I Run.

Doesn't that sound so healthy? I could be this strong and athletic person who runs for fun. In truth...

I run:

• to the store, thru the store and home from the store
• to the mailbox
• to the bus stop
• up the stairs when a baby cries
• down the street after my dog
• to pick up my kids from wherever...

You get the idea. :) Actually, besides all of the crazy mundane running that we moms do everyday, my dear friend Tonya and I are training for the LZ Half Marathon. Yep. Two work at home moms who are taking the time to do something just for us. Without appendages. :) Unless you count the pregnancy pounds I'm still trying to lose.

Here I would insert an awesome picture of my running shoes. Which I took and now can't find. Guess my .jpg filing system needs some additional work. :)

Happy July!!

Where has the time gone!!? I wanted to at least post this month's workshop layout!

Details arriving shortly!! Happy scrappin'!

Yum-diddlicious!

There are those edibles you see as staples. There are soooo many recipes all making the same ‘thing’ but only one that can be THE one. For me, one of those must-have regulars is banana bread….and the must do recipe is “Banana Bread with Pecans” from Tyler Florence (www.foodnetwork.com).

Let’s start with the pecans. This is my addition to the recipe: TOAST the pecans first. Simple, of course, but oh so wonderful. Do you have a Pampered Chef bar pan? Spread out a single layer of pecans (shelled, of course) and nuke ‘em for 6 min (the unique nature of PCs bar pans will toast the bottom side too!). You’ll have perfectly toasted pecans….so perfect you won’t be able to keep your fingers out of em (especially still warm…mmmmmmmmm…..). So, with pecans in hand (and some in your mouth) here’s the recipe

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour


1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda


1/2 teaspoon salt


4 overripe bananas


1 cup sugar


3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled


2 large eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped


Confectioners' sugar, for dusting


Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

Mash 2 of the bananas with a fork in a small bowl so they still have a bit of texture. With an electric mixer fitted with a wire whisk, whip the remaining bananas and sugar together for a good 3 minutes; you want a light and fluffy banana cream. Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla; beat well and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix in the dry ingredients just until incorporated; no need to overly blend. Fold in the nuts and the mashed bananas with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Give the pan a good rap on the counter to get any air bubbles out.

Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Don't get nervous if the banana bread develops a crack down the center of the loaf; that's no mistake, it's typical. Rotate the pan periodically to ensure even browning.

Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes or so, and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Toast the slices of banana bread, dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve.

3:30 am. Hello, growth spurt!

Yes, even at 7.5 months, her nibs will still occasionally wake me in the wee hours for a nosh. You might be surprised to note I could easily go scrapbook right now. :) BUT, mom will need to actually function in a few hours...so back to sleep I go. Still...if I'm unintelligible later...you'll know why....

"How did you do dat?": Part 1

I want to preface this series by saying:

1. The “parts” are in no particular order of importance.
2. The number of “parts” is indeterminate.
3. The appearance of “parts” will definitely be irregular. ;)

Because I teach workshops I obviously get asked a variety of questions (which I love incidentally…so keep ‘em comin’!). The ONE question I am asked without fail is “How did you DO that?”…or said another way “How did you come up with that?” So I thought I’d devote some blog space to the answer.

We all leave banana crazy hectic lives (unless you’re empty nesters….Lori I’m talking to you :) ). By the time you FIND the time to be creative you’re so bleepin’ tired it just ain’t gonna happen. Enter inspiration. What can I do, look at, read that’ll generate some creative juices? Today… it was a fun, little project. FUN. LITTLE. Get it? :) I took the adorable Echo Park ‘Sweet Summertime’ from a recent sweet Crop Chocolate order and made a thank you treat for our neighbor. It isn’t filled in the picture (**which I haven't included yet**), but wouldn’t jellybeans look adorable?! I’m not kidding when I tell you from beginning to end this project took 20 minutes….and as a result, my oldest was 20 min late for bed. :) AND as a result I’m itchin’ to print out some beach pics from last summer to use up more of this kit!!!

Give it a shot. Do a little make n take at your local scrap store (or your favorite scrapper friend’s house) or make a quick thank you card from your paper scraps. Trust me. The smell of the paper and stamps will lure you back in. Happy crafting!

And now a word from our Sponsor....

Wouldn't that be lovely? I'd feel like I'd hit the big time. :) I like to think my kids are my sponsors. Why? These words wouldn't be possible without them letting me breath a few minutes on the 'puter. :) I'm referring of course to the three little urchins who alternate between driving me completely batty and bringing me absolute joy.

Several years ago I met a dear friend who has now become an accomplished portrait photographer. Emily, stand up and take a bow. :) Her talent captures the pure joy to which I refer. Take a peek...

Tho' it did require my 5 year old to generate the giggles, everything else is pure Emily. The best part? She's a scrapper too!!! She KNOWS which shots I simply have to have to make the memory complete. You can find more inspiration from this wonderful gal on her website Emily Hernandez Photography. And if you're lucky enough to live nearby, she'll come to YOU for the shoot!

Have a wonderful day! I'm spending time in my scrap room today if I have to pay them off...

Listening to the fireworks.

So what does one do when her hubster and older kids are visiting family in MI and she is home with the peanut? Well, for one, she listens to the fireworks instead of watching them. :) But for the most part....

Oh, and watch Sunshine fret about the missing family members...