Tasty Tuesday: Banana Bread

I love banana bread, as does my entire family. It is odd that I love banana bread because I don't like to eat bananas nor do I like banana flavoring. I had been a quest to find an awesome recipe and I finally found one, thanks to my favorite lady Paula Deen!!! Everytime I make some, Hubby brings some to work, everyone raves about it and I am always asked to make some more. It has become one of my favorite things to bake!! So here is the recipe....I hope you all love it as much as I do!!

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temp (preferably unsalted)
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 ripe bananas, mashed (if they are small, use 4)

Preheat oven to 350

Grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan

Combine the butter and suger. Add the salt, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and bananas, and mix well. If there are lumps, that is ok. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick or knife comes clean in the middle.

If you want to make mini loaves, bake for about 30 minutes or so!!

Momma Monday: Slacker

Man, I can't beleive I slacked on my blag the entire week last week. I kept meaning to sit down and write but just never did. Life is just so crazy right now, as I said in my previous blog. Some days, I feel like I have only an hour or so to myself and that is long after everyone is asleep!! I guess it is ok to slack every now and then!!!

Our busy season has officially started and it was started with an amazing trip up to VA beach to see some of closest, dearest friends. Little Man was so excited to spend the weekend with E-Ray, Princess loved playing with the boys and with little LuLu and I truly enjoyed visitng with my girl!!! We had such a great time hanging out and our fundraising event has been pretty prosperous. I am hoping it will earn a little bit more before we close out the event. I am so happy and honored that her group invited me up to do the event. It was a blast, plus I got to see some old friends too!!

As for the rest of our travels, next week we leave for our big family vacation at Sandbridge. 20 people, it will be crazy!! In June, we are hoping to have some visitors (Nanny and Poppa) and I am hoping to take a few short trips to visit some friends near by. In July, I think we have 2 short trips planned and then we leave at the end of the month for almost 4 weeks to go to New York. I am so excited about that trip. I can't wait to spend some quality time with my nieces and the rest of the crew!!! It promises to be a crazy few months but I need to get it out now before Noah starts pre-school!!

I started my new medication and it is so much better. My stomach hasn't bothered me once and so far, I haven't felt weird at all!! I am so glad I called the doctor. I can't imagine how bad I would feel if I had continued the other stuff!! Let's hope it stays going good when I have to increase the meds next week!!
I am just glad that right now, all in all, LIFE IS GREAT!!

Momma Monday: This and That

Life is getting busier and busier. Somedays, it feels like there just isn't enough time to keep up with all I want to do. But I guess it is better than sitting and doing nothing. I had to look at my calendar for a few things today and I realized that between now and May 10th, I have something going on every day!! We have become quite the busy little trio, the kids and myself!!

I started my daily schedule and I love it!! I get so much done and I have actually been on time to almost everything (don't fall out of your seats!!). I have had my share of people telling me I am crazy to have such a set schedule but it is working for me and that is all that matters. Our schedule is as follows:

0600: Wake up
0615-0730: Workout
0730-0800: Shower & Dress, kids up and dressed
0800-0900: Breakfast, TV time for kids, computer time for me
0900-1000: Playtime (no TV) either outside or in bedrooms, Mommy cleaning time
1000-1300: Out for the day (either errands, park or whatever)
1300-1400: Lunch
1400-1700: Naptime, Cleaning time for me if needed
1700-1730: Up from naptime
1730-1830: Preparing dinner, Noah work book time and Jordie coloring or playing
1830: Dinner
1900: Clean up and kids playtime
2000-2030: Family TV time
2030: Bedtime routine starts
2100: Kids in bed
2300: Target bedtime for me

I know it is pretty specific but I spent a week writing down what we typically do during the day and that is pretty much how our life was with the exception of having more TV time and computer time. My goal was to cut those 2 things down to a minimum. So far, it has really worked. I am staying on top of my chores and getting things done much more quickly. I really recommend it to everyone especially with kids.

On the medical side of things, I have been terribly sick with my medication so I finally called the doctor about it. So we shall see what they say tomorrow when they call me back. As of right now, I won't be taking anything until the office lets me know. I hate feeling the way I do though. For a medicine that is suppose to make me feel better, mostly I feel like death warmer over!!

I guess I better get back to my busy life huh?

Letter of Intent Friday

Every Friday Julie from http://www.myfourboys.net/ does Letter of Intent Friday. Basically the idea is to write a letter to a person place or thing and let it/them know how you feel. It is a good way to get some thing(s) off your chest!!




I have truly enjoyed the beautiful weather we have been having this last week. We have enjoyed not one, not two but several days at the beach. The kids love digging in the sand, chasing the waves and they absolutely relish in the sunshine!! However, I am amazed by the amount of inconsiderate people on the beach these days. Where are people's manners anyways? So here is my letter.....

Dear Inconsiderate Beach-goers,

Where are your manners? Is this how you want your children to act one day??

To the man who chain smokes right near a large group of children...I understand we are in the outdoors and there is no ban on public smoking outdoors however, it would be a lot nicer for everyone involved if you could take your second-hand smoke away from the public beach and the large group of children my kids are playing with. Did you really need to smoke more than 10 cigarettes in the 30 or so minutes you were there after we arrived? And who knows how many you smoked before we got there!!

To the woman whose new-born baby was screaming bloody murder....it is neither safe nor smart to keep a newborn baby in the sun for extended periods of time. Yes, you had a blanket over her carrier but in 87 degree weather, that is just not smart. If you try to feed, change, cool down, etc the baby and she continues to scream, that is the point you pack up and go home. The safety and health of your child should be your first priority not looking hot in your little bikini and trying to hang out with your friends!!

To the group of young adults who felt it was necessary to use a swear word in every sentence that came out of their mouth...all I have to say, is it really necessary? Can you not tell a story with out using such colorful language?

To the group of young girls who thought it was funny to give lap dances to their male group members...do you have no self-dignity? Do you know how trashy it makes you look when you act so foolish in public? Didn't your mother/female role-model teach you better than that? And if you had a daughter one day, won't you be embarrassed to know that is how she was acting? I know I would be if my daughter ever acted the way you girls carried on!!

And lastly, to the countless people in bath suits that were very apparently too small for them....do you not own mirrors? Where is the sense of propriety these days? A little left to the imgination goes a long way!!

Sincerely,

A disgusted beach-goer

P.S. Despite the things I see frequently on the beach, I will still go because the beach is one of the best places to people watch!!

Awesome Promotion for Deployed Military Families!

I got this off my friend Ally's Blog. She encouraged us to pass it along to everyone, especially if you know anyone currently deployed or about to be deployed!!

Operation Hi Honey! and Operation Hi Mom! are two really great promotions offered by canvasondemand.com.

Operation Hi Honey! is a program that gives hundreds of our deployed military men and women a free fine-art canvas that will be presented to their spouse on their anniversary. Recipients are selected randomly each week, and the canvas is delivered to the deployed service member's Honey in time for their anniversary.

Operation Hi Mom! awards hundreds of our deployed men and women a free fine art canvas, printed from a favorite photo, which will be presented to their moms on Mother’s Day. Deployed soldiers can simply go to a specially-designed webpage to submit a request, write their mother an endearing message, and upload a photo. It’s a way for soldiers to say to their mom, I love you…and it’s a way for Canvas on Demand to say to our troops, Thanks for a job well-done!

Bravo Zulu to Canvas on Demand for remembering the troops and the sacrifices they and their families make to defend our country!

WDYT: Extreme Makeovers

I love the show "Extreme Home Makeover". Every Sunday, I watch and shed a few tears for the families they feature on the show. Some weeks, I shed more than others but all in all, the show always manages to tug on my heart-strings. I always feel good that these families get a chance to improve their lives with a new home but I always wonder about what their financial picture looks like after the camera crew is gone.

Then today, I came across this news article:

Extreme Makeovers

It honestly doesn't surprise me that these families are having to foreclose on the gorgeous houses that are built for them even when the mortgage or land is paid off. Taxes go up with a bigger house, utilities get more expensive and costs in general go up. So is it really worth these people to get a huge new house?

I think the concept of Home Makeover is great but I think they went way off the deep end trying to help people and not thinking of the long road.

Should they continue doing the makeovers? Will they be able to scale the houses back and keep the current viewer levels? What do you think?

Tasty Tuesday: Capellini Caprese

Since the summer is coming upon us, I thought I would share one of my favorite summery recipes. I made this for my friend's baby shower and it was a huge hit. I make it frequently for myself just to have on hand for lunch or as a side dish!! Enjoy!!!!!!

1/2 lb. capellini, angel hair or spaghetti, uncooked
1/2 cup KRAFT Tuscan House Italian Dressing and Marinade
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups halved grape or cherry tomatoes
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
1/3 cup fresh basil, finely sliced


COOK pasta as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir 2 min. Add tomatoes; cook 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

DRAIN pasta. Add to tomato mixture; mix lightly. Sprinkle with cheese and basil.

This tastes good hot or cold!!!

Momma Monday: Just Blah

This weekend has been a pretty blah weekend for me. I have been moody and listless and I can't figure out why. I am tired and have no motivation to do anything. Yesterday we spent pretty much the whole day lying in bed. I think I was out of my room for about 3 hours total in the day. I don't know if it is because of I am just not used to the hot weather any more or if I am having a "hormonal" weekend. Whatever it is, I hope I can snap out of it soon because I have a busy month ahead!!

Snapshot of my month.....

This week is spring break which means no classes for us. We will spend the week at the beach, at playdates and doing fun things.
Next week, Daddy is in the field for a week so it is just me and the munchkins. I have a TS party on the 14th, and then we go to VA Beach on the 15th to visit Ally and the kids. Ally's TS fundraiser is on the 17th and we will come home on the 18th.
The weekend of the 24th, I have 2 TS parties and then I need to get ready for our vacation since we leave on the 29th!! I am so excited for it (but that will be a whole other blog entry...LOL)

Fill in the days with speech, playschool, Mommy & Me and playdates and you have a busy month!! But I honestly hope the month goes by super fast since I get to see my family at the end of the month!! I have been really missing my NY family so much and I can't wait to be hanging out on the beach with most of them!!

Come on April 29th.....HURRY UP AND GET HERE!!!

Letter of Intent Friday

Every Friday Julie from www.myfourboys.net does Letter of Intent Friday. Basically the idea is to write a letter to a person place or thing and let it/them know how you feel. It is a good way to get some thing(s) off your chest!! I was doing this in the past and it was nice to get something off my chest so I decided I am going to start doing it again!!



Dear Cellular Phone Carrier,

I have been a "valued" customer for many years or so you say. My husband and I recently spent a nice amount of money purchasing newer models of your products and upgrading our service plans. As we have always been timely with our payments and have valued your business, I have not been impressed with your trouble-shooting techniques.

My new phone doesn't get calls randomly and we have discovered that my old phone is still in working order. If it is turned on, it will receive the calls. I am being told by people that my phone will go right to it's voicemail despite my phone being on and with full-service. When I went into your local office to have this rectified, the gentleman I spoke to was unable to unprogram my old phone, nor was the manager unable to do so. They remedy..."Just leave the old phone off". Well, that doesn't change the fact that I am randomly not receiving my phone calls.

Last week, I missed a total of 9 phone calls that I am aware of. One of them was from a friend on my daughter's birthday but because it was their child singing happy birthday, I have no idea who it was from. 4 of them were my husband trying to get in touch with me when he needed some information on our vehicle for his inspection. Today alone I missed 4 phone calls (again that I know of) and 2 of them were business calls!! It is so irritating.

So I will go visit your local office again tomorrow. I just hope for the people who work there's sake, someone can figure out why my brand new cellular phone is doing this!!! And people wonder why I insist on having a home phone too!!!

Sincerely,
An unhappy cell phone owner

Thankful Thursday

Well today is thankful thursday and I had to really think hard about this one for this week. It is going to sound very superficial and materialistic but this week I am thankful for 2 things: my washer & dryer and the bed-liners they sell so mattress' don't get ruined.

These last few days, well week actually, have been pretty rough with Little Man. For some reason, he seems to be regressing with certain things. One of those things is potty training. He has been sleeping for a very long time without a pull-up or anything other than diapers. However, in the last week alone, he has had 3 accidents at night. We stopped giving him liquids at night after dinner and everything but he still has the accidents. I just don't know what to do and have no idea why he would be going through this since nothing has changed in our lives at all.

So I am thankful for my washing machine since it has been doing double duty this week washing the sheets and blankets every other day. And I am thankful I bought the bedliner so his mattress doesn't get ruined. Now if I could only be thankful that he stopped wetting the bed.