Banana Drop Cookies

Oh the possibilities!!

What to do, what to do with this plethora of bananas, two ripe with old age no less! Smoothies? Nay. Banana pudding? Nope. How about banana bread? You're getting closer! Banana drop cookies! They have been a staple to my existence thus far. I know they've been around longer than I; I'm positive I consumed one in the womb. Okay I'm lying, I can't remember that far back but seriously, my granny has always had plenty of them around for her grandchildren to consume at their {our} leisure. I'm guessing she's had a lot of overripe bananas in her day. 

They're squishy, cakey, light, and flakey. <--that was totally on accident and I love it. They're moist {a lot of people despise that word, do you?}. They're quite heavenly and not like most cookies. You'll like them best with a nice warm cup of joe. Would you like the recipe? Okay, here goes.

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cup shortening       :::i used coconut oil! it's supposed to be healthier!!:::

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup mashed, ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)    :::i left those stinkers out this time:::

1/4 cup granulated sugar 

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In large bowl beat 1 1/4 cups sugar, shortening (or coconut oil) and vanilla until fluffy. Beat in eggs, then bananas. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and soda. Beat into sugar mixture. Stir in nuts (but I'm telling you they're better without them!). Chill 30 minutes (I know...you're like, say what?!!! JUST DO it. I don't want to know what happens if you don't.) Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets. Combine 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over cookies. 

Bake 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. (Mine were done at 8...ovens vary y'all)

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Funny story time...

My granny gave me this recipe over the phone once and I swear she told me to put in 4 teaspoons of baking soda. 4!!! As opposed to 1/4 teaspoon like it says above. Needless to say the cookies tasted like banana toothpaste and I had to throw every single one of them out. Funny thing is, I ate two trying to convince myself they were supposed to taste like that until I confirmed the evil that had happened. 

These cookies are delicious {especially when you put the right amount of baking soda}! I would love to know how you like them if you decide to make them!

FREEDOM!

I'll Meet You in the Kitchen...

1. Fail-proof pizza dough from Lauren's Latest. 

2. No Knead Bread.

3. Crock Pot Apple Butter. 

4. Individual berry crisps adapted from Pinch My Salt's recipe.

5. Chocolate Chip cookies (recipe on the bag of choc. chips)

The pizza was divine, loved it.

 I think I'll pinch off bigger loaves next time I make the no knead bread, they ended up a little bit dry I think because they were too small. I'll also measure out the salt instead of eyeball it, they definitely needed more. 

I used gala and granny smith for the apple butter. I think next time I'll try red delicious. I'm also thinking this will be what I do for Christmas presents this year. Yes! I'm already thinking about it. :)

I've made the berry crisp recipe twice, the first time I doubled the topping which is of course MY favorite part. I think you'll like it that way too if you decide to try it. 

Noah had fun helping me make the cookies! I measured everything out, he dumped it all in the bowl and helped me stir. He actually didn't end up eating the rest of those cookies in the picture. I don't think chocolate chip is his favorite. He does love oreos!! He calls them 'black cookies.' 

I am no expert when it comes to cooking but I'm having fun learning! I'll share more on that tomorrow. ;)

Mandy

This Week

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This week I bought a new journal. I read about joy and wrote about it in my journal. 

The picture of the flowers on the table makes me happy. 

I completed a lovely order for a friend.

I made No Bake Energy bites (minus coconut & flax, plus whole wheat flour) 

recipe here. 

I found a cake recipe that I want to use for Noah's 2nd birthday cake.

And I went shopping with Christmas money. Everything is from Gap. 

Hope you had a great week.

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

My How Time Flies...

I can't believe my little boy is about to turn 2 this month; he's still a baby to me. I just realized I never shared photos from his first birthday last year. Better late than never right?! His party was a complete DIY project. Thankfully I had help! My friend Samantha designed the cupcake and cake toppers which turned out amazingly. My friend Esther made the cookies, I made the cake, the cupcakes, and the birthday banner, and my friend Anna took the pictures. In my humble opinion I think it was the best cowboy themed birthday ever. :)

                     
You guys better get ready for mushy gushy post later on this week about what I've learned from Mr. Noah over the past two years. I also need to start planning his birthday party! Look out Pinterest, here I come!

photo credit: {Anna's photography Facebook page & her website}

Get Organized!

I have a confession to make, I'm not a very organized/super clean person. I may be able to trick you into believing I am if you come over with plenty of warning time ahead (so that I can clean all of the visible spaces!). I'm tired of the messes and the junk room, ahem, I mean office and since it's the beginning of a new year I figured why not make a few resolutions and while I'm at it HECK, I'll go ahead and make a THEME for this year...two words: GET ORGANIZED! Are you sensing my seriousness and dedication to getting this done? :)

I've been perusing Pinterest to see if I can find some inspiration. 

1. Jewelry 

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I have no words to explain the current state my jewelry is in.

2. Mama's Closet

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I just bought a copy of The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley from The Tiny Twig. I'm so excited to get through it, get my closet organized, figure out my style, and how to get dressed without all the extra time and fuss. I would love to be able to pick out an outfit and be dressed all in five minutes.

3. Tot's Room

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Noah's room is a literal disaster area. I keep waiting for FEMA to show up but they never do so I guess I'm going to have to clean this one up. ;) Seriously though, my husband brought up a good point the other day, he said something along the lines of 'are we teaching Noah to be okay with living in a mess by letting his room stay like this?' I would say yes, yes we are, this has to stop!

4. Craft Room

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(sigh) What can I say... the four areas in our house I mentioned above are just a mess! I'm ready for nice clean spaces that create a sense of calm and maturity. My soul feels more at ease when my surroundings are pleasant. I'm going to blog about the progress of each room to keep myself accountable. :)

What about you? Are there areas in your home/life that needs organizing? 

A Little Bit of Christmas & a Happy New Year!

my new french press, our beautiful Christmas tree, Noah opening gifts at Nana & Grandpa's house, Oh Sweet Joy iPhone case :), pretty mantel decor at N & G's, Noah & presents, and the Cars blanket I made for him. 

We didn't do a good job of taking lots of photos this year which comes as no surprise to me. I was having too much fun experiencing everything to be taking photos but I'm going to be working on that year. That and really figuring out a goal for this blog and giant list of other things, but that's another post for another day. I hope you all had a very blessed Christmas and a wonderful time bringing in the New Year. 2012 is going to be a great one, I just know it. :)