Seckel pear muffins, my Sugar Maple

These muffins are lovely: whole grain but light as can be, lightly scented with cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg, studded with finely chopped pears. I used the same recipe as for all my muffins (see Ginger Peach recipe for the one I actually looked at this morning when making these) but instead of the crystallized ginger, peaches and so forth, added 3/4 tsp of both cloves and cinnamon, a 1/4 tsp of ground ginger, and 1/2 tsp of freshly ground nutmeg. I also included 1 c of diced pears and 1/2 c of unsweetened applesauce.

Our Sugar Maple out back has come into its fluorescence. Stunning! It'll only last about a week and the rate of leaf-dropping is positively diarrhetic, but I just love this tree; it's what I see from my kitchen and dining room. It is magnificent, and when its leaves are yellow like this, the whole house lights up.