Thursday, June 10, 2010

Here's a link to a blog my workplace, Heritage of Kentucky, just started:  http://abstinenceiscool.blogspot.com/ 
I wrote the post, Have your cake, and eat it too.  
Happy 20 years to "us"!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Life on Lansill - Go Bananas!

When life gives you ripe bananas, make banana bread.  Or banana cake.  Or banana muffins.

We quite frequently end up with over ripe bananas, too brown and mushy to just eat.  Here's some of my favorite banana recipes.  Hope you enjoy.


Banana Bread
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
2/3 c sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 c mashed ripe banana (2-3 medium bananas)
1/3 c margarine or butter
2 Tbs milk
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a large mixer bowl combine 1 cup of the flour, the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add mashed banana, margarine or butter, and milk.  Beat with an electric mixer on low speed till blended, then on high spped for 2 minutes.  Add eggs and remaining flour, beat till blended.
Pour into a greased 8x4x2 inch loaf pan.  Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 55-60 minutes or till a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack.  Remove from the pan, cool thoroughly on a wire rack.  

Banana Cake
1 c sugar
1/2 c unsalted butter or margarine
2 eggs
4 ripe bananas, mashed
2 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat over to 375 degrees F.  Grease and flour one 9 x 13 inch cake pan.  Cream together the butter or margarine and the sugar.  Add eggs, bananas, flour, soda, salt, and vanilla.  Mix thoroughly and pour batter into the prepared pan.  Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes.  Cool and frost cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
4 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 c butter or margarine
1 Tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 c powdered sugar
Beat cream cheese, butter or margarine, milk and vanilla until creamy.  Mix in powdered sugar until smooth.

Banana Cake 2, aka Banana Birthday Cake
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1/2 c brown sugar
2 medium mashed bananas
1 c water
1/2 c vegetable oil
3 large eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour cake or cupcake pan(s).  Mix all ingredients with mixer on low for 1 minute, then on medium for 2 minutes.  Pour batter into pan(s).  Bake at 350 degrees F, using timing instructions on cake mix box for pan(s) you're using.  Frost with Chocolate Frosting.

Chocolate Frosting
3 c powdered sugar
2/3 c cocoa
1/3 c milk
1/2 c margarine
1 tsp vanilla
Mix sugar and cocoa.  Melt margarine, then add margarine, milk and vanilla to sugar/cocoa blend.  Beat for a few minutes.  For thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar.


Banana Oat Muffins
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 c rolled oats
1/2 c white sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
3/4 c milk
1/3 c vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c mashed banana
1/2 c - 1 c semi sweet mini chocolate chips (optional)
Combine flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt.  In a large bowl, beat the egg lightly.  Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla.  Add the mashed banana, and combine thoroughly.  Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until just combined.  Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper bake cups, and divide the batter among them.  Bake at 400 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Life on Lansill - Monck Summer Favorites

Please, leave the hookah at home.  Thanks.

One of my absolute favorite things to do in Lexington is attend the summer jazz series on Tuesday nights at Ecton Park.  Our family enjoys packing a picnic dinner, loading up some lawn chairs and a quilt, and relaxing to a couple hours of live music.  

Last night was our first Ecton Park jazz night of the season.  The four of us were quite happy to go.  Besides the music, it's an excellent venue for people watching.  Last night the people watching went up a notch when the odd man with the hookah showed up.   If you're unfamiliar with what a hookah is, please check this sight:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hookah.  (You can always count on wikipedia to come through. . . )  

So, besides the dogs on leashes that aren't always keen on other dogs, local celebrities, and senior citizens trying to hide their open containers of wine (which is not allowed in our city parks), we now have Hookah Man to search out again.   I can't wait until next Tuesday.