Marbled Nutella Banana Bread

For my bracelet party tomorrow, I wanted to make a few sweets. While Anabelle was napping and Noah was at school, I got to work. I made Hello Dollies, Eatmore Bars, and with the browning bananas that were on my counter, I wanted to make a banana bread. I thought it was going to be a peanut butter one that I saw on Pinterest but I didn't have the wheat germ flour it called for, so I clicked on something else that looked interesting...Marbled Nutella Banana Bread...pardon me, Nutella in banana bread!?? IM IN!!!!

The recipe was easy, and quick, with just one extra step of dividing the batter, adding some nutella and spooning it into the pan...it has a marvelous crunchy top, and a lovely soft centre, I will definitely be making this again!!

Instead of writing out the entire recipe, I have attached the link from the Blog 'For Goodness Sake' www.fgscatering.com

I probably could have done better "swirling" but I think it ended up looking pretty darn good! FYI, It calls for 1 1/4 cup mashed banana, I used 3 bananas (just to make it a bit easier!).

http://www.fgscatering.com/2011/08/marbled-nutella-banana-bread_03.html

K

so simple, so useful, so chic!

Please don't burst my bubble if you have seen these before! Even if you have, I have not, and I thought it was the BEST idea! I was so excited to see it on Pinterest, and if it hadn't been so late at night I would have headed out then and there to get the supplies!! I am so looking forward to using these at my next event!!

I have never been a fan of wine charms, so I thought this was a modern swing on wine glass labelling...check it out!

So incredibly easy to do!! I had a can of chalkboard paint already (got it at HomeDepot), so I just got some wine glasses from the dollar store, and dipped them! I laid down some newspaper, then put my cookie cooling rack on top of the paper, after I dipped them, I place them on the rack...I let the first coat dry, then dipped them again...this is what takes a while....I put them back on the rack and left them overnight. The next morning, I flipped them all over, and with a sponge brush, smoothed out the bottoms with a bit more paint...and let them dry.

Mine came out a bit bumpy, but they are still easy to write on! I am curious to see how they wash up?? I know I wipe my chalkboard frame with a wet cloth, but because this is stemware, that you will drink out of, they need to be washed....I will let you know how that goes! I may give them a few more days to completely dry before I try them out!

What a cute gift! A set of wine glasses with a pack of chalk!

Now wasn't that an awesome craft to wait for!!! Now go try it out! They will be a hit over the holidays!!

K

The Other Room

My dad showed his amazing talents yet again as the Director of Sales for the new store

'The Other Room' in North Vancouver. This past Thursday was the introductory party for the new store, a division of Country Furniture. It was a great night with a live DJ, great drinks and food, great company, an amazing space, and great lines of furniture!

Modernly fresh and clean The Other Room houses gorgeously sleek pieces. I had my eye on an amazing horn legged aluminum table....here are a few pics from the night.

Head over and check them out, introduce yourself to my dad, Gordon Guenter!!!

The Other Room

1626 Lloyd Avenue, North Vancouer

Tuesday-Saturday 10-6

Sunday closed

Monday by appointment

K

pork tenderloin

I love pork tenderloin. I hate the look at it before you cook it, but its a really nice, lean, meat. I posted a rubbed bbq pork tenderloin this past summer that was delicious, but since its snowing, I thought I would try something out in the oven. I thought of what I had in the house to make my own little easy marinade. This is what I did....

1/4 cup oil

3 crushed garlic cloves

1 tsp of dried oregano

a few shakes of salt and pepper

Combine all the ingredients, spear the pork all over with a knife (so the juice can seep inside), pour the marinade over the pork, or baste with a silicone brush. Bake at 375 for about 40 minutes..I think I baked mine longer, but its done when no longer pink inside (time may differ for a larger piece of meat). Let the pork sit out of the oven for 10 minutes, slice and serve!

This picture is not the best colour palette, I needed something green, was too lazy to make some green beans, but the cheddar mashed potatoes and the oyster mushrooms did the trick!!

Try this one out, it was super easy and really tasty! Fredo came home late this night for dinner, so I sliced his meat up and poured the drippings over it so that I could wash the pan...next time, I will spoon some drippings over each serving!

Happy weekend!

K

Bestest Lasagna EVER

Maybe not the best lasagna for you, but the best tasting lasagna I have EVER had. I make this all the time, thank you to my Auntie Jenny for the recipe! I thought that I had blogged about this one already, my apologies!!!

Lasagna

1 tbsp vegetable oil

3 tbsp butter

2 crushed garlic cloves

1/2 cup chopped onion

2/3 cup chopped celery

2/3 cup chopped carrot

1 lb lean ground beef

salt/pepper

1 cup milk

pinch of nutmeg

1 cup dry white wine or beef stock

1 large can of plum tomatoes

1 cup parmesan cheese

Fresh lasagna pasta sheets (I get mine at Bosa Foods 8 sheets for $3.99 I think)

Put oil, butter, onions and garlic into a large pot. Over medium heat, cook until onion is translucent-add celery and carrot, cook about 2 minutes. Add the ground beef, large pinch of salt and some pepper. Crumble the beef and cook until no longer pink. Add milk and let simmer until it has bubbled away. Add pinch of nutmeg, about 1/4 tsp. Add wine or stock and let simmer until liquid has evaporated. Add tomatoes and stir thoroughly. When it begins to bubble, turn the heat down to a bare simmer, and cook uncovered for 3 hours.

Bechamel Sauce

3 cups of milk

6 tbsp butter

4 1/2 tbsp flour

1/4 tsp of salt

Put milk in a saucepan and heat on medium heat, bring just to the verge of boiling. In a different pot, melt the butter on low heat. Add the flour to the melted butter, whisking so it doesn't burn. Whisk consistently for 2 minutes. Slowly add the warm milk, whisking with one hand, while pouring the milk with the other. Whisk until all the milk is used. Put pan back on low heat, add salt, whisk until thick, resembling thick cream. Add to the tomato sauce, mix well, set aside, off the heat.

Preheat oven to 350, smear you 9" x 13" pan with butter, spoon some sauce in the pan, then put your first layer of pasta. Pour more sauce, then sprinkle with parmesan cheese, another layer of pasta, repeat until you end with a layer of sauce and parmesan cheese, dot with butter on the top.

Bake until a golden crust forms on top, around 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven and let settle for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!!

Over the holidays!

Here are some things that I am wanting to do with my family over the holidays...

Visit the North Pole, right here in BC

www.northpolebc.com

Stanley Park Christmas Train

http://vancouver.ca/parks/events/brightnights/

Dogwood Christmas Tree Farm

http://www.dogwoodchristmastreefarm.com/Dogwood_Christmas_Tree_Farm/Welcome.html

Vandusen Gardens Festival of Lights

http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/vandusen/website/events/fol.htm

Santa Claus Parade

vancouver.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=vancouver&cdn=citiestowns&tm=13&f=00&su=p554.19.336.ip_&tt=3&bt=0&bts=0&st=10&zu=http%3A//rogerssantaclausparade.com/

The Peak of Christmas on Grouse Mountain

http://www.grousemountain.com/peak-of-christmas

What are some things you do with your family over the holidays??

K

who would have thunk!?

This January I start a course, The Responsible Adult course, a course that will allow me to substitute in a preschool setting, as well as some other things....I am really looking forward to this, for many reasons. Who would have thunk that I would miss doing homework!? I miss trying, trying for a good grade, trying for praise, working for recognition...I am eager to take a test, get results, and not a pregnancy test, or a Gestational Diabetes test.....a real test, that will earn me certification :-)

I don't get graded for making a good dinner, doing a good job at cleaning the house, making the beds, laundry...I must tell you I think I would mostly get straight A's if I did (is that being narcissistic?) oh well, I said it anyway...maybe a B- when it comes to cleaning......I know I do great at my job, I know I enjoy my meals, my baking, my crafty skills...but I am truly looking forward to completing homework, doing quizzes, and having my name on a certificate, even if it isn't a degree...

Do I wish I would have gone to University? Sure, but I still wonder what I would have taken there!? I always wanted to me a mom, but somehow, these days, it just doesn't cut it...I struggle all the time thinking of things I would be good at, courses to take, programs to enroll in...I often look at the Special Education Assistant Program....but I just don't think I am cut out for that...I miss retail, I miss my customers, I miss smiling and getting a smile back (most of the time) I miss wrapping, and ringing in sales...I miss strolling in with my coffee, eager for the sales of the day...

Is is bad to say I miss a full paycheck!? or to say I miss the hustle and bustle of a full time job...being involved in something outside of the house....being part of 'the' crowd...sigh.....why is it that we always want the things we don't have!? No, I am not truthfully grateful everyday for the things I have, I am envious, jealous, and sometimes get resentful...I can admit that, and I think that its only natural...there are days that I want what everyone else has...I would change some things if I could...I think we all would, wether they are big or small...I think you are kidding yourself if you say you wouldn't...but what I always say to myself is, "things could always be worse". It doesn't mean I love my kids any less, or my husband or my family....and for any of you who think that came out wrong, I am grateful, just some days I need some more reassurance than others.....

I will continue searching for something that makes my heart and bank account happy..it has to be out there somewhere, and I know I will rock this course, it's been a long time coming!

K

made my heart smile....

Sometimes, when I sit to write a posting, I wonder who is even going to read, or care what I have to say.....I often feel silly, or slightly embarrassed to hit the 'post' button...sometimes I write, not thinking anyone will even look..today, I had someone tell me one of my posts made their day, put them in a better mood.....that, made my heart smile. I don't use proper grammar, I am sure I make spelling mistakes, and don't always use appropriate english, but I write what my mind says, what my heart says. I am not a journalist, I am a daughter, a grand-daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a friend...I enjoy sharing wonderful things, whether it's a recipe, a good laugh, a moment with my family, an event.....what I love the most, is that what I feel like writing, you read...and my most favorite compliments, come from those who don't even have Facebook, which means they have to sign into my blog (you know who you are xo) to see my postings, they don't just show up on their wall...this compliment today, came from one of you, and it truly did make MY day, so thank you. Thank you for calling me just to tell me that, it made my heart smile.

We all underestimate the power of a phone call...I recognized this when I called my grandpa to speak to him one last time before he passed....to hear his voice was magic, like I was right there with him in that hospital bed....since that phone call, I call my grandma a few times a week, I call my other grandpa just to say hello, hows the weather...I called a dear friend to see how she was feeling, she mentioned she was sick in an email, she is 21 weeks pregnant, I could have sent a text, I called. I called a family friend to say sorry about the loss of her husband....she told me she loved me, thank you for calling, that made my heart smile.

Tonight at a family dinner, I over heard my son telling his cousins at the table "we should be grateful we have food, some kids don't have any" he does listen, that, made my heart smile....

I recently had a woman tell me she loved my nature, that too made my heart smile...

Thank you, to all the things that make my heart smile, it sure feels good.

K

a must get!

I have the perfect thing for stocking stuffers, goodie bags, or birthday gift add ons...the Loot Bag combo from Mabel's Labels is an incredible steal of a deal for only $30! You get 6 sets of DIFFERENT name tags, hence the 'loot bag' name for this combo, giving you one large metal bag tag, and five sticky name tags (dishwasher and microwave proof). I know previously I have ordered similar labels through Olivers Labels, but seeing as Noah's school is doing a fundraiser, I thought I would give them a shot for all the upcoming events, and Christmas.....

http://www.gilmore.mabel.ca/products/colourful+loot+bag+combo

Quick and convenient shipping, I chose standard delivery, and they came in about a week. Get creating yours today!! I loved the bright colours and cute little designs you could choose from, personalizing each and every set!! My second round of these should be on their way! A great way to support a local preschool, and a Canadian Business!!

K

Just in time for Christmas..

"On the day that we met and I put you to bed,

I noticed a crown on the top of your head"

"It was made up of sparkling, glimmering things

like moonlight and fireflies, and dragonfly wings."

The Crown on Your Head by Nancy Tillman

Nancy Tillman has come out with another book just in time for Christmas! Thank you to the Coscto catalogue for letting me know, I nabbed one the other day for $12.49. The gorgeous illustrations, and heart wrenching words, make her books my favorite for bedtime, although I can never make it to the end without crying...

If you are not familiar with Nancy Tillman, start now! Her books are special, great keepers to have in your child's library. On her website, you can view trailers for all her books...get your tissue!

K

The Invisible Mom

Standing watching our kids play after preschool, a bunch of us mom's got talking....we were so relieved to hear we were all having behavior and listening issues with our kids....the talking back, having an answer for everything, the not listening when we tell them "stop jumping on the couch!" and so on...I often tell Noah I am going to take him to the Doctor to get his ears cleaned out, they must be full of wax or something!!?? I will have to try something new...it really is not working....when asking to clean up the toys, or put something in his room, there is no response, instead he just goes and does something else that pisses me off...I always say out loud, "I might as well be talking to myself!"...the other night at dinner, he wasn't eating...I was having a bad day, I lost it, I bent down in his face and told him he should thank his lucky stars there is even food on his table!! He isn't even 4.......but it felt right in that moment. I left the room, and cried.

Everyday seems the same, wake up, bathroom, make coffee, make breakfast, usually eggs and toast per Noah's request, clean up the mess, make the beds, get Anabelle dressed, then Noah, brush teeth, get myself ready, remember to brush my teeth, drink cold coffee, eat nothing for breakfast because then I will have to clean up another mess, my mess....leave for work, come home, get Noah, start to make dinner, serve dinner, fight with Noah about eating dinner, clean up dinner, make coffee, get Anabelle ready for bed, brush her teeth, put her to bed, fight with Noah to get his jammies on, have my coffee, give up and let Noah lie on the couch and watch cartoons (lately, letting him fall asleep there, BAD) put him into bed, finish my cold coffee, put my feet up, put myself to bed, ugh......I don't want to get back up to brush my teeth.......

I received an email this morning that spoke volumes...it came in perfect time, yes it made me cry, but it made so much sense. I received it from another mom at the preschool, I forwarded it onto some other moms, my sisters, my mom...the subject read, The Invisible Mom...

Here is the link to read the story, read it in full, it made my day....

http://blushink.com/the-invisible-mom/

Thank You to blushink.com for the link on your blog!!

Have a great weekend!!

K

a little fix

I felt my living room needed a little fix..it has been feeling too dark, possibly why I have been in a bad mood for the last while!? It needed a pick me up, so me and the kids headed to IKEA. I had seen quite a few new things in the catalogue that I wanted to check out in real.

Noah fell asleep on the way there, and Anabelle had her goldfish crackers, so we were good to go, this wasn't going to be a chaotic trip that I was going to regret, leaving my items at the front, and storming out with screaming kids and no bags....we all know that has happened numerous times before!

For $58.18 I got a great little fix! Two picture frames, a throw, two toss cushions, a feather insert and a great piece of fabric for new pillows in the bedroom!!

KVILL Frame $6.99

(you would never know this frame was plastic!)

IDGRAN Throw $14.99 VALBORG Cushion 16x24 $6.99 Feather Insert $6.00

Found in the As-Is section, just over a meter of fabric for $3.00

There were so many great inexpensive things that I would have loved to get! Great bedding, great area rugs, and awesome pretend play for kids!! Best of all, I left with my cool, I wonder if there was an attitude adjustment on the bill!?

Have a great day!!

K