BEST BANANA BREAD -- EVAH!!!

I wish I could take credit

for this recipe but it comes from

my sweet friend, Barb D.

She used to make it for her hubby,

our friend, Jeff, before he passed away.

It is, hands down,

THE BEST 

BANANA BREAD EVER~~

This time of year we have lots of

OVERRIPE bananas

and this is the perfect recipe 

to use them up.

Barb, I added a couple of things for our family---

Sugar and Vanilla-

You know me!

Here is some of what you will need--

Mixing-It looks like this:

Here you go!

Banana Bread- Barb's Recipe

1 Box KRUSTEAZ banana bread mix (or Duncan Hines/any brand)

1/4 cup flour

1/3 cup sugar*

1/2 cup nuts (or to taste)

3 small ripe bananas (DO NOT MASH)-quarter lengthwise and dice into small pieces (slightly larger than peas)

3 eggs

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon good vanilla*

In large bowl:  Combine mix, flour, sugar and nuts.  Toss diced bananas into dry mix and stir to coat.

In separate bowl: Whisk together- eggs, water, oil & vanilla. Add to dry mix.

Stir just until moist.  

Sprinkle extra nuts on top if desired.

I use two regular size loaf pans and make 2 loaves.  Barb uses a large loaf pan and makes one big loaf.

Bake @ 350° -about 45 minutes for small loaves-over an hour for large loaf-or until tester comes out clean.

Barb sometimes adds: peeled apple, pear, coconut, drained crushed pineapple.  If you add fruit cut back on water content.

*I added the sugar and vanilla-it was not part of Barb’s original recipe—but you know me!

My son is a banana bread NUT 

(little play on words there).  

He says this is the best he has ever had.

So- there you have it.

ALL the monkeys in my family

seem to like it....

Except for THIS ONE!

He seems to like his

BANANA BOTTLE

better than anything.

I guess it is better than drinking THIS---

which I may resort to if life doesn't 

settle down here soon.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER DAY!

I will be around to visit you soon!

HAPPY, BLESSED FOURTH OF JULY!!!

It is a day for celebration

for most of us.

We wave our flags 

and grill our burgers

and wolf down our hot dogs.

We stand in line for dripping

ice cream cones

and we stare at the sky

in awe as fireworks

feed us a feast for our eyes.

We are free.

What a blessing to be free.

But that freedom comes at a cost.

A big cost.

I see it every day I work at the VA.

I see the sacrifices made

 by men and women

to ensure our freedom.

So, take just a moment today

and whisper a

THANK YOU

to all those that fought for us

on this, and foreign, land.

Wing a prayer up 

for those families left behind

when their sons and daughters,

husbands and wives,

gave their lives for all of us.

Say a prayer, too,

for all those who served

and whose lives are forever altered.

Prayers, too, for those in

ACTIVE SERVICE.

I am so in debt to all of you!

I will leave you with one of my

very favorite photos

of SweetCheeks.

This was taken on our dock

about 4 years ago when the

fireworks were

bursting in the air over the bay.

THAT is 

WONDER & AWE

I hope I never lose that

WONDER & AWE

and I hope I never lose

my appreciation for this

GREAT COUNTRY.

GOD BLESS THE USA!

At 1pm today our

granddaughter, Lulu,

(Alana in real life)

will start the city festivities by singing

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER

and

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

We are so proud and so blessed!

Have a wonderful, safe

 4th of July!