i'd like to be...

under the sea, in an octopus' garden in the shade.

Corolla, NC.
* except top left- that was taken in the plane over NYC on the way to NC.

The Outer Banks, NC

Love the Outer Banks!

Who: Us and family from his side.
What: fishing, kayaking, beach bummin, and visiting light houses.
Wear: Lived in bathing suits, tube tops, short/maxi skirts, not to mention my newly found hat.

I had such a great time, I was bummed that I couldn't stay the entire week with everyone.  I have a ton of pics but I will put those up on FB.

Fun things to do in Corolla- Fishin, go Crabbin (delicious blue crabs), fillet 24 perch (okay, 4 and my fiance did the rest), kayak (and try to walk in marshes and sink thigh deep in the mud- my fiance), talk, laugh, and drink with my soon to be family (even though I feel as if they are already), watch an 87 year old grandpa play quarters (he's too much!), get my tail beat by an 8 year old in pool (no lie), beach bummin, boogie boarding, seeing ghost crabs, coyotes, and foxes at night... and to think I was only there a few days.

banana bread for your homestead

Obviously by the title of this blog - I love banana bread.  I don't know about you, but we are guilty of over buying produce (example : bananas) and then not making it until it comes to "Shit! We have to use this stuff."

That's why I love this recipe.

You need the bananas to be mushy, black (sans mold) and over ripe.

When I wasn't working as much I used to make it all the time, but I haven't in a while...until I noticed  our fruit bowl was full of over ripe bananas.

BONUS: This week we are traveling to Corolla, NC.  If my snack can brave LaGuardia Airport and TSA without getting (too) smashed - we can all enjoy.

There are a million alterations to my original recipe.

Here are some yummies to add

Berries, a coffee cake crumble top (see bottom), nuts, dried chopped apricots, chocolate chips, raisins... or (if your feeling daring) all of the above.  For this particular batch I am going tame because I am not sure if any one has nut allergies, etc...

Banana Bread (for your homestead)

2 cups all-purpose flour (I use whole wheat!)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2-3 Overripe smashed bananas

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.  Or use these- they make individual little loaves and cook faster than the hour cook time- if you have a toaster oven and use these they will only cook in 45 minutes- The previous two were tips from my Bubbie (yiddish for grandma) sometimes Bubbies know best when it comes to baking...but shhh don't tell them!
3. In a large bowl, combine EVERYTHING!  You will get an arm work out.  I personally like chunks in my b.bread but if you don't - beat the eggs, sugar and bananas in a separate dish until it's smooth, then combine everything.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.
5. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

For a nutty coffee cake crumble on top

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar (i like mixing white and brown for this)

1/4 cup chopped almonds

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons cold butter

Teaspoon of Cinnamon

Add ingredients together and fold, you want a lumpy consistency, you have to use cold butter to obtain the lumps... Crumble over batter in pans and bake as directed above.

enjoy.

Update: Banana Bread was successfully transported and made a great addition to an early morning snack before fishing, it didn't last past day one.