"Whatever You Have" Kind of Banana Bread

I have made banana bread a few times over the last couple of weeks.

No matter what recipe I use, it's always bland and very dry.

After some trial and error, I found one that is delicious and very moist.

1 1/2 c of flour

1c of butter semi melted (pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds)

1c of sugar

1 egg

2 smashed bananas

1/2 c of sour cream

1T of vanilla

Few dashes of cinnamon

A dash of salt

Optional:

1/2 c of juice

1/4 cup of vegetable oil

Pre-heat oven at 350



First, mix all of the dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.
Next, mix the rest of the ingredients in a different bowl.
When liquid mixture is blended well, slowly add the dry ingredients until everything is smooth.

I read a recipe where a lady added pineapple juice to her bread. The only juice I had was this and it seemed like a good idea. Add whatever you have in your fridge, I'm sure it will taste great.



There were also raisins left over from Haven's party where I made "Pirates on a Log" so I folded those into the batter at the end.

In the past, I've added chocolate chips or blueberries. Add it whatever you want =)

I haven't seen a recipe for banana bread that called for vegetable oil, probably because IT'S BREAD AND NOT CAKE... But I needed guaranteed moistness so I went there...

(You didn't expect anything healthy out of me anyway, right?)

Make sure to coat your pan with Pam and flour really well because it tends to fall apart when you cool it afterwards.



The bread takes between 40 and 50 minutes to bake.

And WAA-LAA!

It's My Friday!

Ahhh FINALLY... Thursday!

My goals for tomorrow are to bake some banana bread, do laundry, and nap when Haven naps. I've been having trouble sleeping the past two weeks. I keep waking up at 3am completely awake. I even spent last night rearranging my room because I read that if your bed is on the same side as a window, you'll sleep better. Needless to say, it did nothing for me.

Anyone have a natural remedy?!

Here are a few shots from this week!

Haven's 1st Birthday

I apologize that I haven't posted sooner.

I've been exxxxhausted.

The birthday party was a huge success and Haven is loving all of his new toys. In fact, I can upload an album to facebook, check my blogs, and even write a new one and he still hasn't wanted my attention. This is great. I've only opened a few of them. The rest on in the closet so that he doesn't get sick of them too fast.

Here are some snap shots of the party.

The funny cake I made him-






He loved his toddler recliner...Although it is already covered in milk stains.



But most of all, he loved the CAKE :)






We incorporated some pirate food into our theme. My friend Amy helped me with the cutouts!








After we gave him a bath, everyone took pictures with their pirate gear... Notice our naked captain?! ;-)






I can't believe that he is a year old already. It was Fat Tuesday last year. During the whole process I was wishing I was in a bar with a cold beer. 16 hours of labor will make you think like that. I just remember the nurse announcing that he was 9lbs 9 oz... Ahh, my little porkchop.

Hello, Weekend.

My camera battery has been dead all week. I hid my charging cord from Haven... and I guess I hid it from myself too because I couldn't seem to find it. It's finally charged for the weekend.... and a BIG weekend it will be =)

Haven is having his first birthday party on Sunday. We're expecting between 25 and 30 people at our house... .Yes, our house... I don't know how I'm going to pull this off. We're serving lunch and I found some great food ideas that I can incorporate into his pirate theme.

I know I went over board... He won't remember any of this... But the first birthday is really for the mom, so I'm going all out. I have swords, eye patches, treasure chest boxes, telescopes, hats, pirate beards, bandannas, and tons of food.

We ordered him a khaki toddler recliner for his room. It should be delivered today. He is our pride and joy.

I wish he could stay in my arms forever.


But he is already such a big boy! I love that he looks more like Chris everyday.

My Little Valentine

Ignore the poor quality of the picture, it came from my iphone.

Chris went to Mardi Gras yesterday with the guys.... I had the pleasure of driving to a White Castle in Soulard to pick him up.... Yeah, it only took me two hours to find him. You could only imagine the loving conversation we had on the way home.

His sister went down there as well so we watched our nephew Blaine. I had big fun plans set out for us but Blaine was very sick and I wasn't about to take him out if I didn't have to (oh, minus our two car car ride that should have taken 15 minutes).

I spent the rest of the weekend keeping Blaine and Haven separated that so Haven wouldn't get sick. Haven has never had a cough or anything... The worst thing to ever happen was an ear ache that didn't want to leave due to teething and being congested. I take great pride in having a very healthy child and clean house... so you can only imagine my nerves.

We've been laying low most of the day just watching it snow. I did get Haven dressed up to go to lunch.

I'll be spending the rest of the week putting the finishing touches on Haven's first birthday party this weekend.

It's a pirate theme!

We're serving lunch for 30 people... so any food suggestions would be appreciated!

Happy Sunday!!

Friday Fun

After working 10hour days, I crave my lazy time on Fridays.

I had all intentions of deep cleaning the house but watching the Today Show all morning and gallivanting around Target seemed more enjoyable.

Haven and I baked cupcakes (and ate a few, too).

I just used a cake mix and pre-made frosting. I dressed them up with some Wilton frosting gel and tips. I didn't have any V-Day sprinkles so I just used some old Christmas candy and picked out all of the green ones :)

I spent the rest of the day keeping Haven from stabbing our tv with random objects and eating Chauncey's food and bone.

The three hour nap was enjoyable, too.



Happy Weekend to All =)

Meg's Crescent Chicken

This is a family favorite. I got this from Meg at "whatever" who inspired me to start my own blog. Here is recipe. These are the ingredient's that you'll need: I only used 2 pieces of chicken and 2 cans of crescent rolls for 16 cheesy bundles :) I baked the chicken for 20 minutes at 375. I then transfered the chicken to my blender and added a cup of cheese and a 1/2 cup of milk. I blended it until it was chunky: Then, I put some cream of celery soup in a pan with an equal amount of water. You could use cream of whatever you want =) Next, I filled the triangle crescent pieces with the chicken/cheese mixture and pressed the seams shut (as best as possible). I laid them all in a baking pan (ungreased): Finally, I cover them with the soup mixture and whatever vegetable I have in my pantry: Put it in the oven for 20-25min at 375. Prepare to fall in love.

Around the House

Chris had to have an out-patient surgery done on Wednesday... so he has been drugged up on pain medication for the last few days. Thank goodness that Noel is there to hold down the fort while I'm at work.

It's so much more difficult having a sick husband than having a sick baby.

I want him to feel better already!

Here are a few snap shots of Haven from this week. He turns one in two weeks!






Thursday is the last day of my work week. I've been able to stay at home in the morning with Chris the past few days since he's been sick. It has made such a difference in the amount of energy I have. My goal is to switch my schedule from 6-4pm to 7-5pm.

I'm loving this extra hour.

We are having family in town this weekend for Mardi Gras, a Blue's game, and my SIL's birthday. Standing outside and drinking in the cold didn't appeal to me this year so I'm letting Chris have a "guys day out."

Haven and I are going to bake a cake for Aunt Stephanie and visit cousin Blaine. I'm trying to think of activities that would entertain and 1 & 3 year old. Maybe the Magic House?

Valentine's Day is this weekend, too.... But it's also Steph's birthday so I think we're just having a day out with the in laws. Chris already bought me the purse I wanted so I don't need anything special.

I mean, I want something special... but.... Maybe one night next week when he is feeling better, we'll get out of the house.

Chicken Enchiladas

I've been searching for the perfect enchilada recipe but couldn't make up my mind which one I wanted to try. Last night I made my own version of three different recipes (and even changed my mind in the middle).

Here is what you need to feed 4:

(I didn't end up using the enchilada sauce)

First, bake your chicken on 375 for about 20 minutes. I sprinkled some taco seasoning on top of the chicken. I used 3 chicken breasts for 8 enchiladas... and it worked out great.


While the chicken was baking, I did the side work.

I decided last minute not to use the enchilada sauce. Instead, I got out my blender and added 1/2 jar of salsa (I used black bean and corn for more flavor), 1 cup of sour cream, and one cup of water. I blended it into a nice liquid mixture like this:


Take this mixture and pour 1/2 of it into a greased baking pan. Put the other half in a bowl because you will use this for the topping sauce.

Next, when the chicken is done, throw it in the blender! =)
I must just have bad knives, but it take me so long to cut chicken by hand.

Also add two cups of shredded cheese, 1/3 cup of milk or sour cream, and a little taco seasoning if you have any in your pantry.
Blend until it's nice and chunky:


Warm up your tortillas in the microwave for about a minute.
My package came with eight tortillas.
I just made a skinny line of the chicken mixture in each tortilla and then folded it up with the seam down into the pan.


Finally, I covered the wrapped tortillas with the remaining liquid salsa mixture and stuck the pan (covered) in the oven for 20 more minutes. When they were done, I sprinkled them with cheese and some green onions I had in the fridge.

They were SOOO good.



So good that someone needed to be rinsed off in the sink right after dinner!

My Mom's Deviled Eggs

All of my favorite blogs post their favorite recipes... and this one of mine. Everyone likes them and they are a perfect side for any party.

D'ana's Little Devil's

As you can tell, I only use fancy ingredients =)


In order to make 24 deviled eggs, you will need the following:
A carton of large eggs
2 tablespoons of mayo
A squirt of mustard
A spoonful of sweet relish
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Sprinkles of paprika and/or sliced green olives

Start off by boiling your eggs. It seems like forever and sometimes I crack a few just to see if they're done. Usually takes me 20 minutes after the water is already boiling.


After they're boiled, shock them under some cold water in the sink. I always leave them in the pan as I peel the shell away. The water seems to make it easier. I leave the shells in the pan and transfer the eggs to a bowl on the counter.


Hopefully, your eggs will look like this...


And not like this...


Next, cut the eggs in half long ways. I toss the cooked yoke in a separate bowl. Before I add any of the ingredients, I put the cooked yoke in a zip lock baggy with 2 cupfuls of the vinegar and mash it. This makes it easier to blend the "frosting."


Then, transfer the yoke-vinegar mixture back into the bowl.
Add a cup of mayo (or more if you like them a little runny)
Also, add a few squirts of mustard and a big spoonful of sweet relish.


I just whisk mine in the bowl until the mixture is smooth.
The mixture is best if you leave in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) to thicken up.

In the morning I fill the halved eggs with the "frosting" and garnish with sprinkles of paprika. You could always choose to garnish your eggs with sliced olives or pieces of bacon, too.

Enjoy.