Tropical Banana Bread

A new twist on an old favorite

Hmmm. What to do with those last few bananas in the bunch…you know, the ones that are too ripe for your kids to eat, but not so ripe that they become fruit fly bait. I make banana bread and muffins incessantly, so I was ready to try something new. After some experimenting, I’ve found this tropical version to be one of my favorites.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 2 cups mashed ripe bananas

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. In another bowl, beat the eggs, oil and vanilla; add pineapple and bananas. Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Pour into two greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pans.
2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

(Add a few maraschino cherries or top with coconut flakes if desired.)

Ethereal Mirror

Easy Weeknight Project!
For years we’ve had a $10 over-the-door mirror hanging from our closet door. Over time the plastic frame has yellowed and it was looking pretty pitiful all-around. So you know what that means – time for a MAKEOVER! And gosh, do I love a good makeover.

Mirror Before -- Boring and UGLY

 First I painted the frame green with a basic acrylic craft paint. Then I grabbed my trusty glue gun, told the kiddos to get lost, and attached some artificial greens and flowery garland (cut apart) around the entire frame.

After -- So pretty!

 I love it, though the hubs was less than thrilled with MORE flowers in the boudoir, but hey, that’s what the man cave in the basement is for, right?!

Get Organized! Make Your Own File Boxes

From Photo Shipping Boxes, File Boxes Are Born

It never fails. Every time I walk past the desk in my kitchen I try my hardest to avoid looking at the PILE. It is always there, mocking me… and my lack of organization. School papers, bills, catalogs, coupons…and to make matters worse, each day it grows even bigger! I did move a good chunk of my files up from my basement office to the kitchen desk drawers so that it would be easier for me to sort the mail, but alas, the pile still lives, and thrives.

The other day I ordered some photos from an on-line photo site. Okay, A LOT of photos, and they came in two nicely sized boxes.

These shipping boxes inspired me to create two simple file boxes that I can leave on top of the desk to help eliminate that dreaded pile. With a coat of paint, some ribbon, and some stick-on letters, they turned out rather nice.

It also turns out that my kitchen desk looks so much more organized WITHOUT the unruly stack of papers. Can I get an AMEN?!

10 Must Have Books, According to My 3-Year-Old

With well over 300 children’s books in our home, I’ve noticed that the same books get chosen over and over again when bedtime comes calling. These are the top 10, not by my personal preference, but by what my 8-year-old used to beg for and what the 3-year-old now also requests. It’s amazing how they both seem to be drawn to the same books.

1. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess

This is the first book Darling Daughter #1 learned to actually read (not memorize). Darling Daughter #2 requests this one often now, asking for, “the one with that guy who doesn’t want to eat stuff.” Classic.

2. The Widow’s Broom by Chris Van Allsburg
The author (who also penned Jumanji) creates this slightly eerie, but intriguing tale. I must admit this is also one of my favorites. I was a bit surprised at how much my children enjoy this story, the illustrations are not colorful, but they are enchanting.

3. The Nutshell Library by Maurice Sendak
While this is a pint-sized compendium of four Maurice Sendak favorites is technically a boxed set, I’ll count it as one. One Was Johnny, Pierre, Alligators All Around, and Chicken Soup with Rice have been read so many times we all know them by heart. And the small size means they come with us EVERYWHERE. Church, car trips, gymnastics meets, you name it.

4. We’re Off to Find the Witch’s House by Richard Krieb
With a delightful sing-songy cadence this book is especially fun to read around Halloween, but it is requested at least once a week all year through.

5. Wacky Wednesday by Theo Le Sieg (a.k.a. Dr. Suess, whose real name is Theodore Seuss Geisel (Le Seig backward). What kid doesn’t get a kick out of that shoe on the wall?!

6. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Another Maurice Sendak classic, this book far exceeds the movie and will live forever in the hearts of children for generations to come.

7. Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
It may seem cliche, but the nightly ritual of finding that little white mouse is a special memory that my girls and I will always cherish.

8. Treasury of Stories Originally Created by Beatrix Potter
Our large purple tome with guilded-gold page edges is often pulled off the shelf for afternoon reading. You know, when you hear those lovely words, “Mom, can you read me a story?” Gosh, I love that. Potter’s short tales are of the perfect length to tell between snack time and Play-doh.

9. Dora’s Pirate Adventure
I told you, this is my 3-year-old’s list, not mine. I’m including this one grudgingly, but it cannot be ignored. I am not usually a fan of these television inspired stories, but for some reason this one really resonates with the kids. There must be more than two rolls of scotch tape holding our copy together.

10. The Lost Ears by Phillida Gili
An odd little story about a tiny teddy who loses his ears gets the sympathy of my girls every time.

I am of the mind to think that it doesn’t really matter what you are reading your kids, as long as you are reading. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s important for their future education, but equally as important is the time you are spending with their undivided attention. It’s a chance to sit them on your lap or cuddle close and share the magic of imagination. Happy reading!

Nostalgic Lemon Bars

Just like Auntie used to make... 

My great Aunt Mary was a marvelous woman. She never married so she always had time for her favorite niece (my mother) and her favorite niece’s children (that would be my sisters and me!). I have so many wonderful memories of Aunt Mary – sleepovers at her house, the kitchen cupboard of toys at the ready for when we came to visit, her endless humorous quips and words of profound wisdom.

Aunt Mary herself would not claim to be the best of cooks (or a great singer, or seamstress, or gardener -- my was she modest!), but there are a few recipes handed down to her that would melt in our mouths. Even the faintest whiff of her savory pot roast, her unique sausage stuffing, or her sweetly simple lemon bars would bring an instant smile to our faces as we crossed the threshold of her century-old home (no joke, there was still a post out front to tie your horse).

The lemon bars in particular speak to me today because I can make them for any occasion, even just for a treat for the kids after school. I’ve tinkered with the idea of getting “cute” with this recipe, but since Aunt Mary’s passing last May, at 99 years young, I think I ought to leave it just as it is. They are perfectly down to earth and quick to make me smile – just like Auntie.

Aunt Mary’s Lemon Bars

1^st layer:
2 cups flour
½ cup powdered sugar
1 cup softened butter (I microwave 2 sticks for 1 minute at 30% power)

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream 1^st layer ingredients together and press into a 9x13” pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes. (Do not overcook!)

2^nd layer:

4 eggs
4 TBSP lemon juice (or the juice of 2 lemons)
2 cups sugar
4 TBSP flour
½ tsp. salt

Beat ingredients for 2^nd layer. Pour over crust and bake 25 minute longer. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar while still warm. Allow pan to cool before cutting. Makes 12 large square bars or 24 smaller rectangles (I cut them smaller.)

5 Best Uses For Canning Jars

5 Best Uses for Canning Jars

(Ah, hem…Besides, Canning!)

1. VASE! I love putting flowers in canning jars. Set three in a row on a window sill, or tie some twine around the mouth and hang them from anywhere you please.
2. Containers for long-handled implements – kitchen utensils, make-up brushes, paint-brushes, etc.
3. Coin keepers. Decorate three same-sized jars, marking one “Save,” one “Spend” and one “Share”
4. Keep track of “Pounds to Go” and “Pounds Lost” with corresponding marbles in each of two jars.
5. Drink glasses! Nothing has more down-home charm than a canning jar filled with icy-cold lemonade on a hot summer day.
6. Present someone with a layered dry-ingredient recipe jar. Like this one:

Brownies in a Jar

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

 Directions

1.      Pour sugar into a clean, dry one quart jar.

2.      Add cocoa powder and press down firmly and evenly. Pour in chopped pecans, evenly layer in the jar. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Pour into jar and seal.

3.      Attach the following directions to the jar: Empty mix into large bowl. Use your hands to mix thoroughly. Add 3/4 cup of butter or margarine and 4 slightly beaten eggs. Mix until completely blended. Spread batter into a lightly greased or sprayed 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 30 minutes or until done. Cool in pan. Cut into 2 inch squares.

I’m always looking for clever uses for canning jars. How do you use them?

Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

You’re leaving the mall and a glorious aroma drifts your way… was it cheese? Garlic? Homemade bread? Yes, yes, yes! You were going to have leftovers for dinner, but now you're at Red Lobster instead... all because of those tempting little biscuits. I adore these biscuits, and they are not difficult to make.

Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

You’ll need:

2 cups baking mix
½ cup cold milk (you can use water, but milk makes ‘em fluffier!)
¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¼ cup butter
1 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon minced garlic
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 450
2. Combine baking mix, milk and cheese in a bowl. Do not over mix.
3. Roll out on a lightly floured surface, until 1 inch thick
4. Cut 10 biscuits (I use a water glass) and place on an ungreased cookie sheet
5. Melt butter and spices together.
6. Brush the biscuits with the butter and bake for about 10 minutes
7. Use any remaining butter to give them another brushing when they are done baking.

Serve warm. We love these with seafood, but they work with just about any dish.

Boot Bench

So there has been this cabinet sitting in the corner of my mud room for at least a year. At one point I had intentions of hanging it in the garage, but it gathered some miscellaneous items and there it sat... for a long time. I was about to throw it out and had an epiphany...I could actually make this useful! I removed the door, turned it on it's side, plopped a pillow on top and, VOILA! A boot bench. I love it and it's the perfect spot for the little ones to sit and pull on their boots.

(Pardon the less than stellar photography!)

The Couch is the Enemy - Beat it with My Cleaning Schedule

When lying in bed, right before you fall asleep, do you ever think, "What the heck did I do today?" Man, I hate those nights.

For me, staying busy is the key to happiness. Accomplishing goals is so completely satisfying that it is what brings me joy. I'm not talking about huge goals, but if you wake in the morning thinking that you really want to read your child a story or finish a 1/2 completed craft project and then you FAIL to do these things, it's a major bummer when you realize your missed opportunities at the end of the day.

Mark my words, the couch is the enemy. Our days are filled with distractions -- T.V. shows, random Internet searches that lead us into an abyss of endless ads, news stories, emails, and so forth, the magazine left open on the coffee table -- they all lead us to one place -- the couch. I KNOW!

Here's how to win your battle with that comfy couch calling your name. Have a plan! Your best weapon? The list. I have lists for everything. Chores, shopping, recipes I want to bake, crafts I'd like to make, books to read, and so on, and so on, and, well, you get the point.

My favorite list is more like a schedule. It's my cleaning list, and it's my savior. My house is not spotless, not even close, actually, but by following this short little list I am not completely horrified when a neighbor "pops over" to deliver a mis-directed piece of mail. I try to get my daily chore done before 10:00 a.m. so I have the rest of the day to spend doing fun stuff.

Here it is:

• Monday: Dust & wipe down and water plants
• Tuesday: Floors – Vacuum & wash
• Wednesday: Bathrooms
• Thursday: Wipe down appliances, clean mirrors, spot clean fingerprints & doggie nose prints on windows
• Friday: Laundry
• Saturday: Wild card! I pick a project like cleaning out the fridge, wiping down blinds, organizing the pantry, or switching out seasonal clothes.
• Sunday: This is my baking day. So my cleaning is of the kitchen mess I’ve made.

There are moments to relax: cuddling with your kids before going down to sleep, thumbing through a celeb magazine while sipping afternoon tea, enjoying a glass of ice cold lemonade under a warm summer sun. But these moments are so much more amazing when sandwiched between productive hours. You know it's true, so tell that couch it will just have to wait!