Banana Nut Bread ... With a Twist

I LOVE banana nut bread and have found the perfect recipe! Today I added a twist...mini banana nut donuts (and muffins)! Don't they look good!? They smell and taste even better! To make the donuts, you'll need this pan.

Here's what you do:

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 very ripe bananas
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup nuts

Preheat the oven to 350*F.

You will need 3 bowls.

In the first bowl you will beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs one at a time.


In the second bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.

 

 In the third bowl, combine the bananas, milk and vanilla.

 

Set your mixer to medium and alternate adding in bowl 2 and 3 into bowl 1..beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Occasionally scrape the bowl. Beat just until blended.

Next, fold in the nuts. I used pecans.

Bake for:

10 minutes for donuts

20 minutes for muffins

1 hour 10 minutes for bread

Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes then remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack

Lastly, make yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy!

Project 52: Week 8

Spring Fever!!

We've had a few days here and there of beautiful weather.
The kids loved getting to play outside!


Spring being near means that Maddy's birthday is coming up! I've been working on a tutu for her. I just need to get the colored tulle for the ends. Here's what I have so far:

Teehing necklace giveaway

I swear by these necklaces!! Here's a way to win one!

http://vanessascraftynest.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-giveaway-inspired-by-finn-amber.html

In her own time

Months ago I started being told by people that it was time to get Maddy out of our bed. It was time for her to be in her own room. I mistakenly ignored my mommy instinct and what Maddy was telling me and agreed with them. We got her a bed and tried having her sleep in her room. Surprise! It didn't work.

Then I found this blog post at the beginning of January. It clicked! A light bulb went off. What was I doing!? We were all content with her in our bed. Why was I listening to others and trying to solve a problem that didn't exist!? We welcomed her back into our bed and things we're going great. She even started sleeping more in the twin bed that is sidecarred to our bed.

Then this week came.. All of a sudden she's asking "nurse bed? me bed!?". Meaning she wants to nurse in bed so she can go to sleep and she wants to sleep in her bed! Whoa! Where did that come from!? She's now starting the night in her bed and joining us in our bed around 4:00am. ...to be honest, I'm glad she (and Sean) sneak into our bed in the early morning. I love my morning snuggles and am not ready to give them up.

Brown Bear Brown Bear

Sean has really taken to the book Brown Bear Brown Bear lately. He pretty much has it memorized. He now wants to read it himself at bedtime.
So, here is bedtime story by Sean:


Maddy also seems to like it. Here she is reading it to her baby dolls.

Project 52: Week 7

Chocolate donut = happy Maddy


Dressed herself


Warming up first thing in the morning...he's sitting on the heat vent.