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Banana Cake

Banana cake plated

Since we both like bananas, I decided to whip up this banana cake the other day.

Boy, was that a delicious decision.

After scarfing down his piece, Captain Cavedweller looked at me and said, “If you add walnuts next time, I’ll like it better than carrot cake.”

This is a pretty big statement coming from him.

He’s not all that fond of desserts and his favorite, favorite cake for the past twenty years has been carrot cake.

Needless to say, the next time I make this cake, there will be walnuts in it.

Easy to make, this cake is moist, yummy and full of banana flavor. (So if you hate bananas, you might want to skip today’s recipe!).

Start with some simple, basic ingredients.

Start with some simple, basic ingredients.

Blend butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Blend butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time.

Add eggs, one at a time.

Alternate adding flour and milk then add mashed bananas. Use a big bowl because it makes more than you think it will.

Alternate adding flour and milk then add mashed bananas. Use a big bowl because it makes more than you think it will.

Pour in a greased and floured  9x13 baking pan and bake at 275 degrees for an hour.

Pour in a greased and floured 9×13 baking pan and bake at 275 degrees for an hour.

When the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, remove from the oven directly to the freezer. Leave in the freezer for an hour then frost with cream cheese frosting.

When the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, remove from the oven directly to the freezer. Leave in the freezer for an hour then frost with cream cheese frosting.

Then cut a big slice and enjoy!

Then cut a big slice and enjoy!

Banana Cake

1 1/2 cups very ripe bananas, mashed

2 tsp. lemon juice

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. banana flavoring

11/2 cups milk

Preheat oven to 275 degrees

Grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan.

Mash bananas with lemon juice and set aside.

Mix flour, baking soda and salt together and set aside.

In a extra-large mixing bowl (really, you need a big one), cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time then blend in vanilla and banana flavoring.

Stir in flour mixture, a little at a time, alternating with the milk .

Stir in bananas then pour into pan and bake for one hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and place directly into the freezer for about an hour (heightens the moisture of the cake).

Remove from freezer and frost with cream cheese frosting.

Serve or refrigerate.

I served the cake with a drizzle of caramel sauce, but you could add chocolate sauce, salted caramel ice cream or dulce de leche ice cream, too.

She Who Would  Like a Piece of Cake

 

baby kittyA few weeks ago, I posted about the neighbor’s kitten coming to visit and how hard it was to resist the sweet little ball of fur.

Since then, she’s taken up residence in our backyard along with some friends.

babykittyoct2Baby Kitty has grown quite a bit, but she still has those sweet little fuzzy ears.

squirt

This is Squirt. He is Baby Kitty’s big brother and the ring-leader of all feline shenanigans currently taking place in our backyard. He can eat at least twice his weight in cat food throughout the day, is always hungry, growls if anyone gets close while he’s eating and can’t decide if he’d rather bite you or have his back and tummy rubbed.

FlashThis is Flash. He’s the baby brother and quite probably the runt of the litter. When he first arrived on the scene he didn’t want anyone to see him, look at him, touch him or talk to him and that’s why we named him Flash. He’d take off like a little furry striped streak across the yard if he thought you might even think about getting close to him. He has since decided we have no intentions of eating him, beating him, or causing his demise. This little kitty loves to have his head and back rubbed and turns into a boneless mass of purring bliss whenever you rub him under the chin. Besides being such a sweet little guy, he has the most beautiful eyes.

apricotThis is Apricot. She’s big, she’s bossy and she rides herd over the kittens like nobody’s business. In addition to her freaky color eyes and fluffy salmon fur, she is the nanny and doesn’t want anyone messing with the kittens unless she gives  her approval. It’s a good thing they have her, too, since their mother is a standoffish, mean little cat who slaps them anytime they get close to her.

DrooleyThis is Drooley, aka The Heinous Cat. Of all the felines trooping through our back yard, he’s the only one who belongs there. And he knows it. He despises the kittens, their nanny, and any other interlopers who might interfere with his attention or dinner program. I’ve been calling him the Grumpy Old Man because all the kittens have to do is take a step his way and he starts hissing and spluttering.

It makes for some interesting moments, that’s for sure.

She Who is Overrun with the Neighbor’s Cats

 

Western Style

The other day I received a catalog in the mail that seriously made me laugh.

It claimed to be the number one source of western fashion. I’ll admit it had a really nice cover.

But then I looked inside.

And laughed.

Then laughed some more.

I grew up in the country around ranch and farm women. I know a lot of country girls and I don’t think a single one of them would be caught dead or alive wearing…

western fashion feather boot topsFeather boot toppers.

It looks like something crawled in their boots and died there.

western fashion fanny packHow about a “fashion” fanny pack that slips right on your belt?

western fashion denim gauchosDenim gauchos, anyone?

I’m sure it’s what all the best-dressed cowgirls will be wearing this fall… or not.

western fashion purple mocsMaybe some bright purple moccasins. With fringe. And silver conchos.

western fashion tshirt

Or beaded and fringed T-shirts.

western fashion fur vestAnd my personal favorite – a faux fur vest that looks like you found some good road kill.

If you’re looking for “western” fashion, I think you might want to look elsewhere.

She Who Won’t Be Wearing Any of the Above – Ever

Book Giveaway!

Writing Blog Header

I’m giving away a free book over on my writing blog today. Hop on over and post a comment for your chance to win your choice of one of my romance books!

Good luck!