Banana Bread Muffins.

I figured it was time for another recipe to spice things up a bit.  But this recipe is anything but spicy.  It's a classic - simple, sweet, light, and delicious slathered in butter.  Mmmm, butter!  I've used other banana bread recipes in the past, but I always come back to this one.  I've actually baked it so many times, that the recipe is permanently ingrained in my brain.  So, I will share it with you below, and you can get to crackin' in the kitchen.

This is not a picture of my muffin, but it closely resembles them.  God bless Google images.

Banana Bread Muffins

• 1 1/4 c sugar
• 1/2 c buttermilk (if you don't have buttermilk, add 2 tsp of white vinegar to 1/2 c regular milk)
• 1 stick butter, salted
• 2 large eggs, well beaten
• 3 medium bananas, ripened
• 2 1/2 c flour
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt

In large mixing bowl, combine sugar and butter - I recommend melting the butter first...it makes life easier.  Add buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and banana.  Mix well.  Stir in baking soda and salt, and slowly add flour - one cup at a time works well.  Mix until moistened.  Pour into greased muffin pans and bake 25 minutes on 350*F.  Serve warm with butter.  Mmmm!

Hint:  Be careful not to over mix your ingredients, especially once you've added the flour.  Over-mixing can really jack up the texture of the bread, as I've learned the hard way at least twice.  I would encourage you to embrace your inner domestic goddess and mix everything by hand.  You can thank me later.    

Bon apetite.

It's Been Awhile...

It's been awhile.  Valentines Day was my last real post.  Call it lack of inspiration, blogger's block, busyness, or just pure laziness -- whatever it is, I just can't seem to get my act together.  I've thought about writing, but then something comes up.  This past weekend, a good friend of mine sent me a message on Facebook telling me I needed to post again soon because she missed reading my thoughts.  And then last night, I got another reminder.  Mr. M and I were hanging out.  My laptop sitting on his legs, he stumbled over to my blog's homepage and saw "Tuesday Tune:  My Love Is Your Love", dated February 14, 2012.

"What?!  This was your last post?" he asked.  "Valentine's Day?"

"Yes.  It's pathetic.  I've been so stressed out and uninspired, I haven't kept up with it," I remarked.

This is where I got teary eyed and said, "I don't even keep up with my Facebook page anymore."

He could hear the frustration, aggravation, stress, and disappointment in my voice.  He patted my leg, "Aww, it's okay, baby."

Yes, cheesy, I know, but that was the conversation.  I'll just blame it on the pregnancy hormones.  Yes, I said pregnancy hormones.  If you missed my post from yesterday, you'll want to check it out now.

So, it's March...I'm back, and I'm determined to stay on top of it from here on out.  Send inspirational thoughts my way, and stay tuned.

Meet Spot.

Earlier this year, I announced I'd have big news coming.  Well here it is...we're pregnant!!  "Spot", as we have nicknamed our new little boy or girl, is due on September 7, 2012.  Mr. M and I, along with Miss G, are pretty ecstatic.  We're looking forward to all the excitement, chaos and changes that a second baby will bring to our household.  I look forward to sharing with you through out the duration of this pregnancy - cravings, mood swings, stretch marks, hormonal nightmares, and all the other horrific (and wonderful) side effects of pregnancy.  So get ready, and stay tuned! 

Spot is due 9/07/2012.

Tuesday Tune: Long Way Home.

Long Way Home

by Steven Curtis Chapman