have in your fridge this week...  (I always still have half a quart left after the holidays)

Eggnog Muffins

ingredients:  2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

2tsp. baking powder

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup eggnog

1/2 cup butter (melted and cooled)

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cinnamon

in medium bowl: combine dry ingredients, flour, sugar, baking powder, and make well in the center.

in mixer, beat eggs.  Then add egg nog, melted butter, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Add egg mixture all at once to dry mix.  Stir just until moist.

Prepare Streusel in food processor: pulse 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 2 tbsp butter until crumbly.

Spoon muffin mix into greased muffin tin. 

Sprinkle with streusel.

Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes.  Cool on rack.

Serve with nice winter soup!

(Warning: children will probably only eat muffins.)