Banana Bread

Holiday baking is starting at our house today. I was given the recipe below from my friend, Jennifer Brands, and it was given to her by her grandmother. Compare it to your recipe and see what difference there is. I like the texture of this banana bread better than other recipes I've tried. (The loaf below has a few blueberries added which are not included in the written recipe). Our house smells of baking, and we have a beautiful moist loaf of bread to enjoy through the next week! Banana Bread

1 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs

2 tablespoons milk

3 ripe bananas

nuts if desired

Mix and sift dry ingredients. Add eggs milk and melted butter. Add mashed bananas. Bake at 325 degrees for one hour or longer. Yum!!

Many years ago, when Willow and I were in high school, we use to eat banana bread and butter sandwiches for lunch. We thought our lunches were a bit better than what others had to eat!

I always think of that tidbit when baking banana bread! :)

New Yarn.....

November 2nd I posted about going to White Oak Alpaca Farm in Woodland, Washington. (The post is titled, "Field trip to Woodland, Wa.)While at the farm my eye was on a specific yarn and it is now in my possession. Karen Finch mailed me two beautiful skeins of alpaca, merino wool and silk blended yarn recently. The color is a lovely fawn brown, and Karen sent me a picture of the very alpaca the yarn came from. Her name is Minuet. Karen names each animal, and knows which alpaca the yarn has come from by looking at the color, and texture. I find that very endearing and it makes this yarn quite special to me. Now, what do I knit? I am soliciting ideas from those of you who have anything to suggest!! There are 286 yards in each skein. Think simple and do share your ideas!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

With hearts full of Thanksgiving we wish all a good day!!

Take a moment to listen to this lovely song "For the Beauty of the Earth," coming from

You Tube....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHIfRLNYUGw

Get a Kleenex ready!

May God meet you today right where you are in life, and may you know Him personally in heart, soul, and mind. Metolius River/Camp Sherman, Oregon

Sewing continued....

After saying we would share more of our finished sewing projects from our days of play, there was a realization that we can't show everything. It's that time of year to create things for our loved ones, and it would be a shame to ruin the surprise. I know you understand, but here are two bags that Barbara made. Last Christmas I sewed the bags for my girls, and Barbara had fun with the pattern this year! Her girls won't be looking... so we are safe. The pattern is called Brynne's Bag, and comes from The Pine Needle in Lake Oswego, Oregon. It can be ordered by calling 800-655-5632, or on their web site at http://www.pineneedlequiltshop.com/

The Pine Needle is one of the nicest quilts shops around, and the web site gives a good idea of all they offer!

The fabrics Barbara chose are rich, and add a certain flair to the bags! There are two nice -sized pockets inside, and each bag will soon have large buttons for a closure. These bags are large enough to use for books, groceries, or as a purse. Each is lined with a co-ordinating fabric, and the handles are long enough to throw over a shoulder.

One more quick wall hanging to show. Barbara made this one from a pattern called "Let it Snow", created by Country Lore Designs. She assured me it was not difficult to put together, and a fun one to do in fabrics to match a color palette of any choice. We have had a great couple of days and have many more to plan for!! Friends are a treasure!

Sewing.....

My dear friend, Barbara, arrived earlier today from the great state of Kansas. We have enjoyed knowing each other for about twenty-seven years, and make time for each other at least once a year. We enjoy sewing together, and before dinner time we had these chicken pincushions stuffed and sewn up! The instruction we followed were just about impossible to decipher. There was quite a bit of trial and error! Alas...three rock stuffed, quilted chickens are done, and ready for gift giving. Tomorrow we are taking a quick trip to two quilt shops near our home, and by noon will be back sewing. These are the best of times for us! As the week progresses there will be more projects to share. Do come back to check-in!

Each chicken has it's own personality, unique shape and size.

Canby, Oregon Home For Sale!

Looking for a home in the Pacific Northwest? Canby, Oregon is just the sort of town that draws people, and this is a home to consider! The location alone is prime to living comfortably within walking distance of shopping, doctors, library, and recreation. A custom home, built true to the craftsman style, but with the comfort of today. The interior is warm, inviting, and perfect for a growing family, or for couples who enjoy fine living. Go to the web site to see and learn more about this beautiful home: http://www.buymycanbyhome.com/

Doing....photos.

Our upstairs bonus room is supposed to be a place for the children to play, only it doesn't work that way right now. I am going through photos, and the room is not a very good place for anyone but me!! Today I have managed to throw out several piles of bad pictures, excess paper, and years of old greeting cards! I'm talking about a ridiculous amount of paper! In and through the boxes of photos there have been a few pictures that stop me in my tracks, and I share one of these with you. This was taken in 1956, it is of me with my brother Reed. I believe there is a sling shot over my brother's shoulder, which was his favorite toy. The overalls I have on were worn quite a bit, judging from the knees. It was a June day. There is a Peace rose blooming to my right. There isn't anything like a picture to bring back a memory in the life of a family! This one does that for me. It was a sweet day! Reed is gone but he's smiling with me!