These are some of my favorite thrift store finds that I love to dress up the breakfast table.  The napkins are of course pears + bears and can be found here.

Like my children I am excited for a new year.  A clean slate.  For me this is the time for "new years resolutions".  During the summer we have a variety of early birds, sleepy heads and some in between.  So breakfast is usually cereal or toast when you wake up.  I am looking forward to sitting down together and eating breakfast as a family.  I am also going to try to serve more homemade breakfasts.  For me how the table looks is almost as important as what we eat.  I love cloth napkins and my red calico plates that I got for $1 each at old time pottery.  A pitcher of water or OJ makes it feel even more special.  I love to set the table after dinner.  I am not a morning person so I like to do as much the night before as possible.  Here are a few of my favorite breakfast recipes.

Oatmeal Buttermilk Muffins

I c buttermilk

1 c rolled oats

1 egg

½ c brown sugar

1 c whole wheat flour

½ t baking soda

1 ½ tsp salt

4 T vegetable oil

½ cup raisins

Mix the buttermilk and oatmeal together and let it stand for 5 min.  then add the egg and brown sugar mix will.  Add the dry ingredients and then the oil.

Bake in a greased muffin tin at 400 f for 15 To 20 min.

Oatmeal with Honey Toasted Pecans

Make a pot of oatmeal.  I like to use some unfiltered apple juice in place of some of the water.  I also like the thicker cut oatmeal.  Then sweeten to taste with maple syrup.  If I have the time a like to set out some options for the kids to add like chopped apple or raisins.  But my favorite is honey toasted pecans.

Honey Toasted Pecans

Toast chopped pecans in a non stick skilled over med heat for about 3 min.  then pour some honey over the pecans until it thickens then let them cool.

Blueberry and Lemon Muffins

3 c whole wheat flour

4t baking powder

1t salt

½ c canola oil

2 eggs

1c buttermilk

1c honey

2T lemon zest

I c blueberries

Bake at 375 for 15-20 min