Banana Bread Snack Cake...

This recipe is so easy and very yummy!  I found the recipe from a blog I read on a regular basis. Her name is Jessica and the name of her blog is how Sweet it is. She is amazing and oh so funny! I don't know how she does it, but she posts almost every single day! I consider myself lucky if I get 4 posts in a month. Every recipe that I have tried of hers is delicious and her photos are amazing. You must stop by her blog for a visit...

I made this last night and ate half of it all by myself. I can't even blame Olivia for even a small portion of it missing.

There's nothing wrong with eating cake for dinner is there?! I didn't think so...

Ingredients...
Makes 9-12 Squares

1 large egg

1/3 cup loosely packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (I used cinnamon sugar)

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Directions...

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8×8 baking pan with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, whisk egg and brown sugar until smooth. Add in vanilla extract and mashed bananas, mixing until combined. Add in flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt, mixing until the batter comes together. Add in melted butter and mix until evenly distributed.

Pour batter in the baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until center is no longer jiggly and edges are golden. Top with a cream cheese glaze, if desired.

Jessica's Note:  You can definitely sub in all-purpose flour, but she would not use regular whole wheat.

Whipped Cream Cheese Glaze

1/4 cup whipped cream cheese, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup powdered sugar

4-5 tablespoons heavy cream, or more depending on texture

In a bowl, whisk cream cheese vigorously until it smoothes out. Add in sugar, vanilla and cream one tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly. This glaze will be a bit thicker (almost like a thin frosting), so add more or less cream depending on your desired consistency.

This little snack cake is super moist and I'm on the fence as to which I like better. With the glaze or without the glaze? It's just as yummy either way. Thank you Jessica for another great recipe!

XoXo,

A Fabulous Stain Remover...

Wish I could say I came up with the idea of mixing these two ingredients, but nope, I did not... I found this article awhile back on the Glamour website entitled, "The Only Spot Remover You'll Ever Need."  Of course, I wanted to try this spot remover, on my 3 white tops that now have yellowing, under the arms. Ugh! I can't believe I'm telling you this ~ It sounds disgusting, right?! But I can't be the only one that has this problem...

The stain remover mixture consists of one part Dawn Dishwashing Liquid mixed with two parts Hydrogen Peroxide. I mixed mine in a spray bottle from the dollar store. I then spayed the fabric, and with a old toothbrush I scrubbed for a few minutes. On one of the tops I sprinkled with a little baking soda for some extra scrubbing power. I wanted to see if that top came out any better than the other two. Guess what? It was exactly the same! So don't bother with the baking soda...

I know I know... It is really gross, but I had to show you these so you would know just how fabulous this stain remover is!

As soon as I started spraying the fabric with the stain remover, the yellow ick (like that word?) started foaming off the shirt. It was amazing. Really it was! Well... I thought so.  After spraying/scrubbing for a few minutes, I just let the stain remover soak in for an hour. Then threw them in the washer as usual. Nothing fancy there. I'm very excited to be able to wear my white tops again! The yellow is completely gone...

See... This is a fabulous stain remover! You have to try this. Really you do!
XoXo,

Some Words of Wisdom...

Have a great day! I'm enjoying my day off. Just doing a little of this and a little of that...
XoXo,

I Love Farmhouse Sinks...

 I  do hope that everyone had a fabulous holiday break and celebrated the New Year just the way they wished! Either quietly or with some great friends, and maybe with a sparkler or two.  I love the feeling of starting fresh with a brand new year! There is always something very exciting about a New Year! It's yours for the taking and it comes with so many possibilities. Maybe to start a new hobby, get inspired to organize your life, or maybe just to start accomplishing things you have always wanted to do...

 I really adore farmhouse sinks! Really really!! Have loved them for as long as I can remember. They look so country/cottage cozy to me, and I would love to have one in my little kitchen this year! I have decided that this is going to go on the top of my goal list for 2012!  I have the good ole stand ins... " I'm going to start going to the gym four times a week, or I'm not going to drink diet soda anymore, and no more McDonald's french fries with extra salt!" Did I really just say no more french fries with extra salt? That's so crazy (smiling). I'm thinking getting a farmhouse sink will be a much more realistic goal I can keep...

I never before realized just how many different shapes/sizes and styles there are to a farmhouse sink.  I love all of the choices that I have!  Also, another name for this type of sink is an "Apron Front Sink."

Such a fresh pretty shade of blue...

I would love marble counter~tops too...

Ok...Just a few more photos. I can't help it! I love looking for inspiration...

Love this shade of green...

Maybe just maybe... You now want a farmhouse sink! Have a great week~end...

XoXo,


P.S... All of these photos were found from the Country Living/House Beautiful websites...