Good morning!

I absolutely adore mornings. Most days I spend a bit of time at Cheesman Park.  I love observing squirrels clamoring over fallen acorns, listening to the harmony of strangers' shoes crunching on the crushed-granite pathways, and feeling the sun's gentle warmth on my skin. One can even see the Rocky Mountains on the east side of the park. This is my favorite place to stop and welcome the day.  

This memorial, made in 1976, honors the panorama view of the
Rocky Mountains that can be seen from this spot.
I have observed the snow caps melt away completely as June
 progressed to September. Perhaps this winter, snow will return
to the mountains preceding accumulation in Denver. 

View of the skyline from the pavilion.
Cheesman Park is just east of Denver's downtown district.
Some say this lush green space was once a graveyard and that
nearly 2000 bodies still lie beneath the surface!

Denver's "temple of the sun," built in 1907.
This Cheesman pavilion was constructed out of white,
Colorado marble, inspired by the Acropolis in Athens.

Another great way to honor the morning is to make a tasty breakfast! Try these muffins while local berries are in still season, or if you can't make it to the farmer's market this weekend, substitute with frozen varieties.  Berry suggestions: saskatoons (pigeon berries), mulberries, raspberries, blueberries, wineberries, blackberries, marionberries.

"Good morning!" muffins.

I used blueberries for my batch.
Serve with butter, warm honey and a hot cup of coffee or tea.

Good Morning Muffins

Adapted from Simply in Season Cookbook

Yields 1 dozen

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon (optional)

1 egg

1 cup milk

1/4 cup extra-light olive oil

1/4 cup raw honey

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen berries  (you can also substitute with shredded, summer squash)!

Combine flour, germ, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, combine egg, milk, oil, and honey and mix well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, stirring just until moistened. Fold in the berries of choice!  Fill well greased muffin tins 2/3 full and sprint the top with cinnamon sugar or plain granulated sugar (optional). Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy warm! 

Note: These muffins freeze well, allowing for the opportunity to make them ahead of time. Just take out the night before to thaw.