Last year, once we decided that Michael would accept the job in Miami, we then had to decide where we would live in Miami. A good friend of mine from college is actually born and raised in Miami, and went back there after her Wildcat years. She is living in Bay Harbor, and campaigned heavily for us to come live in that area. Although, why she wanted us nearby I have no idea as I have yet to be invited over for a glass of wine. Just saying, Dena. 🙂

After checking out the schools and realizing they were awesome, we decided we were good with that area. But Bay Harbor is on the bay. And after watching entirely too many episodes of House Hunters International and yelling at the people who do not pick to live on either the beach or the city center, we knew we needed to live on the beach, at least for the first year or so while we figured out our long term plan. But as I am not a Miami Level Trophy Wife with a husband who earns the money to have that kind of wife, having a house on the beach was out of the question. So after much searching (the story of our real estate agent will be for another day), we found a decent condo, at a price we could actually afford that was on the beach in Surfside, which is the area next to Bay Harbor. The only ocean view is from Averi’s bedroom, as we could actually only afford the partial, side view, with the majority of our view being the busy main street that runs in front of the beach.

But here is a picture from the building patio, where our pool is located. I know, right?

We moved in last December, which means we basically missed the holiday season. But now we have been here a year. Which means we are expected to take the specially printed handout from the front desk, that lists every single person who works in the building. And then you are supposed to give each of those people an envelope, filled with money. In unmarked, nonsequential bills. Not really, although I do kind of feel like I am being forced to do something I don’t want to do. Three of the people who work here I couldn’t even pick out of a line up, as they work night shifts and I be asleep early. Another three I nod and smile to, but I am willing to bet they couldn’t pick me out of a line up. The remainder I am good with giving a little tip to. But together they all add up to this huge stack of envelopes.

After filling all those envelopes, I needed to cheer myself up. The obvious answer is to remind myself why I like living in this building, and go for a walk on the beach. Where I can take pictures of the women who wear g-string bathing suits with their white socks and reeboks like they are in a cheesy 80s movie, and mock them later with friends. But I was already dressed for the day and didn’t feel like changing clothes (don’t worry, Ill take a photo of the women for you another time).

So, chocolate it is! I perused Pinterest (follow me at AZtrophywife) and decided I had enough of the ingredients needed to create my own version of a chocolate banana muffin. But all good chocolate muffins (and banana ones, for that matter) require chocolate chips. And I didn’t actually have enough chocolate chips to fully make up for all the envelopes of money. But I did have half a bag of butterscotch ones! Success!

So, the recipe as I made it:

Chocolate Butterscotch Banana Muffins

1 egg

¼ cup brown sugar

1/3 cup applesauce (I use cinnamon, because you can never have enough cinnamon)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup mashed bananas (around 3)

1 cup flour

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

¼ cup cocoa powder

chocolate chips

butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 350.

Grease muffin tins. I always use small muffin tins, as I think they are the perfect size for my kid. And it is easier to sneak one when you go into the kitchen pretending you need water. There are some benefits to having a galley kitchen. 🙂

Whisk together the egg, sugar, applesauce, vanilla and bananas. Now, quick note about the bananas. These need to be mashed really well, with no chunks left, otherwise the banana will overpower the rest of the ingredients. And that is not right. They are bananas after all. They shouldn’t be pulling power plays on the chocolate and butterscotch chips. They need to know their place.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and mix until just combined. Dump in as much chocolate and butterscotch chips as you want, and to ensure the bananas are beaten into submission.

Bake in small tin for around 12-13 minutes, or if you are using a regular tin, 20 minutes. Then enjoy warm or cold!