12 Fresh Blackberry Mojito Muffins

The pelican hopped down from it's chair, flapping it's wings at me as if to shoo me away, but I just laughed.  Next to the pelican in the animal hospital, a small fox paced back and forth stopping only for a drink of water and the on to pacing again.  Just to the right and one row above the fox, a small screech owl sat sleeping up against the front of his cage, just a little grey lump with two little tufts for ears.  They all live here temporarily while they are rehabilitated for one reason or another and then they will be released back into the wild.  If they can't be released, they become permanent residents.  

I did the laundry a few times, cleaned some dishes, prepared the diet for the raccoons and went to clean the adult and baby doves' cage.  The adult dove hopped around a little bit but didn't seem bothered by me reaching in and out of his cage, gathering up dirty newspapers and replenishing it's food and water...little did I know it had big plans.  I turned my back and he flew out!  "Not on my first day..." was all I could think.  I ran to get my supervisor and she easily caught the little fiend and put him back. I moved on to the babies, the cutest little balls of fluff peeping eagerly at you.  At least they couldn't fly yet - or so I thought, they quickly sized me up to be a softy or something, because they did their best to try and escape the entire time.  At one point we were in a stand-off, the baby dove sitting in the water dish as I held it at the front of the cage...neither of us making a move.  Eventually I lured it down. 

But my favorite part of the whole day was feeding the baby squirrels. O.M.G.  Those pesky rodents that steal my bird feeder, are unbelievably cute as babies.  Their eyes weren't open yet, and they were covered in the softest grayish-brown fur.  As you hold them they just wrapped their tiny arms around your thumb and hug you tight while squeaking softly, okay the doves are right I am a softy.  Apparently baby squirrels need to be encouraged to err...go to the bathroom, and if you tickle them with a tissue on their bellies that seems to do the trick.  So one girl fed and I...tickled, aiming them over a trash can.  

How do I explain that on a resume? 

It's the best time I've ever had...who knew I would finally find what I love at 29.  I spent an hour on the dock with a wheelbarrow of small fish feeding over 50 pelicans and a few great blue herons.  Pelicans are not very patient...waddling up to try to steal their own helping of fish or tugging at your pant leg begging for their meal.  But I was in heaven.  I'm pretty sure every day will be full of surprises...so I hope you don't mind hearing about my animal adventures.

Blackberry Mojito Muffins, sigh, doesn't it just sound like you should be on a beach somewhere?  Already tan, a nice cool drink in your hand, toasting in some sunshine....these muffins are the ticket to your vacation.  Okay maybe not quite that, but the fresh, vibrant flavors will put a smile on your face for sure.  

Blackberry Mojito Muffins

(makes 18 muffins)

2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon milk
1 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
1 stick butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries

For the Icing:

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 lime zested

juice of 1 lime

1-2 Tablespoons milk (depending on how much juice you get from the lime)

1.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.  Fill a muffin pan with paper liners and set aside.

2.  In a large bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside. 

3.  In a small bowl mix together the finely chopped mint (keep chopping until it is little flakes) and the sugar.

4.  In a mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, sour cream, milk, butter, vanilla and mint+sugar mixture on medium speed.

5.  Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, a third at a time.  Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl between each addition.  You don't want to overmix the batter, so mix until the flour is just incorporated - the batter will be lumpy, that's okay.

6.  Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the blackberries. 

7.  Spoon the batter into the muffin liners, filling each to about 3/4 full. 

8.  Bake for about 18-20 minutes, until golden brown and when poked a toothpick comes out clean.  Let cook in the pan for 2 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

9.  In a small bowl mix together the confectioners sugar, lime zest, lime juice, and milk.  Let sit for 3-5 minutes to set.  Place the cooled muffins on a wire rack set on a baking sheet to catch the extra glaze.  Then using a spoon lightly drizzle the glaze over the muffins. 

Enjoy!

(Muffin base recipe adapted from Simply Recipes)