Christmas Banana Bread

When I was 18, I dated a guy, Brandon, who had a wonderful grandmother, Donna. We were together for a little over two years, and one Christmas, she presented me with a recipe binder filled with her and her family's favorite recipes. There were probably 100+ recipes, handwritten, in this thing. It is by far one of the most sincere and generous gifts I have ever received. The amount of time this lady spent putting it together in itself means alot.

I'll admit, I haven't tried every recipe yet, and I've had the binder for 7 years now. But, the ones I have tried, I have loved, and this is one of them. Because it's Christmas, y'all, and it's widely known that Christmas isn't Christmas without baking.

May I present to you, Christmas Banana Bread. Happy baking! and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Banana Bread

1/2 c. softened butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 1/4 c. mashed ripe bananas (approx. 3 medium bananas)
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (I prefer no nuts in mine)
1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips (I always use upwards of 1 cup...more chocolate please!)
1/4 c. chopped maraschino cherries (not too finely chopped)

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, beating well. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Beat in bananas. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 70-80 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan before removing from pan to further cool on wire rack. Yields one loaf.

Scrangie: October is Depression Awareness Month

Please check out this blog post. It's very important to me, and her nail polish reviews are great too. Thanks!

Scrangie: October is Depression Awareness Month

Change of tack

I started this blog about 4 years ago. My original thought was to have this as a fashion commentary and a bit of thoughtful rambling. I think I posted once. Then I picked it back up a few months ago and posted a couple of times, primarily about my current crocheting project. I'm changing direction again. I think I will still post about WIPs, and for the most part, tell some stories and ramble. Because in normal conversation, I ramble on and skitter off onto many rabbit trails. So why not do the same here?

Finished!!

Amazingly enough, I finished it! Here's my little munchkin modeling her new dress. It is a bit big for her yet, so maybe by the fall she can wear it. I didn't do sleeves on it, as I just could not figure out what to do. So, it can be worn alone, or maybe with a little long sleeve shirt underneath and tights. I finally finished something! Now off to the ten thousand other projects...

I am really hung up on the sleeves on this dress. I must be really stupid or something because I just can't figure out the sleeves from the pattern. I think I will ened up creating my own sleeves for it. I have GOT to finish this, and this sleeves thing is driving me bonkers!! Anybody have any suggestions??

I am quite irritated at this man of mine. 'Nuff said.

I am working on a beautiful new dress for my daughter, Angela. I am crocheting it in Bernat Jacquards Sport weight in Berries & Cream. You can see the pattern on Ravelry here
When I get it completed I will post a picture. I just have 6 more rounds to do I think.

Prairie Thistle Giveaway

Beautiful Madonna and Child Reliquary giveaway http://gardenology.blogspot.com/2010/02/400th-blog-madonna-and-child-reliquary.html



Her work is amazingly beautiful and thought-provoking. Very meaningful in many ways as well. Check it out!