Family & Warm Banana Bread

Good Morning to all this Sunday morning! 

I made one of the family favorite things for this morning's breakfast.  I cherish my family time and sometimes we rush thru our weekend.  By the time Sunday morning comes around, I realize how many things I left to the last minute.  This is usually when I hyperventilate (not really but sorta) and get the Sunday migraine.  (LOL - I actually think my mom would get the Sunday migraine also) 

Sundays can often times become errand day - a bad habit.  So in the spirit of a calm Sunday morning appreciating the family time - I made a loaf of yummy banana bread.  I even went to the extra effort of one loaf with walnuts for Joey and I.  And a 2nd separate loaf with no walnuts for Anthony and Rob/Bob (my husband and yes there is long story why his name is "different").

I share this recipe with you so maybe one morning you can make or even make the night before.  Happy Sunday!

Banana Bread

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup of sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup of mashed very ripe bananas (approx 3 bananas)
1/4 sour cream
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped walnuts (or not)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Generously spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.  If you have problems with burning the bottoms of bread - line baking sheet with parchment paper.  Place loaf pan on baking sheet.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until well blended.  Add eggs, banana, sour cream and vanilla.  Fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt scraping bowl often.  Mix on low speed then fold in walnuts.(or not)

Spoon batter into prepared pan.  Bake until bread springs back with gently pressed with fingertips, 50 to 55 minutes.  It may have a crack in center.  This is fine - no problem.  If bread does not seems done after 55 minutes, reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees and bake 10 to 15 more minutes. 

Cool in pan 20 minutes.  Then turn out and cool on a wire rack.

The Silence of Friendship

“True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable.” - David Tyson Gentry

I have been reminded of this quote two times this week.  One time - it was a quote from a friend's Facebook page.  The second time - on the dry erase board at Joey's swim team practice.  When I saw the quote at swim practice - an unlikely place - it struck me.  How many times do we read a quote from someone and we say to ourselves - "Wow, this is so true!"  This quote on friendship is so true. 

I have to say - honestly - I did not learn this lesson of friendship until much later in life.  I can now feel comfortable in my friendships to let things move however they need to move.  But in my grade school days, high school days and even college days - I am sure I was unsettled at times with my friendships.  This is of course is how a young female matures into the wife, mother, coworker and true friend.  I love seeing my two sons develop their friendships and wonder how they will move thru life together. 

I am truly thankful for my friends and everything I have learned or will learn from them.  Take time to thank the friends in your lives but know that “True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable.”

Take care - my friends...

I'm back...

Hello again - Sorry for my absence.  I have been working thru the new school and work routine the past one and 1/2 weeks.  WHEW!  I think we are all adjusted and ready for the fall.
I hope all is well with you and I promise to post regularly.  I do find the short blog posting process to be cathartic. 

Hope you have a nice weekend!  Take care and we will talk soon.

F.I.S.H. Philosophy

Today at work we had our annual fish fry at work where both offices get together to relax and catch-up.  I was reminded of the F.I.S.H. philosophy our firm goes by.  The F.I.S.H. philosophy is a workplace management system developed by John Christensen.

Four Key Concepts:

Play
Work Hard
Be There or Be Present for Co-Workers (Give full attention to task or individual)
Choose Your Attitude

These four items can easily get lost in the work day.  Although the concepts were "born" from Seattle's Pike Place Market and the employees at the fish market - the concepts are basic and applicable everyday with all facets of my life.

So - I pass this F.I.S.H. philosophy on to you today even if all I do is make you think abit differently or from a different perspective.

When restless...I bake.

I have so many things to do tonight for work, home, kids, etc,  But - I want to take a baked treat into the office tomorrow.  I try to this every once in awhile.  I truly enjoy doing this for my office - a simple thank you and acknowledgement that my co-employees are appreciated.  Added benefits for me (1) have a perfect way to try a new recipe and get feedback.  (2) I can have a few of the treats I make and not feel guilty.  If I was to eat all of what I make - YIKES!  I have a friend - yes you Elizabeth - who is making cookies for her office tomorrow and this inspire me to whip up something quick. 

Pineapple Dream Bars (From 101 More Things to Do With a Cake Mix book)

Bars:
1 White or Yellow Cake Mix
1/2 Cup Butter or Margarine, Melted
1 Egg

Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 Tbs Sugar
2 Tbs Milk
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 Egg
1 Can (8 ounces) Crushed Pineapple
1 -1 1/2 Cup Coconut

Glaze:
3/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
1/4 Tsp Vanilla
3 - 4 Tsp Milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  With a spoon, mix cake batter, butter and egg together.  Press into lightly greased 9 x 13 inch pan.

Beat cream cheese, sugar, milk, vanilla and egg together in a separate bowl until smooth.  Stir in well-drained pineapple.  Spread evenly over dough.  Sprinkle coconut over top.  Bake 25 - 30 minutes or until coconut is light golden brown.  Cool completely. 

Mix powdered sugar, vanilla and milk together in a small bowl.  Drizzle glaze evenly over cooled dessert.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and cut into bars.  Store in refrigerator.

Oh It's Friday Night...

Congratulations to all - another Friday night.  In my opinion - Friday night is the absolute best time of the week.  Tonight - here in Canton Ohio - our Friday night has been made a bit nicer due to the phenomenal weather.  There is something about working hard all week - in whatever you do - hitting 5 pm (or when the school bus drops the kids) and taking a big deep relaxing breath.  Friday nights for me usually means taking in easy.  Even if there is something on the calendar it is typically something fun and light. 
The kids head back to school on Monday - I look forward to the routine.  I will try hard to pack as much into this weekend as I can.  So to this - I will make the most of my loved and cherished Friday night - tonight.  Have a wonderful weekend! 

Cowboy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Courtesy of Former First Lady Laura Bush - These are one of my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes.  Different than the normal Tollhouse recipe and you can mix it up a bit with deifferent add-ins.  Enjoy!  By the way - you can definately stick with the Tollhouse recipe if you have these ingredients. 

Ingredients


3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon. baking powder
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups sweetened flake coconut
2 cups chopped pecans (8 ounces)

Directions
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Bake Time: 17 to 20 minutes
Yield: About 3 dozen cookies (see note below)

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl.
3. In 8-quart bowl, beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1 minute. Gradually beat in sugars; beat to combine, 2 minutes.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Beat in vanilla.
5. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut and pecans.
6. For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart.
7. Bake in 350 F oven 17 to 29 minutes, until edges are lightly browned; rotate sheets halfway through. Remove cookies from rack to cool.

Note: For 6 dozen small cookies, use 2 tablespoons dough for each. Bake at 350 F for 15 to 18 minutes.