Heartbroken

Today is a very sad day. I childhood friend of mine was taken from this earth much too soon. The details of his death are shocking and I can't grasp my brain around the fact that this really happened. It seems like something that you'd hear about on the news or on an episode of CSI... not something to happen in real life to a great young man that has his whole life ahead of him.
I have known Michael since Kindergarten. We were babysat in the same home daycare before and after school. We would joke about it every now and then. We had several years in elementary school that we had the same teachers. Middle school we were in different schools. High School we reconnected.... not until the end when we were hanging out with all the same friends. He had such a great attitude and humor. He could always lift your spirits. My fondest memory of Michael is when I was pregnant with my first son four years ago... We were at a wedding and he would not leave my side because he wanted to keep rubbing my belly! It was sweet and hilarious.
The odd thing is that Friday morning I randomly thought about him (because someone was rubbing my belly) and immediately started wondering how he was doing... I feel like I should have reconnected with him on Facebook or asked a friend how he was, tell him I say hello... but I shrugged it off.

I know that he is in a better place. He touched many peoples lives and has left lasting impressions on many. Please keep him, his family & his friends in your prayers.

Chocolate + Bananas + Bread = So Tasty!

It seems life is ever changing. This was my first week going from being a busy full-time working mom to working part time. I'm a few months away from being a full-time SAHM and I am so excited! With more time at home I get to do the things I love and spend time with my favorite people: my husband and my son. I have been baking like crazy this week and it feel great!

This recipe is so easy, comes out looking amazing and its delicious!

Two-Tone Banana Bread

(I got this recipe from Better Homes & Gardens: Holiday Baking magazine 2008)

Prep: 25 minutes

Bake:55 minutes

Cool: 10 minutes

Makes 16 servings

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour (I use unbleached)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (4-5 medium)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted (I use unsalted)

1 tablespoon dark rum or milk

2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

1. Preheat oven to 350 (F). Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan; set aside. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, lemon peel, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Make a well in center of flour mixture; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, mashed bananas, sugar, melted butter, and rum. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Transfer one-third of the batter (about 1 1/4 cups) to a medium bowl; fold in melted chocolate.

3. Drop alternanting spoonfuls of plain and chocolate batters into the prepared pan. Using a table knife or narrow metal spatula, gently swirl through batters to marble.

4. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. If necessary, cover loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning.

5. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack. Wrap and store overnight before slicing.

This bread makes your house smell wonderful! And the swirl effect that comes out when you slice it...

is awesome!

Happy Baking!

Becky

Cravings

During this pregnancy I really haven't had much cravings at all... I didn't have them much with my first son either. It's a good thing or else I'd probably be at the Dairy Queen across the street from my work EVERY DAY!!

The 'problem' that I do have however is that when I HEAR someone talking about anything that even slightly gets me licking my lips... well, I can't stop thinking about it.

Last night and this morning it hit me HARD and I couldn't shake it...

Pumpkin Spice Latte

For the past few days it seems that everywhere I go, or whatever I am reading someone is speaking about the delicious goodness of the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I needed one. desperately.

My husband and I went and got one today. It was marvelous. Definitely lifted my spirits from a hard week!

Thank you Starbucks!