What's in a Name?

As many of you know, I have an ongoing fascination with being domestic - particularly domestic in a way that harkens back to the days of old. It's hard to explain precisely, because this desire of mine does not take into account my utter reliance on modern conveniences (dishwasher, microwave, etc.). It's not so much that I want the process from the olden days, I just want the results. Or just the names (which, to me, capture a certain feeling). Hence, the other day when I thought it would be nice to bake some muffins from scratch. I started looking through my favourite book of recipes for baking and immediately was drawn to muffin recipes with names that conjured images of roaring hearth fires, harvest tables, and crisp linens drying in the wind. Lemon Ginger Muffins. Pumpkin Spice Muffins. Apricot Almond Muffins. And finally, Cornmeal and Cheddar Cheese Muffins. Oh, this was it! It sounded hearty and yes, domestic (I use the word "domestic" to describe a state for which I currently don't have a better word; yet, it's not quite precise). At any rate, the idea of making Cornmeal and Cheddar Cheese Muffins seemed so much more virtuous than Chocolate Chip Muffins (which were described as tasting more like cupcakes). I felt wholesome just thinking about it. Strangely enough, once I had decided upon this recipe I was filled with a certain feeling of... what? Excitement? Anticipation? Self-righteousness?

At last, the morning arrived. I warmed my hands by the fire and donned my apron. No wait, I just pre-heated the oven. Still, the ambience was similar. The aroma of baking filled the house with a warmth that contrasted nicely with the cold rain pelting the windows on what was a particularly dark morning. I put the kettle on and made a cup of tea to have with my glorious muffins. They looked good. They smelled good. They tasted... just okay. Alright, maybe less than okay. They were dry. Very, very dry. Even the tea couldn't wash down a whole muffin. I found myself wishing I'd made the cupcake-like Chocolate Chip Muffins. Surely they would taste good, even if they sounded so... ordinary, so straight-from-a-mix.

I packaged the remaining muffins for freezing. I know just when to pull them out. I think they might be perfect as a dinner companion to a hot stew, or some spicy chili on a cold, blustery night with the wind whipping at the windows... after all, they are more of a biscuit than a muffin. Clearly, they're not a morning treat; yet, they have so much potential. They must have! Especially if they're dipped in something liquid.

Carolyn