When I was in my early twenties, I was newly married and starting to have my children. It was the beginning of trying to figure out how to be a wife, mother, and still be able to work.

I didn’t even know how to cook yet. I could make pasta, chicken, and rice and we had those things a lot. As I started learning, I really enjoyed finding new cookbooks. I didn’t really like “official” cookbooks because there were never enough pictures. The Joy of Cooking is great info but I never wanted to use it because there were no pictures. Before you start thinking I’m an idiot, try to understand, I’m an artist and have always been very visual. Seeing what I was going to be making inspired me. When you’re new, it’s hard to imagine what something you’ve never made is going to look like.

My all-time favorite cookbooks are by Susan Branch. I found her first cookbook in 1987. They’re full of fun recipes, but the best thing about them is the story that weaves it’s way through all of her books. Susan lives on Martha’s Vineyard and she’s full of fantastic ideas for throwing parties and entertaining. I love her because she’s fun, romantic, and inspirational! I also love her because she is a self-taught artist. She created a whole line of books and stationary from what were once little doodles and drawings that her friends and family liked, and told her she should do more of. See? Believe your people when they encourage you to take your talents on the road. If you have a chance check out her work. It’s full of color, sweetness, and quotes by fabulous people.

Back to my original purpose for this blog. During my hunt for fun cookbooks I found this little cookbook for muffins, Muffins A to Z. I can’t believe you can still buy it on Amazon! I also loved the fact that it has only 4 and 5 star reviews. I’m not the only one who thinks it’s great. There is a muffin recipe for every letter in the alphabet! I have my favorites, but the one I like the most is the banana muffin. I don’t need milk for it and it seems like I’m not eating a ton of sugar. So good.

I can’t tell you how many black bananas sit in my fridge for these banana muffins. At least until I throw them out. So when all the stars are aligned and I happen to have everything I need, I make these muffins with my black bananas! This week I did just that.

As you can see, it’s beat up.

All of my favorite cookbooks are dirty and have smudges and crumbs in them. I don’t know why but there is just something I LOVE about that.

Ok, these are amazing, and perfect for your chocolate lover.

Here is the recipe!

This is when I learned to throw my baking soda and powder through a sieve.

Mmmm, walnuts. I LOVE them. Not hot for the thyroid, but I still eat them sparingly. How can you not?

The recipes are so easy, a few dry ingredients, a few wet, throw them together and bake.

Yay! Seriously, they taste perfect. The banana makes them so moist on the inside and crispy on the edges. I die.