Friday Feels - 1st August

After yesterday's pretty epic post, I'm not feeling particularly wordy today... so I'll just head straight into my Feels for the week.

Hearing: I have a confession (don't we all!): the "Golden Oldies" radio station is one of my favourite to listen to. That said, I think it is horrible and terrifying that they are starting to play my favourite tunes from the 90's... Surely the 90's can't be in the golden oldies phase yet!?!
Today this song came on the radio, and instantly I was transported back to my childhood; specifically, the health club where my dad was the squash instructor, I could almost smell the place. I love how music can do that!

Seeing: My all-time favourite series of books is being made into a TV show which starts in the US next week, so I have been watching all sorts of trailers and interviews with the cast and author. It's had me squee'ing like a teenager... and I'm pretty sure I'm going to cry when I see the first episode!
If you haven't already heard about Outlander, trust me it won't be long until you do - it's going to be bigger than Game of Thrones!

Tasting: Last weekend I had five bananas that needed using up, so I made 38 banana choc chip muffins. I was sensible (for once!) and froze them in smaller batches so I could savour them... and yeah, we're down to our last four. Either Mr M and I are gluttons, or they were super delicious. I'm going for the latter!

Smelling: This week we have had some unseasonably warm weather - it was a sunny and glorious 24c yesterday! The trees and flowers responded to the warmth, and I could smell spring in the air. It was delightful

Touching: My cat has his fluffy winter coat at the mo, and it is so soft and touchable. The best part is on his belly, but because he is a psycho cat I can only rub it when he's asleep. It's just as well for me that he is really enjoying snoozing on the sofa whilst Mr M and I watch the telly.

How was your week? What is your favourite type of music to listen to - I'm always open to expanding my musical tastes :)

Gratitude Project - 1st to 3rd March

What a fab few days I've been having!! I've had a day just with my little family unit, a day with my Dad's side if the family and now a whole day with my brother and his gorgeous family.

I feel so blessed and blessed out; it's awesome!!

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Just to harp on about it; my bro. Seriously, he's awesome. His wife is awesome (and such a hoot!!). His kids are awesome. And they are all mine for the next two weeks!!

2. My extended family. We see each other two or three times a year, and it's always such fun when we get together. Rain stopped the boules comp this time, but there's always the next picnic!

3. My slow cooker. Came home from the family picnic to a house the smelt delicious. Dinner was practically ready and I had done next to nothing, bar some chopping. That's my kind of cooking! ;)

What's your favourite household gadget?

Bonus recipe included!

I've recently gone on a baking and cooking frenzy. I've never been one for trying new things - I have my dishes that I know I can cook, and I have stuck to them. Never venturing beyond what I know I can do.

For some reason, since the arrival of my Even Littler Monster (who ain't so little now!), I have become a little bit of a domestic goddess; especially in the kitchen.

I've downloaded the Taste.com.au app, and it has changed my (and Husbands!) culinary world. I've become more adventurous with dinners, and am ready to try pretty much anything in the kitchen.

But at the moment, I have a sweet tooth that cannot be denied. And so my time spent baking has increased ten-fold... Chocolate chip cookies, maple syrup muffins, scones (with lashings of jam and cream!)...

But last night (a huge thanks to Trishie at Under Lock and Key for the inspiration!), I made the most delicious banana choc-chip bread in the world...ever!!

I had some spare bananas lying around, and went on a "foodporn" odyssey on my favourite food website, Foodgawker, to find a recipe

After drooling my way through a number of recipes, I finally decided to use this one from Family Friendly Food.

Banana nut bread

Using 8-1/2 * 4-1/2 inch (21*11 cm) loaf pan.

1 3/4 cup flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
1 stick (115 grams) butter, room temperature
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
3 small (about 1 cup) bananas*, mashed
1/2 cup chocolate chips – optional
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Grease loaf pan with butter (place parchment paper on the bottom of the pan – optional).

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape the sides. Add the eggs and milk, and beat until smooth. Scrape the sides again. On low speed, add the flour mixture and bananas alternately, beating until smooth.

Fold in the chocolate chips, if using. Pour the batter into the greased pan. Scatter the nuts on top.

Bake for 1 hour or until done. (Start checking after 45 minutes. I think I baked it for 45 minutes.) Cool in the pan for 15 minutes and remove to a platter to cool completely, that is if you can resist not eating it right away…

I made a little tweak of my own (no nuts - I'm not a fan), and it ended up cooking for 55 minutes in my oven.

Husband and I had a slice with vanilla ice cream for dessert ... and we both went back for seconds!! (Thank goodness for breast feeding; I can fool myself into thinking I can get away with such indulgences! hehehe)

If you do nothing else with your left over bananas today, try this recipe - you won't regret it!

Whats your favourite after dinner indulgence? Feel free to share the recipe with me!

The day I (sort of) became a housewife

For the first time in my life, I did something housewifey.

Today I woke up with the overwhelming urge to make lemon and sugar crepes. Not sure what prompted the urge (I haven't made crepes for years!!), but figured I should just run with it... anyway, it would be a lovely treat for the Little Monster.

So I googled a crepe recipe - thank goodness for iphones!! - and set about making a culinary delight for the family.

Husband came into the kitchen shouting "Who are you and what have you done with my wife!?!!"

Oh ho ho, such a funny man.

But to be fair to him, it is the first time in almost 9 years that I have ever made crepes for breakfast, and on a workday at that!

They weren't very attractive crepes (hence not using my own photo), but they were yummo! I gave the Little Monster half a crepe with jam (didn't think it would be nice to give him to the daycare lady all hyped up on sugar).... he had a mouthful, but wasn't impressed.

However, when he had a mouthful of Husbands sugared up crepe, his eyes lit up and I could almost see the sugar rush happen before my eyes.... So daycare lady; sorry about the hyperactive child this morning, I hope his come down wasn't too intolerable.

What deliciousness have you surprised your family (or yourself!) with?

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