kid-related ideas, inspiration, recipes etc
 |
| rhino photo from http://www.etsy.com/shop/MushroomWhimsy |
Feel free to make your own suggestions : D
We would also love to hear any funny kiddo stories.
 |
| "Naptime"! by http://www.etsy.com/shop/strawberryluna |
I have a little annecdote myself today...
~ Last night my husband was attempting to
explain to Mr.4 that cats,'probably just chase
mice for fun now, rather than eat them,
since pet cats generally eat food from a tin (can)'.
Mr.4 - what do you mean Daddy?
Hubs - well, they eat meat that comes a tin for cats,
from the supermarket.
Mr 4 - OH, you mean they have MOUSES in tins!
Me - Bwahahahahaha (quietly of course)!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 10th 2011
Today, I realised something cute about TJ (aka Mr.4 as above), that made me smile :-)
He loves doing crafts, and he especially likes anything sparkly, and anything to do with the sea
- well, today I noticed that he calls sequins
"SEA-QUEENS"!!!!! hehe Adorable!!
 |
| 'sea Queen' bendy doll - available from 'The Enchanted Tree' |
RECIPE TIME!
One of the things I sometimes like to send with my son to school for his packed lunch is homemade
Banana Bread.
{If you have never had banana bread, it's more of a cake than bread, what we would call a 'tea loaf' in the UK I guess}.
I have tried several recipes, but this one with the addition of caramelised apple is very moist and yummy!
 |
| image and recipe found here at a Whisk and a Spoon.com |
Banana & Apple Bread
For the apples:2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the banana bread:2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon kosher salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
¼ cup fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups very ripe mashed bananas (2 to 3)
Before you start:Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter and flour a 1 1/2-quart loaf pan.
To make the apples:Preheat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and brown sugar and heat until bubbling. Add the apples and cinnamon and sauté until golden and tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
To make the banana bread:
-In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
-In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
-In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
-In a small bowl, combine the orange juice and vanilla.
-Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three batches, alternating with the orange juice mixture, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each flour addition. Stir in the mashed bananas until combined. Then stir in the reserved apples.
-Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove to a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes before unmolding onto the rack to cool further.
*Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. The banana bread keeps well wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze well wrapped in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil for up to 3 weeks. Defrost (still wrapped) at room temperature.
