Blueberry-Banana Bread

So I've had these blueberries just chillin' in the fridge for like two months now. Back in July, my friend Jessica brought me a HUGE bag of them--fresh picked from her bushes. I've been using them in muffins and pancakes for weeks. I can NOT believe how well they have kept all this time.

A couple days ago, I saw this recipe for Blueberry Banana Bread and thought it might be a great way to use some more of them.

Oh, Wow! Was this good! I couldn't keep myself out of this stuff, and neither could anyone else in the family, including Bella. I made two loaves last time and plan to make about six the next time. You gotta try it!

Blueberry-Banana Bread

1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. mashed ripe bananas
1 c. frozen blueberries (or fresh)
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. quick cooking oats
1/2 c. nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 325°F degrees.Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Add mashed bananas.Measure flour, reserving 2 tablespoons of flour to coat blueberries.Stir baking soda and salt into flour, mixing well. Stir in oats. Fold into banana mixture. Stir in vanilla.Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons flour over blueberries, then fold into batter. Stir in nuts.Transfer batter to loaf pans. Bake about 50 minutes.

"I think I'll just nap till it's ready...."

First Day of Kindergarten!

Today was Maggie's first day of kindergarten! She had fun coloring, cutting, and pasting while she learned about the first day of creation. For the next two weeks, we'll be talking about the creation story. After that, we'll spend a week on each letter of the alphabet, learning its sound and doing fun activities that revolve around a topic starting with each letter.

For instance, the first week, we'll be doing S-S-Sun. After that, it will be M-M-Moon, A-A-Apple, D-D Dinosaur, etc.

I love this curriculum: My Father's World Kindergarten. I used it with Holly several years ago. We had such fun that year and I've been looking forward to starting it with Maggie.


Holly is such a good little teacher's helper. "Cut on the dotty lines, Maggie, not on the black lines...like this...." I think she secretly wants to do kindergarten again!


I hope you've also had a delightful Monday!

Love,
Laura Lee

We Made a Wish and You Came True!

September 2, 1990
Oh, baby! She was a keeper!

Labor Day Weekend 1990 was one we fondly remember. After two healthy little boys, we absolutely couldn't believe our new baby was a precious little girl. We cried tears of joy!

At the time, it seemed as if the years stretched out farther than our hearts and minds could imagine--a long, beautiful, winding road with no end in sight. Little could we fathom how quickly these years would pass, like sand slipping through our fingers. Abby, you've been everything we hoped a daughter would be--happy, healthy, and oh, so sweet.


You prayed for a sister...

...and God answered...

...three times over! Thank you for so willingly sharing your princess status in our home. You are a princess, Abby. Always remember that you are a daughter of The King.

God bless you as you follow His call on your life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, baby girl!
Thank you for 18 wonderful years.
May this be your best year yet!

Love,
Mom and Dad

In Which We Recreate Abby's Favorite Salad From O'Charley's

One of our favorite things to do in the kitchen is try to recreate special dishes from favorite restaurants. Since Abby is always raving about the California Salad from O'Charley's, it was a natural choice for our test kitchen. While we were at the grocery, we grabbed all the ingredients for it, then came home and got busy.

First we threw some brown sugar in a skillet and tossed in some pecan halves, to toast and glaze them.

Then we sliced some chicken breasts into strips and sauteed them in butter and a wonderful garlic and herb seasoning.

Next we assembled the rest of the players: iceberg and romaine lettuces, mandarin oranges, sliced strawberries, dried cranberries, and a balsamic vinaigrette.

It creates a beautiful, colorful plate.

Thanks for the idea, Abby. We all loved it, especially Dad!

Danicin' in the Rain

Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day.....

Rain, Rain, Rain.....Clouds, Wind, Rain.

The past week we've been socked in by Hurricane Fay. She has just camped out right over us with her dreary self. We are so ready to see the sun again. Of course, I realize she is helping relieve the drought conditions in the Southeast. And, obviously, our roses are loving this.

So, this evening the girls decided to play in rain. I mean, if you can't beat 'um, join 'um, right? That's the idea here.

Four girls

and a dog

in the rain.

Ever Live Without Me

Tonight Lacy and her friends Emily and Rachel performed an interpretive movement to the song Ever Live Without Me. I thought you might like to see it.

Strawberry Shortcake!

Here is my recipe for one of our all-time favorite desserts...Strawberry Shortcake. I like to make my own shortcake rather than buy the little pre-made cakes at the grocery. It just tastes so much better made from scratch...you know....like Grandma used to do it! My recipe is straight from the old classic Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. Enjoy!

Strawberry Shortcake

• shortcake
• 3-4 cups sugared sliced strawberries
• 1 cup whipping cream, whipped

To make the shortcake:

• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2/3 cup milk

Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Mix in egg and milk; stir just enough to moisten.

Spread dough in greased 8 inch round or square pan. Bake at 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut in squares and serve with strawberries and whipped cream.