Small Packages . . .

"Just a little word of kindness,
Just a little word of love,
Just a little smile of tenderness,
Are all blessings from above.

Just a little thought of comfort,
Just a token that you care,
Just a little gesture of sympathy,
May be answer to a prayer.

Just a little smile of happiness,
Just a little song of peace,
Just a word of praise at eventide,
Will give the soul release.

For the little bit of kindness,
And the little bit of care,
The little bit of tenderness,
Are the essence of a prayer.
~author unknown

A lovely thought and beautiful little reminder to help begin your new week with this morning. Remember . . . you may be the answer to someone's heartfelt prayer . . . just a smile, or a kind word, or a little hug may be all that they need . . . or a prayer offered. I don't know anyone that can't use one and wouldn't be grateful to get one on their behalf . . .



Short but sweet, I know, but then again my mama always told me that the best things came in small packages. I think she was right!

We are just starting to see some of the early plums in the shops now. Here's a delicious way to use some of them up!



*Pink Drizzle Muffins*
Makes 12

Moist and studded with chunks of lovely plum and topped with the delicious crunch and a sweet drizzle of pink icing, These muffins are quite simply wonderful and so very easy to make and enjoy!

225g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
75g caster sugar
½ tsp salt
1 large egg
200ml milk
30g butter, melted
180g of red or purple plums, stoned and diced (approximately 4)
The finely grated zest of one lemon
75g of macadamia nuts, chopped coarsely
Pink writing icing*(see below)

Pre-heat the oven to 180° C/350° F. Generously butter a 12 cup medium muffin tray or place a paper muffin case in each cup. Set aside.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, sugar, lemon zest and salt together in a medium sized bowl. Melt the butter in the microwave. Whisk together the egg and milk in another bowl and then whisk in the melted butter. Add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture all at once and mix together mixing only until the dry ingredients are all moistened. Fold in the chopped plums.

Divide the mixture evenly amongst the prepared muffin cups. Scatter the chopped macadamia nuts over the top of each one. Bake in the heated oven for 17 to 20 minutes until well risen and lightly browned on top.

Remove from the oven and transfer each muffin to a wire rack to cool slightly before eating. Drizzle the tops with pink icing before serving. (Not a necessity but lovely to behold and a nice sweet touch against the savoury nuts)

*Pink Drizzle Icing*
Makes about 1/2 cup

1 cup icing sugar
drop of vanilla essence
drop of red food colouring
milk

Sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Whisk in the vanilla, food colouring and enough milk to make a smooth icing, thin enough to drizzle. (usually about 1 1/2 TBS)