Weekly Goals II

This week I'd like to....

*finish taking pictures of/ and cataloging my scrapbook pages digitally. Just in case, if you know what I mean.





*Continue doing photography research. I have immersed myself in the photography world and am discovering all sorts of new things. Some of my new favorite sites/blogs are,
Stuck in Customs,
MCP Actions, and
Elisha Snow

(I hope to get some of Jodi's actions from MCP Actions soon).
I have been reading Elisha's blog for quite a few years now and she always gives great photography tips.

*Let Tyson play outside in the water a few times.






*And give my boys lots of love no matter if they are happy.... or whining......

Anyone interested?

So... I've been organizing..... ( I know, big shocker), and recently did a major purge of my craft room.

I ended up with a good pile of scrapbooking paper, chipboard, flowers, stamps etc. Most of it was hard to give up, but I know that I either will keep skipping over it because I've already used a duplicate paper, or I simply couldn't possibly use all of the embellishments. Comment and I'll get it to the first person who does. If not, then someone will get lucky at D.I.

Dads are the best

just wanted to wish my Dad, Dusty's Dad, and Dusty a super wonderful Father's Day.  I have been blessed to be surrounded by  gentle, considerate, dedicated and respectful men my entire life.  I am so lucky.  

Tres Yummy Banana Bread

(This is for my neighbor who requested the recipe and made me want to bake it myself)

I may not be the best "baker" out there, but I seem to have a knack for making banana bread. But who am I kidding? It's super easy, so I shouldn't be bragging about it. :)

First, you need at least 4-5 overripe bananas. The recipe works best if they are really overripe, as in, they have been in your freezer for awhile and come out all juicy after they have been thawed. Sound gross, I know, but that makes the best bread. Today, I used store-bought red-taped bananas and they worked pretty well. 

Since the recipe only makes one loaf and that loaf seems to disappear magically after one day, I always double the recipe. That means my freezer usually has bananas that fall out every time I open the door. (I have to store up quite a few)

 (scroll to the bottom to see the entire recipe)

First, you mash up the bananas till they are all mushy.

Break the eggs into a small bowl and beat them slightly with a fork.  Add them to the bananas.


Measure out the sugar and add it to the bananas as well.


The original recipe called for 1/2 cup of oil.  I add applesauce instead.  


Now I mix the entire banana mixture and let it rest for a second.

In another bowl, add your flour.

Measure out your baking powder, soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  One thing I have discovered is that I really like to taste the spices.  So I've tweaked the recipe and added lots more.   Dump all of this into the flour.

Before you stir everything together add the salt.  Then stir, stir, stir and make a well in the bottom.

Before I combine the wet and dry, I get the pans ready to go in the oven.  Grease them and sprinkle the bottom with cinnamon/sugar.  Yep, that's right friends.  Sprinkle away.

Pour the wet banana mixture into the larger flour bowl and mix everything together just enough to combine it all.  It should be pretty lumpy.

After pouring the batter into the pans, sprinkle more cinnamon/sugar over the top.  

Bake them in the oven, and let them cool for 10 minutes before you remove the loaves from their pans.  I usually run a knife around the edges before I dump them out.  Let them cool on a wire rack.

And the best part?  Have a few slices while they are still hot.  

Banana Bread

(makes one loaf)

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. salt

2 beaten eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed bananas ( about 5 medium)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup applesauce

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Make a well in the bottom.

Mash the bananas and add the rest of the ingredients to the bananas.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients together.  Stir until just combined.

Pour into a 9x5x3 greased pan that has been sprinkled with cinnamon/sugar.

Sprinkle more cinnamon/sugar over the top of batter.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until a knife or toothpick comes out clean.  Cool in pans for 10 minutes and cool completely on a wire rack.  

Weekly Goals I

Summer always feels so busy and passes too quickly. To make the most of it, I may start posting my weekly goals each Monday to give me someone ( even imaginary blog readers) to report to.

I hope to finish this mini this week.  It's pretty close already.


To keep these pretties well-watered.  Especially as the temperature rises and rises.  And also ask someone to water them for me when we leave in July.

Pay lots of attention to this boy.... oh and restrict what he can come home with from the thrift store.  yikes.  why do we let them dress themselves?  just kidding... he is actually a very good dresser and gives me tips all time.  Don't tell him I told you though. 

Iron this lovely suit for Tyson to wear to my sister's wedding.  He's going to look so dashing.

And last and but definitely not least, play with this when it comes today! Thanks Sara and Mom. Thanks bunches.

Last Night Fiesta

Thanks to the location of our house, we have a great view of the firework show that our city gives during a statewide event. It has become our tradition to invite friends over to have some dinner, play, and watch the big explosions when it gets dark.



Whoa! Those are some big flames babe! I guess that is what happens when I am naughty and wrap bacon around the burgers...



I couldn't resist snapping shots of some of the beautiful babies. The others (including Tyson) were having too much fun for a photo shoot.









Everyone knows it's not a good party unless there are party lights :)





A good one of Patrice. The best I could do considering it was so dark. Still cute.

Tidbits of life

(Pastor Ryan's Bolognese Sauce  -via PW)

Lately I've been really enamored with this fabulous lady's blog, including many of her recipes. Try this one, and then move on to this one. But, basically they are all wonderful.

My Dad clued me into to this website. Part of the "music genome project", this internet radio site lets you type in a composer, artist, or soundtrack and will generate other songs that it thinks you'll like. So far I have been more than pleased. Downright tickled.

On a rather bleak note, I washed my iPod in the washer yesterday...... but miracle of miracles the thing is still playing songs like they are going out of style! I went from distressed to marveled.

At my local thrift store yesterday a worker wheeled out a new cart of books.  You should have seen us swarm, stampede, thrash, and throw our arms out trying to be the first person to have a looksee.  It's a dangerous business this whole thrifting thing.  

I've been checking this site like a total stalker, fueling the paparazzi. What is wrong with me?

I'm back home

and even though my house is a wreck, I'm posting on the blog. Talk about priorities...... I thought I'd share a few goodies of the too-short trip. Tyson was an angel in the car, up and back. I really am lucky to have such a good back seat driver. ("no Mom, let's go that way")

Sara's Bridal Shower was a big hit. The women who threw it are such sweethearts.









It's good to get all the sisters together (minus Lauren, :( ) All of us together is sure to bring laughing. Lots of it. And hairstyling tips. And reality checks. Like that your five year old sister is actually 17 now. Or that one has her Learners permit after you freak out when she asks to drive.





Tyson specifically requested that we look for golfballs when we went to visit Dusty's parents. I didn't complain. They live in one of the most beautiful spots in the country. As in America. For real.








I did manage to catch a few of the soon-to-be married couple. Are they thinking " what a voyeur"? Or "I'm so glad that Jess is capturing this for posterity". I'm sure it's the latter.