Banana Bread

 

Who would have ever known that you can make a wonderful loaf of Banana Bread from yucky bananas. The recipe I use is from the Better Homes and Gardens new Cook Book. I visited there website here and found really helpful hints. I was going to add my recipe, but you will see at the website there are many many varieties to this simple and sweet bread. 

 I've tried to make this bread in my bread machine but it was not good. It is worth making this with out your machine.

This time I had substituted almonds for walnuts and it was very good. If you can always wrap your cool banana bread and serve the next day when the flavors have had time to meld beautifully.

Banana Bread with walnuts

Church Doors

Beautiful Red Doors of a Presbyterian Church.

Many of these churches are about 100 years old.  I wonder about their faith and excitement in building a place to worship. I'm sure they assumed it would still be standing today. That's not a concept our generation thinks about much.... things lasting.

Popcorn

With the age of microwaves I didn't know how to make popcorn for a long time until my husband showed me. It is ridiculously simple and yet it can burn easily. LOL,,, but don't be discouraged, it's not hard.

First I start with 2 T. (tablespoons) of cooking oil. I do not use a pan with a copper bottom because it heats slowly and I always end up cooking it too long in that pan and then some of it burns. I would suggest using a "cheaper pan" and please let me suggest to use the same pan always b/c you'll get to know how it cooks time wise in that pan. If you make it regularly you will perfect it in that one pan, but if you use different pans you need again to watch and listen carefully.

I use 1/4 c of popping kernels, so it's double of how much oil you use. (I've tried to use butter but it usually burns).
Pretty simple right.
Cover pan.
Heat on medium.
Shake pan about every minute until you hear the 1st kernel pop. Then shake every 20 - 30 seconds after that 1st piece pops. Don't peek because you could get burned.
At some point it will slow down. Watch for the next stage when it is only popping about every 3 or more seconds. It's done by then. Don't try to pop every piece.

Dump in a big bowl and add your favorite topping or eat it as is :) If you are daring, try ScooterMcGee's Kettle Corn. If you love Roba's Kettle Corn, you may want to try and make some. Or are you they type of person who only likes kettle corn in the autumn with your candy apples and pumpkin pie?

Happy Valentines Day

For Valentines Day this year my daughter and I made mini buntings out of scrapbook paper and cotton yarn.  We nipped the corners off after we folded them. I glued them with a hot glue gun for a fast assembly.

Our cut triangles are about 3" from top to bottom.

Lizzy made a 8" X 10" of this kitty and wanted to scan it and make it into a Valentine wish this year. She is becoming quite creative on her own :)

Church Doors

 Can you tell this is Greek Orthodox Catholic. The doors are stunning as is the church itself. I've never been inside of this church. My oldest daughter had a project of driving all around the local towns to take pictures of the doors of churches.

Church Doors

The Gorgeous Doors of a local Lutheran Church.

Soap

With many of my family having perfume allergies I never saw more use for pretty soaps except to display them and treasure them always. But as you can see the jar is half full because our littlest loves to use them. You never know what your children will love. I am grateful to have the soap from a dear friend. She is helping to make memories.

Real Tacos

Remembering my garden, I came across a picture of one of our dinners. Simply tacos.... maybe not "real" it was not from scratch, but it had garden tomatoes in it, yum. I have been hungry for a real tomato and also have been trying to push healthier snacks on my family. We grew yellow, pink, and red tomatoes. Every meal looked delicious with them in it!

Roma Tomato
Cherry Yellow Tomato
Yellow Cherry Tomato
German Pink Tomato

The roma tomatoes keep coming back every year. I do not have to buy them. Last year was my first year buying yellow and I do hope the cherry yellow comes back, otherwise I will be looking for them at Home Depot again.
The German Pink I received from a friend. I can't say enough how nice it was to receive that tomato plant. If I have extra I will do the same for her and other garden friends.

Calendar

I love new ideas and sometimes you make something with very little money. But... sometimes it just doesn't work.

The reason this doesn't work is because I never found a "pen" that writes nicely and erases nicely on glass.

 I'm sharing this because for the love of sharing sometimes you will come up with a better idea, like one that will work and I'll see it :)

Pets

I had wondered how Molli would be after we lost our dog. For a few weeks she would come into the dining room and meow loudly. Naturally we gave Molli alot of attention and she adjusted quite fine. I would dare say that she has become the queen of the house.

She has truly taken over :)