Bloggity Blog Blog.

This week had no shortage of things to do. Tuesday we did our civic duty and voted. (Note Brian's sticker below.) We proceeded to the Inn to celebrate our friend Beth's election to Village Council. It was a double celebration, since it was also our friend Sue's birthday. 

Wednesday was a late work day - we had our Gift of Education reception. Always a nice event, but still tiring, so it was an early night for me once I got home. Brian picked up friend Chad from the car rental place, so I didn't see Brian much at all.

Thursday was dinner at El Campo with Chad & Jess, since they are both home from their travels. Although, Jess is only home briefly.

Friday - Happy Veterans Day! In addition to thinking about all our military friends and family, we're celebrating the birth of Jess this evening. Lots of cleaning, so we have a presentable place if anyone needs to crash here. And, Brian's making Aunt Judy's famous spinach balls!! 

A parting shot of Brisco, because I'm trying to use the camera more often.

Baker FAIL.

I got home from work and wanted to make something. I couldn't decide what though, so we had a nice dinner. Brian wasn't feeling well, and went to sleep, but I still had the nagging feeling of wanting to make something. After scouring the cupboard, and noting the 2 brown bananas on the counter, I decided on the obvious choice of banana bread. Brian would be pleasantly surprised in the morning, and I would have accomplished something.


Unfortunately, there are too many banana bread recipes. I know the gist, but I wanted to be informed. The cupboards were scoured and now so were the internets. Here's what I went with, a variation from here:

Spiced Rum Banana Bread

• 2 cups AP flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature (I was impatient and melted it.)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup bananas, smashed
• 1/4 cup applesauce (Didn't have, used oil.)
• 1/4 cup spiced rum (Didn't have spiced, used dark rum)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla (I added another 1/2 tsp.)
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon (make up for the missing rum spice?)
• 1/2 a nutmeg (make up for the missing rum spice?)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter and flour a bundt pan and set aside.

In a large bowl sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a mixer, cream together butter and both sugars until smooth. Mix in eggs one at a time until incorporated. Take bowl off mixer and stir in the bananas, applesauce, rum, and vanilla. Fold in the dry ingredients into the wet being careful not too over mix.

Scrape batter into a prepared bundt pan and bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a large plate. 

There's also a glaze, but I'm getting tired. I don't want to dirty anything else; I've got it all crammed in the dishwasher and it's clean at the moment. 

Hmm...I just checked on the bread, and it's not looking so good. Looks too liquidy. Smells good though. Maybe shouldn't have melted that butter and substituted for the applesauce. (For the record, I have successfully made banana bread before, but I'm a little concerned.) Give it 10 more minutes.

Hahahahahaha. Janet FAIL. To top it off, a mosquito just flew in that molten mess and is stuck!! If anyone else tries the recipe, let me know how it's supposed to taste!! (That means you, Mary and Jeff!!)