From the kitchen of Suzie Hart, Sweet Hart Inn
Blog Post, May 16: What We Stir Inn
Let’s talk batter. And baggage.
Some folks say baking is about following instructions. Step-by-step, measurement by measurement, precise and predictable. (And let me tell you, I *love* a good predictable recipe.) But there’s always something else we stir in, isn’t there?
This week I found myself elbow-deep in blueberry muffin batter. Again. And not because the rooms were full and guests were asking for more. No, this batch had nothing to do with breakfast service, or testing recipes for the cookbook, but everything to do with nerves, memory, and that knot-in-the-stomach kind of uncertainty I thought I’d baked out of my life a year ago.
It’s funny how the right—or wrong—person walking back into your kitchen can toss your whole sense of calm out with the coffee grounds.
So, I stirred.
And while the oven preheated and the batter rested, I thought about what we carry with us, what we bring to the mixing bowl.
Regret, hope, love, fear. Sometimes a little anger, too (I may or may not have slammed a cabinet door—sorry, hinges).
What we stir in flavors the whole batch. And maybe that’s okay. So, to those of you going through it this week—whatever *it* is—may I recommend a little kitchen therapy? Bake something simple. Stir slowly. Let it rest. And when the timer dings, give yourself permission to sit down with a warm muffin, maybe a cup of coffee or a glass of ice-cold sweet tea (whatever your preference) and remember that nothing good happens all at once.
We rise slowly. Together.
Today’s recipe: Lavender Honey Muffins
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2/3 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 egg
Whisk wet + dry separately, fold together, scoop into muffin tins, bake at 375 for 18-20 mins. Sprinkle tops with sugar if desired.
Until next time—
Suzie
💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Welcome to Sweet Hart Inn…
Where the kitchen is always warm and love is always on the menu.
Nestled on the peaceful edge of Falls Lake in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sweet Hart Inn is more than a cozy bed and breakfast—it’s a place where hearts heal, friendships form, and romance is served with a side of sass.
At the center of it all is Suzie Hart, a chef-turned-innkeeper whose recipes have a way of bringing people together (and finding their way into her books) —and sometimes, sparking unexpected love. Along with her (soon-to-be, maybe?) husband Brad, Suzie welcomes a delightful cast of characters through the inn’s front doors, such as runaway brides, brooding bachelors, holiday guests, disgruntled daters, and more.
Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming holiday escape, a second-chance romance, or a cozy story filled with culinary charm, the Sweet Hart Inn series delivers all the feel-good vibes you crave.
Bon Appetit! And enjoy.