Banana Bread Bonanza!

This is the very best banana bread recipe I have ever tried.  It is moist from the moment it comes out of the oven!  I am most certain the pudding is the culprit!

The recipe yields two 8x4x2 size loaves.  I bake it in four smaller sized pans.  If you like nuts, be sure to add some as they give it that occasional burst of texture.

Banana Bread

5 eggs

2 C. mashed bananas

1 C. vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla

2-1/2 C. flour

1-1/4 C. sugar

2 packages instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz)

1-1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1C. chopped nuts

Beat eggs, bananas, oil and vanilla.  Stir into dry ingredients until moistened.  Stir in nuts if desired.

Bake in two greased 8x4x2 inch loaf pans for 45-60 minutes at 350*.  Cool for 10 minutes prior to removing from pans.

This recipe merits the use of perfectly good bananas.....meaning, you do not have to wait for your bananas to turn black to try it!  

Bon Appetit!!

Perfect Every Time-Overnight Rolls!

Overnight Rolls


1 Tblsp. yeast
2 Tblsp. warm water
2 C. warm milk
1/2 C. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. salt
6 C. flour
3/4 C. melted butter


Dissolve yeast add milk, sugar, egg, salt and 3C. flour.  Beat in butter and flour.  Do not knead.  Place in greased bowl, cover and place in fridge overnight.  Punch, divide into half, 2 equal portions, and roll each half into a 12 inch circle and cut in 12 pie wedges.  Beginning with the wide end, roll up and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Cover with cloth and let rise for at least one hour.  Bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes. Makes 24 delicious rolls!
Serve warm!

Aussie Bites

These are mini breakfast muffins.  They are sold at Costco foods.  I found this recipe online that claims to be from the source.  I do think they are less dense and  slightly different from the originals.  Nonetheless, they are delicious and perfect for a snack on the go!  I have finals this week and was in need of some easy snacks to keep the body and brain functioning.  I believe I will try a few modifications for the next go round.  Enjoy!

Aussie Bites


2 cups rolled oats
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour ( 1/2 cake flour (3/4c to 1/4 c cornstarch) to 1/2 all purpose)
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups shredded coconut
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup flaxseeds
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
1 cup finely chopped dried fruit (apricots, raisins, dates, figs, cranberries, etc.)
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons hot water
3 eggs, beaten
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F.
Stir dry ingredients together in a bowl.
Melt honey and butter together. Mix baking soda and salt with hot water and add to butter mixture. Stir in vanilla. Combine butter mixture with dry ingredients, add eggs, and mix well.
Use a tablespoon to drop the batter into lined or lightly-greased mini muffin tins. Flatten the tops.
Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350F or until golden. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 5 minutes; finish cooling on wire racks.

Mary, Mary quite contrary

Flowers from my yard!  I love Springtime!  It is a time of new beginnings.  Aren't they breathtaking?  I especially admire the two with orange and yellow incorporated into stripes and designs.
I purchased the home I am living in from an elderly couple who now find themselves in an assisted living home.  Her name is Shirlea and she has a wonderful passion for flowers!  I am anxious to see what is going to make an appearance next!

I do hope I can keep up with everything a resplendent yard such as this demands.

This lovely bouquet adorns my kitchen counter.  The pulchritudinous flowers left on my doorstep (a few posts previous) have fulfilled their purpose and gone the way of all cut flowers.  I am however, recycling the greenery which has a tendency to outlast the more frail flowers.  It makes for a perfect background for the tulips; don't you think?

This single...or rather double...tulip is one of my favorites.  It almost puts a rose to shame!  I love how it has taken what it has and made the most of its exceptional beauty.  I think people are much the same; they can take what they do have and make something extremely lovely!  I appreciate the lovely people in my life.

Sisters are Sweet!

My sister showed up on my doorstep yesterday and presented me with this shawl!  Isn't it gorgeous!  I was with her at the yarn store when she fell in love with this soft yarn.  She told me she would make a shawl for me if I would purchase the yarn!  Who could ask for a better deal than that?!  I am so pleased with how it turned out!  She is quite the knitter!  Not only did she knit one for me, she knitted one for my daughter as well.  I have yet to take a picture of them together but plan on it and will post one as soon as I do.  This picture was taken at my sister's place.  I wore it yesterday and was surprised at how soft and warm it is.

Personality testing!

I am currently taking a Human Development class wherein we are studying life from birth to death.  It has been nothing short of enlightening.  I have enjoyed learning many theories and results of cross-sectional research.  During one lecture, we discussed the differences of personality versus temperament.  Scientists have determined that personality is a product of nature.

My professor challenged us to take a personality test online.  In the past, I have attempted a few such personality tests.  In all I have tried, I have not EVER fit into any one category.  For instance, the color personality test, showed that I was fairly equal in blue, yellow, and white.  The only color I did not score equally in was red; I have very little 'red' in me.

I found a personality test online that revealed so much about me; it was scary!  I have never been 'pegged' so well.  Here is the link to the test.  http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp  They sometimes use this test in middle schools to help a student determine what types of careers they may be best suited for.

I am what is referred to as an INFJ or "counselor".  

Here is what a couple of sites said about my personality and I am astounded....I definitely do not expect you to read through my personality traits; I wanted a safe place to keep them for future reference.  If you feel so inclined, however, click on the link and take the test for yourself to see if this test; that was actually implemented around WWII can 'peg' you as it has me.  Good luck and prepare to be amazed!  One more note, do pay attention to the numbers associated with your letters as that can reveal a fair bit as well.

Counselors have an exceptionally strong desire to contribute to the welfare of others, and find great personal fulfillment interacting with people, nurturing their personal development, guiding them to realize their human potential. Although they are happy working at jobs (such as writing) that require solitude and close attention, Counselors do quite well with individuals or groups of people, provided that the personal interactions are not superficial, and that they find some quiet, private time every now and then to recharge their batteries. Counselors are both kind and positive in their handling of others; they are great listeners and seem naturally interested in helping people with their personal problems. Not usually visible leaders, Counselors prefer to work intensely with those close to them, especially on a one-to-one basis, quietly exerting their influence behind the scenes.
Counselors are scarce, little more than three percent of the population, and can be hard to get to know, since they tend not to share their innermost thoughts or their powerful emotional reactions except with their loved ones. They are highly private people, with an unusually rich, complicated inner life. Friends or colleagues who have known them for years may find sides emerging which come as a surprise. Not that Counselors are flighty or scattered; they value their integrity a great deal, but they have mysterious, intricately woven personalities which sometimes puzzle even them.
Counselors tend to work effectively in organizations. They value staff harmony and make every effort to help an organization run smoothly and pleasantly. They understand and use human systems creatively, and are good at consulting and cooperating with others. As employees or employers, Counselors are concerned with people's feelings and are able to act as a barometer of the feelings within the organization.
Blessed with vivid imaginations, Counselors are often seen as the most poetical of all the types, and in fact they use a lot of poetic imagery in their everyday language. Their great talent for language-both written and spoken-is usually directed toward communicating with people in a personalized way. Counselors are highly intuitive and can recognize another's emotions or intentions - good or evil - even before that person is aware of them. Counselors themselves can seldom tell how they came to read others' feelings so keenly. This extreme sensitivity to others could very well be the basis of the Counselor's remarkable ability to experience a whole array of psychic phenomena.


INFJs are distinguished by both their complexity of character and the unusual range and depth of their talents. Strongly humanitarian in outlook, INFJs tend to be idealists, and because of their J preference for closure and completion, they are generally "doers" as well as dreamers. This rare combination of vision and practicality often results in INFJs taking a disproportionate amount of responsibility in the various causes to which so many of them seem to be drawn.
INFJs are deeply concerned about their relations with individuals as well as the state of humanity at large. They are, in fact, sometimes mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so genuinely interested in people -- a product of the Feeling function they most readily show to the world. On the contrary, INFJs are true introverts, who can only be emotionally intimate and fulfilled with a chosen few from among their long-term friends, family, or obvious "soul mates." While instinctively courting the personal and organizational demands continually made upon them by others, at intervals INFJs will suddenly withdraw into themselves, sometimes shutting out even their intimates. This apparent paradox is a necessary escape valve for them, providing both time to rebuild their depleted resources and a filter to prevent the emotional overload to which they are so susceptible as inherent "givers." As a pattern of behavior, it is perhaps the most confusing aspect of the enigmatic INFJ character to outsiders, and hence the most often misunderstood -- particularly by those who have little experience with this rare type.
Due in part to the unique perspective produced by this alternation between detachment and involvement in the lives of the people around them, INFJs may well have the clearest insights of all the types into the motivations of others, for good and for evil. The most important contributing factor to this uncanny gift, however, are the empathic abilities often found in Fs, which seem to be especially heightened in the INFJ type (possibly by the dominance of the introverted N function).
This empathy can serve as a classic example of the two-edged nature of certain INFJ talents, as it can be strong enough to cause discomfort or pain in negative or stressful situations. More explicit inner conflicts are also not uncommon in INFJs; it is possible to speculate that the causes for some of these may lie in the specific combinations of preferences which define this complex type. For instance, there can sometimes be a "tug-of-war" between NF vision and idealism and the J practicality that urges compromise for the sake of achieving the highest priority goals. And the I and J combination, while perhaps enhancing self-awareness, may make it difficult for INFJs to articulate their deepest and most convoluted feelings.
Usually self-expression comes more easily to INFJs on paper, as they tend to have strong writing skills. Since in addition they often possess a strong personal charisma, INFJs are generally well-suited to the "inspirational" professions such as teaching (especially in higher education) and religious leadership. Psychology and counseling are other obvious choices, but overall, INFJs can be exceptionally difficult to pigeonhole by their career paths. Perhaps the best example of this occurs in the technical fields. Many INFJs perceive themselves at a disadvantage when dealing with the mystique and formality of "hard logic", and in academic terms this may cause a tendency to gravitate towards the liberal arts rather than the sciences. However, the significant minority of INFJs who do pursue studies and careers in the latter areas tend to be as successful as their T counterparts, as it is *iNtuition* -- the dominant function for the INFJ type -- which governs the ability to understand abstract theory and implement it creatively.
In their own way, INFJs are just as much "systems builders" as are INTJs; the difference lies in that most INFJ "systems" are founded on human beings and human values, rather than information and technology. Their systems may for these reasons be conceptually "blurrier" than analogous NT ones, harder to measure in strict numerical terms, and easier to take for granted -- yet it is these same underlying reasons which make the resulting contributions to society so vital and profound.

Homemade Laundry Soap

My Mother discovered the recipe for this homemade laundry soap.  I am excited to begin using it to see if it holds up to the claim of being capable of getting out tough grass and oil stains.  I love the idea of making this and having jars of it on hand.  It is supposed to have a longer shelf life than regular detergent.  The cost is the best part!  It costs less than five dollars per batch which yields 12 quart jars.  When you are ready to use it, you pour it in your laundry soap container, add two quart jars of water, and shake it up.  It can be used in high efficiency machines as well!

Coarsely grate two bars of Fels-Naptha soap into a 12 quart plastic dishpan, and then add 4 quarts of boiling water.  Stir until soap is dissolved.

Add 5 quarts hot water and stir in 2 cups of Borax and 2 cups of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda.

Once dissolved, add hot water to the dishpan up to a few inches from the top, stir and let sit overnight or 48 hours.

After the mixture has gelled, chop it into pieces with metal spoon; fill a mixing bowl with pieces of it and mix with a hand mixer until it reaches the consistency of mashed potatoes.  Repeat with remaining gel.

Disperse the blended mixture evenly among 12 quart canning jars.  Top off the jars with a little water, cover, shake and store.  This is the concentrated form of the soap.

To use it, mix one quart with two quarts of water and shake well.  Measure it with the same cup on your regular detergent and use slightly less for HE machines.

Stopped me in my tracks

I discovered these on my front porch shortly following the purchase of my 'new' home.  I had no idea flowers could mean so much.  Previously, I have considered it a bit of a waste of money to purchase flowers when there are so many other tangible ways the money could be spent;  I have changed my opinion on the matter.  This astounding bouquet has served its purpose well.  Every single time I have entered my kitchen, it has been there to greet me with unequaled beauty and fragrance divine!
These flowers have created such a nice distraction as the moving process has become rather messy and unorganized. 

Denim/Levi/Jean quilting!

I only have four children.  I have been working on denim quilts for each one of them for...hmmm...let me see...their entire lives!  My oldest is 21 in case you didn't know!  Yes, I am excruciatingly slow when it comes to sewing.  Here is a picture of the almost finished one for my third boy.  He is so excited (that may sound strange for a 15 year old kid, but he has been waiting for his for a really long time). 

The adventure began when I was in my early 20's.  I cut very small squares from the worn out levi's we had on hand.  It took a good eight years to finish that one.  It turned out to be a tad larger than a king size.  We use it for picnics and firework shows.  I then made one out of all pockets for my second boy.  He loved the pockets and used them to stash his treasures.  By this time, I was a bit more experienced and I learned that if I cut long strips of the denim leg, I could save some time.  I made one with varying widths and long lengths of denim cut and sewn together for my oldest boy.  Currently, I am working on the one pictured.  I have it laid out on the floor to cut and pin the backing on and decided to snap a photo.  It is a combination pocket/long strip quilt.  I am now down to making one more for my daughter, yippee!  Keep watching for ten more years and you may see the outcome! 

Mint Brownies!

Top of the afternoon to ye and happy shamrock searching!  May ye find a leprechaun with a pot of gold!  At the very least, I do hope you wore green and avoided being pinched!   

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

Dense, rich, moist, and minty brownies

Beat 3 eggs until fluffy.  Add 1 & 1/2 cups sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Beat.  Add 3/4 cups melted butter and 3 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted.  Beat.  Add 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 cup walnuts.  Beat until smooth. Pour into a greased and floured 9X13 pan.  Bake at 350* for 20 minutes.  Cool.

Combine 1/4 cup softened butter with 2 cups powdered sugar.  Beat well while adding milk until thick.  Add green food coloring and 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract.  Frost.  Chill for one hour.

Melt 1 package of semi sweet chocolate chips with 1/2 cup butter in double boiler until smooth.  Pour over top of mint filling.  Chill well before cutting. 

P.S.  I doubled the middle "frosting" layer seeing how that is my favorite part!  If you follow the recipe above, your middle layer will be half as thick.  Happy baking!

Salsa!

Made some salsa tonight.  Loved it and thought I would share what I did, more for my reference when I want some again and can't remember what I did the last time.  Yes, I have had to refer to my own blog for my own recipe.  I have even misplaced recipes and have been glad I posted them on here!

In a food processor, combine about 1C. chopped cilantro, 1 small onion, 1 small garlic clove, 3 tsp. lime juice, 1 anaheim pepper, 1 small orange and 1 small yellow pepper (sorry folks, don't know the proper names of these little guys).  Add a dash of salt, sugar and cumin.  Three cans of stewed tomatoes with green chilies in them.  Pulse.  Vary in many different ways according to your tastes.
Fresh salsa is so good (almost as good as the dance)!  I like doing it this way because you don't have to use fresh tomatoes which aren't always the best in the off season.

GOODNESS!!

I have previously posted an ultimate cinnamon roll recipe, and those are delicious.  However, the dough is a tad finicky and they do not cook in the middle if you cut them larger than an inch.  Today, I tried Pioneer Woman's recipe for maple frosted cinnamon rolls.  They are almost unbelievable!!  I made them extra large and they are perfectly cooked all the way through.  The only adjustment I made in the recipe is in the frosting; it calls for 1/4 c. coffee and seeing how I am not a coffee drinker, I substituted freshly brewed Pero.  This recipe takes some time but is not all consuming and fairly easy.  Try some today, or tomorrow, or next week, but you've gotta try them at least once in your lifetime! 

This is a picture right out of the oven!

Maple frosted cinnamon rolls.

1 quart Whole Milk
1 cup Vegetable Oil
1 cup Sugar
2 packages Active Dry Yeast, 0.25 Ounce Packets
8 cups (Plus 1 Cup Extra, Separated) All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon (heaping) Baking Powder
1 teaspoon (scant) Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon (heaping) Salt
Plenty Of Melted Butter
2 cups Sugar
Generous Sprinkling Of Cinnamon
_____
MAPLE FROSTING:
1 bag Powdered Sugar
2 teaspoons Maple Flavoring
1/2 cup Milk
1/4 cup Melted Butter
1/4 cup Brewed Coffee
1/8 teaspoon Salt


Preparation Instructions
For the dough, heat the milk, vegetable oil, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat to just below a boil. Set aside and cool to warm. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit on the milk for 1 minute.
Add 8 cups of the flour. Stir until just combined, then cover with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside in a relatively warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove the towel and add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the remaining 1 cup flour. Stir thoroughly to combine. Use the dough right away, or place in a mixing bowl and refrigerate for up to 3 days, punching down the dough if it rises to the top of the bowl. (Note: dough is easier to work with if it’s been chilled for at least an hour or so beforehand.)
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
To assemble the rolls, remove half the dough from the pan/bowl. On a floured baking surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 30 x 10 inches. The dough should be rolled very thin.
To make the filling, pour 3/4 cup to 1 cup of the melted butter over the surface of the dough. Use your fingers to spread the butter evenly. Generously sprinkle half of the ground cinnamon and 1 cup of the sugar over the butter. Don’t be afraid to drizzle on more butter or more sugar! Gooey is the goal.
Now, beginning at the end farthest from you, roll the rectangle tightly towards you. Use both hands and work slowly, being careful to keep the roll tight. Don’t worry if the filling oozes as you work; that just means the rolls are going to be divine. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face down. When you’re finished, you’ll wind up with one long buttery, cinnamony, sugary, gooey log.
Slip a cutting board underneath the roll and with a sharp knife, make 1/2-inch slices. One “log “will produce 20 to 25 rolls. Pour a couple of teaspoons of melted butter into disposable foil cake pans and swirl to coat. Place the sliced rolls in the pans, being careful not to overcrowd. (Each pan will hold 7 to 9 rolls.)
Repeat the rolling/sugar/butter process with the other half of the dough and more pans. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cover all the pans with a kitchen towel and set aside to rise on the countertop for at least 20 minutes before baking. Remove the towel and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden brown. Don’t allow the rolls to become overly brown.

Here is a picture of them drowning in the heavenly frosting!

Irish Oatmeal!

Well, truthfully, this is not an Irish Oatmeal recipe.  However, I do love steel cut oats!  I used to volunteer at a wood shop and we made spurdles there.   A spurdle is a Scottish porridge stirring stick.  It is supposed to keep the oats from breaking up too much.  I have heard that they actually do work and make really fluffy oats.  I should have made one for myself while I was still hobnobbing with the kind geezers men at the wood shop.  Unfortunately, I did not.  One day, I plan on saving grundles of money to purchase a mini lathe and then I will make myself one!  

The next best thing to steel cut oats is oatmeal cookies!  You can eat them and count it as breakfast too!

Best Oatmeal Cookies

1 & 1/4 C. butter

3/4 C. brown sugar

1/2 C. sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 & 1/2 C. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

3 C. oats

Beat butter and sugars.  Add egg and vanilla.  Add flour, soda and spices.  Blend in oats.  Bake at 375* 10-13 minutes

These are with an added 1 C. raisins, and 1 C. coconut. 

These are with an added 1 C. craisins, 1 C. white chocolate chips, and 1 C. coconut.

Salute to Saint Patrick's Day!

I am unsure why stores seem to want to skip right over St. Patrick's Day and go from Valentine's Day straight to Easter.  I happen to like the day of luck.  Five or six years ago, Hersheys candy made the BEST St. Patrick's Day kisses!  They were creme de menthe flavored.  I fell in love with them and even saved the bag with the recipe for brownie bites on it.  I sent Hersheys an email as well to request they make them again.  The reply I received, told me that they do make them around the holidays, but they don't.  They produce Irish Creme (which by the way are sick! Don't waste your money) and mint truffle.  I guess sometimes, the best things only come around once in a lifetime! 

My daughter made this 'LUCKY' banner.  I think it is so cute and she was so excited to have a decoration for St. Patrick's Day.  It is just paper letters glued on to old pages from a book with some jute string attaching it together.  

May you remember to wear green and snog your sweetie this month!  Did you know that the original color associated with Saint Patrick's Day was blue?  Saint Patrick is said to have used the shamrock to explain the holy trinity to the pagan Irish. 

    

 Here is a picture of a shamrock pillow I made to display this month. 

Re-vamping the kitchen counter.

I have this affinity to old things.  I love primitive, grungy furniture.  Square nails set my heart a flutter.  100 year old pine is close to my soul.  I have been collecting old furniture for about 20 years and have some family pieces in my trove of treasures.  Bead board cupboards and dovetailed edges are top notch in my world.  I have several collections; old crocks, grain scoops, wooden buckets, dough troughs, and pewter.  I recently went to an antique sale and acquired this old cupboard that is perfect for the top of my counter.  It is up for debate as to whether I was born in the wrong century or if I am just fond of the way antiques seem to be reminiscent of bygone days.