Banana Bread

Today I'm sharing another one of my go-to baking recipes for banana bread. I actually joined a couple of different ones I tried to get my own recipe that was delicious and, of course, simple.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 1/3 ups mashed overripe bananas

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

(I didn't this time, but I have added a bag of chocolate chips before for an added treat!)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease 9x5 loaf pan.

In bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. In separate bowl mix butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture and mix just to moisten. Pour batter into loaf pan and make for 60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from centre. Let bread cool for 10 minutes in pan.

Clothespin Magnets

This project came to be when I found some super cute clothespins at Michaels for $1. I didn't need them for their normal use - hanging clothes on a clothesline - but I could see using them as magnets on the fridge.

The search for magnets was on. I looked at Michaels and found some magnet strips for $6 which seemed a little on the expensive side. At the dollar store I found two options but both were too big to fit on the clothespins. Finally at Wal Mart I found similar strips to the ones at Michaels for $4 so I got those.

I cut the strips in half and then trimmed them from the end so they would fit on them magnets. Then I pulled off the backing and stuck them on. I only had 4 clothespins so I only needed 2 of the strips.

And presto! 4 clothespin magnets!

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

This long weekend I spent most of my time split between watching episodes of Downton Abbey and working on a scrapbook for my niece's first birthday. But I also squeezed in a little time to do some baking and cooking. One recipe I made was this chicken and broccoli casserole. It is really quick and easy and of course delicious! It is an old family favourite that I love to make now that I'm on my own because it brings back memories of family dinners back home.

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

1 lb chopped broccoli

2 cups cooked chicken

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2/3 cup mayo

1 ½ tbsp lemon juice

½ tsp curry powder

1 ½ tbsp cornstarch

½ cup cheddar cheese

Cook broccoli for a few minutes, drain and place on bottom of greased 9x13. Place chicken on top. Mix soup, mayo, juice, curry and cornstarch and pour over. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over. Bake uncovered at 350º for 30 minutes. Serve over rice.

I like to use a bag of frozen broccoli and then i skip the first step of cooking the broccoli for a few minutes. Also, because I'm only cooking for one I like to make a whole pan and then make a serving of 5 minute rice. Then I store the left overs in the fridge or freezer and just make a personal serving of rice each time I want some.

I linked this post to the Tuesday Talent Show at Chef in Training

The House Across the Street

I live across from a very beautiful house. It is a large, old stone house with many beautiful architectural features.
This three story mansion sits on a slight hill, giving it a slight air over the neighborhood. When I come home in the
late evening the house across the street is all light up from the inside. Pulling onto my street and seeing this
beautiful sight gives me a warm and safe feeling, like it is looking out for me.
In the winter mornings when I look out my window and I see the house across the street I am a little less upset that I
have to go out to shovel because I am blessed by seeing such a picture-perfect sight across the street.
Living in the downtown area of my town has exposed me to plenty of beautiful old homes. Of course I am unable to afford
to own one of this historic houses, let alone rent one, I am satisfied to simply live in my humble home across the
street from one of the best and brightest homes in the neighborhood.
Thank you to my neighbors for living in and keeping up such a beautiful home. It is such a nice feeling to live even
near such a house as yours. And thank you for providing such wonderful inspiration for maintaining my own home.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yesterday afternoon I spent some time in the kitchen making a batch of chocolate chip cookies. The recipe I used is one I got a couple years ago from my sister and I've been using it faithfully ever since. It's easy, quick and most importantly provides delicious results!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla

1 large egg

2 1/4 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 bag (12 ou

nces) semisweet chocolate chips (for this batch I used chocolate chucks, yum!)

Heat oven to 375F. Beat sugars, butter, vanilla and egg in large bowl with electic mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt (dough will be stiff) stir in chocolate chips.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet.

Bake for 7-10 minutes or until light borwn (centres will be soft). Cool for 1-2 minutes then transfer to wire rack.

Hope you enjoy!

The Gift of Snow

Since I live in the part of the world, Canada, that does happen to get snow in the winter, it means I often have to spend some extra time before I go to work in the mornings scrapping off my car and shovelling my sidewalk and driveway.

When I was younger snow meant bundling up in snow gear and playing outside with my sisters. We built forts, threw snowballs and got to go sledding.

But something changed a couple years ago when I went off to college. The first year I stayed in a dorm which was connected to the main building so I never really noticed when it snowed. The second year though I moved into a basement apartment and had to walk and take the bus. Then I started understanding why most adults can't stand the snow. And now that I'm living in a place with a driveway and sidewalk I'm responsible for clearing off and I have to drive on the snowy and icy roads, I'm really becoming resentful of the winter weather conditions.

It is hard not to get a little grumpy when you have to work outside in the 10 below zero weather and shovel off five centimetres of snow.

Instead I'm trying this winter to look at snow as a gift. Snow is a gift because it gives me a few minutes to get outside and breath in the fresh air and do some free exercise. No paying for a gym membership for me, I can just go outside and pick up my shovel. Snow is a gift that allows me some time alone with my thoughts where I can clear my head and appreciate the silence. Snow is a gift that allows me the chance to wonder and marvel at God's world and the beauty of creation. Fresh snow covering the ground, trees and neighbouring houses always paints a beautiful, perfect picture.

So thank you God, for the gift of snow, and help me to continue to appreciate it this winter.

Weekend Wreath Project

This weekend I tackled a small wreath project.

My inspiration came from here: http://teachcraftlove.blogspot.com/2010/06/front-door-wreaths_22.html. Actually I found the photo on Pinterest, a website I have been spending too much time on lately!

All of my supplies came from my local Michaels craft store. Here's the break down on the cost:

wreath - $3.99

white carnations - 3@ $0.89

blue flowers - $1.99

Wooden #1 - $0.05

Wooden #8 - $0.05

Wooden #0 - $2.49

Total - 11.29

Here is what everything looked like before:

It was overall pretty quick and simple. First I cut off the stems from the flowers and and kind of "dry" place them on the wreath without using glue to see how they would look.

Then I pulled out some white craft paint and a small sponge paint brush, both of which I got from the dollar store a while ago to paint the wooden numbers white.

I just gave them one quick coat. The paint covered the numbers well, but still gave it kind of a white-wash feel that I liked.

After giving them a couple hours to dry I broke out my little glue gun and glued the flowers and numbers in place.

Presto!

I really like how it turned out, now I just have to find the over-the-door wreath hanger I put away with all my Christmas decor.

I linked this post here: