Banana Nut Bread

OK, this is my first attempt at sharing a recipe. I was very careful to be thorough, so if you choose to make this for yourself or your family, it should turn out like the final photos. This recipe is one of my family's favorites, although, my youngest son would MUCH prefer I leave the pecans out!!!

Banana Nut Bread

1 3/4 c. all purpose flour

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 c. shortening

2 eggs

1/2 c. chopped pecans

2/3 c. sugar

2 or 3 very ripe bananas

Sift flour and measure

Add baking powder

Add baking soda

Add salt

Sift dry ingredients together

Place shortening in a seperate bowl

With mixer on low speed, gradually add sugar to shortening and cream until fluffy

Add 1 egg

Start mixing on low speed, then beat to medium speed until smooth and light; about 30 seconds.

Add second egg and repeat

Add pecans

Mash bananas to measure 1 cup

Add flour mixture alternately with bananas; about half of each at a time.

Mix at low speed, just until blended, after all has been added.

Pour into greased loaf pan. (I use butter flavor PAM)

Bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 55 minutes. (Ovens may vary - you may want to start checking on it after 45 minutes)

The top of the banana nut bread should be medium brown.

Place on wire rack to cool for 15 - 20 minutes

After about 20 minutes, run a knife around the edge and remove from loaf pan onto the wire rack.

Enjoy!

*Note: For better flavor and easier slicing, wrap in waxed paper and keep overnight.

That's what my mother always did (to torture us), but mine never seems to make it to the waxed paper once my family smells it!!

It's finally among us...

Fall is my absolute FAVORITE time of year!






I like spring for the beautiful colorful flowers and the fresh greens of the grass and trees.







I like summer for it's vacation mode mentality, even though I have to work. I enjoy spending Saturdays at the beach with my family and friends.

















I like winter for cozying together with my family under blankets on the couch to watch movies and for hearty stews, soups and chili that become regular fare.








But............I LOVE FALL! I love the changing leaves. I loved the smell of burning leaves. I love wearing a sweatshirt and blue jeans to ball games. I love taking walks in the crisp air. I love making caramel apples. I love all the fall festivals, at church and downtown, and watching the kids plan their Halloween costumes. I love to see that big harvest moon in the evening sky. I love all the oranges, browns and yellows that adorn the outside and the inside, as I decorate my home. Fall is wonderful, don't you think?




What is your favorite season?


The seasons truly are a gift from our Heavenly Father:

Acts 14:17 says, "Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

Galatians 4:10 says, "You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!"

Ecclesiastes 31 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven"






Happy Fall Ya'll!

Col*lect"or\, n. - one who collects

Webster's Dictionary says a "Collector" is: One who collects things which are separate; esp., one who makes a business or practice of collecting works of art, objects in natural history, etc.

That would make me.......a COLLECTOR! I collect "things". For those of you who have read my profile, you already know this about me. I collect many different types of "things", from antiques, to sea shells. But today, I wanted to share with you my birdhouse collection. I have birdhouses all over my house, inside and out. I am also a bird watcher. Birds and birdhouses just kind of go together, don't you think? So, without further ado, here are some pictures of some of the birdhouses I've collected over the years. I have all sorts of birdhouses, from functional to decorative; made from metal to wood and even a few authentically "homemade" by a bird! And some items are just adorned with birdhouses on them. Take a look.

Decorative:



yes, even a couch pillow or two!:


from candy tins to coaster:







And even a dish towel and table runner:




Seasonal birdhouses: Happy 4th of July!
(but I leave them out all year 'round to show my patriotism! - Go, USA!)



My wooden ones:












metal ones:





ceramic ones:
(the colored one was hand painted by a close friend of mine!)



"beachy" one:






wind chimes:



and wall hangings:



framed art:





But my favorites would have to be the ones the birds made themselves:
(which I've adorned with baskets) The one on the right has an actual abandoned egg in it. I retrieved this nest from a potted plant on my front porch a few years back after the mama bird had, not ONE, but 3 batches of eggs! I've never seen anything like that before. This egg was left after all the babies flew away with their mother. I have kept it undisturbed. Not only for it's beauty, but also for the fear (and smell) of what might be inside.



But what would be the point of having all these birdhouses without some birds among them? So here are some birds that make my house their home:






These are antique framed art in the original frames. These photos do NOT do them justice! And the discoloration of the prints are priceless.




Well, I hope you've enjoyed strolling through my birdhouse gallery.

What types of things do YOU collect? I'd love to hear from you. Leave me a comment!

Have a blessed day. And remember:

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?
Matthew 6:25 - 27