Archive for January 2015

Umarex Surge Combo Single-Shot 0.177-Caliber Air Rifle

January 1, 2015 Hunting Equipment No comments

Bought this from Amazon for a little over $100 as a starter rifle for my son, who is now showing an interest in hunting. We took it out today and shot at some targets that I stapled to a scrap piece of 1/2 in OSB board.

The first couple of shots were loud and sounded like a .22. Fortunately by the 10th round or so the gun quieted down a bunch. The power of this rifle surprised me as it easily went through the OSB board at 50 feet and you could see wood fragmenting into the air. The feel and weight of this rifle feels like your holding a .22 and has a sleek design to it. The scope took some time to get zeroed in. Overall I think it will be a great first rifle for my son before I upgrade him to a .22 or shotgun.

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2015

Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins

January 1, 2015 Dessert Recipes, Recipe's No comments

Muffins

1 15 oz can pumpkin
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 (200g) cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

FILLING:

8 ounces (200g) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 large egg yolk
5 tablespoons (75g) sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F (180C)

Mix canned pumpkin, oil, and sugar together, either by hand or with a mixer on low.

Add in eggs, one at a time, combining thoroughly after each.

Add vanilla.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.

Slowly add flour mixture to liquids, combining thoroughly and scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula until well combined.

Filling:

Mix together cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla until well combined.

Assembly:

Grease your muffin tins or line with paper cups.

Drop in spoonfuls of pumpkin mixture.

Add smaller spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top.

Swirl with a skewer.

Bake:

Bake as follows, turning the tins half way through baking times:

mini muffins: 20-25 min
standard muffins: 25-30 min
jumbo muffins: 30-40 min

 
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