September 1, 2010 ~ Emma N Nutt Day

On September 1st 1878 Emma Nutt began her career with The Boston Telephone Dispatch company making her the very first female telephone operator. Job requirements included that an operator look prime and proper and have arms long enough to reach the top of the switchboard. I'm sure it was considered a nice paycheck for a woman back then making $10.00 a month working a 54 hour week.

To start this day out right, how about whipping up a batch of 
"Emma N Nutt Muffins"
* 1 large egg
* 2/3 cup apple juice
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 2 cups all purpose flour
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup chopped nuts
* 1 chopped apple
* cinnamon sugar
In a bowl beat egg and mix together with juice, oil and vanilla. Mix together the flour, sugars, baking powder and salt. Stir into the liquid mixture until flour mixture is moist. Do not over mix, batter will be lumpy. Stir in the nuts and apples. Fill greased muffin tins about 2/3 full and bake at 400 for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Optional - sprinkle sugar, cinnamon, and/or additional chopped nuts on top of muffins before baking.
(note: change the name of this muffin to "Johnny Appleseed's Apple muffins and you can serve them up again on the 26th of this month.)