Saturday BANANA BREAD

It seems like I find myself creating a new banana bread recipe every time I have leftover bananas. Often change the nuts. the flours and trying a new trick or two. About a year ago, one of my customers who pays me a visit every month, shared with me about a new banana bread trick he had learnt while out in a ship. Uncle Bill, as I call him told me I must microwave my bananas before mashing them before turning them into bread, the idea made a lot of sense since by doing this step, the bananas would release their nectar before baking, creating a much more flavorful bread, making a big difference in the results.
As we were power walking the produce aisle of the grocery store last night, Sebastian mentioned banana bread and then talked about plantains being the cooking bananas. Surfing the Internet I have tried something new, grasping the idea of a picture online to slice bananas on top and I added a touch by sprinkling turbinado sugar on top of the slice bananas for cameralization.

Saturday banana bread
I found myself with whole wheat pastry flour at home, I will incentive you to choose any kind of flour or even combine for a much richer and flavorful result. Also, if you don't feel like slicing your banana or plantain on top, no need to do this step, I am just trying a new idea! :)

1¾ cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon table salt
5 large very ripe bananas
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 large eggs
¾ cup packed (5¼ ounces) light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup chopped pecans
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 tbsp turbinado sugar
optional: 1 banana or plantain
1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray your favorite loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl.
3. Place 5 bananas in a microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and cut several steam vents in the plastic with a paring knife. Microwave on high power until the bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 minutes.
4. Whisk in the butter, eggs, sugars, and vanilla and add the bananas
5. Pour the banana mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just combined with some streaks of flour remaining. Gently fold in the pecans. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

Slice the remaining banana diagonally. Shingle the banana slices on top of both /sides of the loaf, leaving a 1½-inch-wide space down the center to ensure an even rise. Sprinkle the turbinado sugar evenly over loaf.
5. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 55 to 65 minutes.

Cool the bread in the pan on a wire rack. cover it with wax paper, allowing it to cool completely. Enjoy!

Wowzers!! I can't believe it has been three years of unrecorded incredible adventures and events. I was even thinking about creating a new blog and taking in a new concept but I think something among the lines of "picking up the memories" and sharing what our family has been up to in a more detail way with the idea of new books, new hobbies, new stories, favorite recipes and keeping up with pictures , might bring a new upbeat meaning to this site.  If you stop by, to check us out, well, HELLO THERE, WE ARE THE NEWKIRKS!

DINOSAUR BONES!

HER: Fun activity... mold clay and make some dino bones with your kid!! They will enjoy the process. Paint, varnish and even glue them together!!! Pictures are coming soon!!!

Sports picture day!

HER: The third basketball game of the season was today. Tight game, first round 5-0, second round 13 - 11. Timberwolves lost the game. I wasn't sure how they were going to take the news, so as I approach I hear everyone say, nobody wins and nobody loses. They don't really count the points (Something they came up with at the school up to that age group to avoid tears and defeated feelings).
Okay here it is. Great for the ones that lose, less tears, content little faces. For the ones who win, they smile but will they still experience the taste of triumph? do they even know?... will the ones that lose try harder next game to actually win? Whatever it is I hope that Timberwolves gear up next game and be on it. I was very competitive as a kid.. I hope I can send positive and competitive energy waves to Sebastian! GO SEBASTIAN GO!!!

Team pictures were taking today prior the game. Can't wait to check them out!!! I will try to scan last years pictures and see what we come up to.

Bowling Fun!

HER: Today, we had a super fun day! We pre-arranged a play date activity with Sebastian and his buddy Jonathan at the Bowling alley.
As always, you got to ran into someone you know. While ordering Sebastian's lunch, I heard little girls giggling and Sebastian talking back to them. I was making my turn to see who Sebastian was talking to and there he was joining the table of birthday girls with their cute little pink princess like dresses, I reminded Sebastian of the play date as he stood up and ask if he could join them for cake later.
Two great games, french fries, a burger and 4 glasses of water later and we were on the way to the fish market. - Oh, How I love markets... Fresh product, in this case the day's catch on ice displaying right in front of your very own eyes. for you to choose. Fish, shrimp, crap, mussels, clams, you name it! I remember being a child and going to the market with my mother and my grandmother in different occasions. At the time, of course I thought what a boring activity, little did I know that later on in my life I will appreciate checking them out every time I had a chance.. as I remind myself all of this memories and smells, I turned around to direct a word to my son... he was covering his nose, of course, trying to read every sign and asking what that smell was. Two pounds of beautiful giant size scallops later, a dozen meal ideas floating in my head and Sebastian reminded me of the Fresh Market! What a great idea! We love it, fresh cut cheeses, beautiful organic and local grown products, wine and other kind of goodies and then it occur to me what a wonderful moment that was. I was making a memory with Sebastian. One of many he will have of us thinking of goodies for dinner, tasting cheeses and discovering things together.

HER: Today, January the third. - Day 3 of the year 2010. Also one of my aunt's birthday from my father's side and the day I lost a former classmate I went to school with.

A tragic accident it was, she was traveling on the highway with some friends when an interprovincial bus intercept the vehicle she was in. I heard of this on facebook, then I search the local newpaper website where there was a video of the tragedy, the bodies and the family. All I could feel then was the pain they were going through, not only that but one of the witnesses mentioned pulling the body out of the vehicle and she was still breathing,

I close my eyes and instantly thought... be in so much physical pain that your body gives up.

My prayers go out to Mariella, her family and closest friends.

DAY 2!

HER: Feels great to sleep in, even more amazing to wake up with a beautiful sunny day.

Very inspiring for a day of workout fun around the house, math activities and helping Sebastian with some basketball training. I am hoping tomorrow we will have good weather again to continue the planned activity to get him ready for the first game of the season!

Can't wait to continue exploring my Buffy comic books, which I took a sneak peak last night before passing out on my bed from extreme exhaustion, and see what happens next.

Lots of pictures coming up! My computer is down at the moment so uploading options are limited at the moment.
Until next time!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

HER: HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

My most sincere, deepest and best wishes to all of you who read and encounter this blog.

Hope 2010 brings joy, happiness, peace and health for you and your loved ones.

It is the first day of the year and thank goodness I got a nappie in today.

Work has been quite busy since we got back from Indiana. Lots of preparation goes on prior New year's eve. (Busiest night of the year, that is.)

And as usual I tend to over load myself with work. This year a large order of bake goods for pick up on that day left me up and working strong until 5 am. Enough time to get an hour of sleep and a shower and back at the restaurant for a really busy but yet successful day.

As for preparing myself to receive the new year.... A yearly tradition; fresh grapes and cherries, a delicious bottle of Moscato d'asti and sparkles for the night.

At midnight, I eat 12 grapes under the table and make a wish for each grape, which represents each month of the year, toast with a chilled glass of Moscato D'asti and day dream of the year ahead. This year more like sleep and dream, since I had to be at work early this morning. Little did I know my mind and body wouldn't agree a few hours later. Luckily, my inner self pushed me off my bed and there I was driving in a ghost town on my way to work.

As far as I am concern, this year has a lot to offer.

Sebastian, who currently is in kindergarten will go off to first grade joining a school with a gifted program, joining all sorts of sport teams, art programs and foreign languages.

Frank will be graduating from Law school this May. Taking the Indiana Bar exam in July and will be out there experiencing life and developing professionally.

Duke and Dexter will finally have a yard of their own, encounter all sorts of new adventures, experience snow for the very first time and probably keep learning new tricks.

As for me, advertise my business, find a job with a managing opportunity, improve my french, be super mom, super girlfriend, super me. Instead of pledging to start going to the gym(which I'll do, until February arrives); I have decided to vow instead to try new experiences and fit more activities in. Start painting once again (need to break into my new paints and oleos Frank got me last Christmas), more reading, yoga at the beach while the beach is still an option, fix my house and hopefully get it ready for sale before fall arrives. I am hoping for a little travelling but that is yet to be decided. (Thinking Napa and Sonoma, and I have a couple other ideas.)

I am excited to see what is ahead and what 2010 is holding up for us to discover!

Happy Halloween!

HER: YAY!!!! for trick or treaters!!!

Tailgating

HER: What a day it has been. The first part of our Saturday morning took place downtown. Sebastian and one of his buddies from school got together for a playdate.

We took them to this play place around the Avondale/ downtown area where they would meet and spend a couple of fun hours together.

We would meet with his parents at the art market in downtown Jacksonville where we would grab a bite to eat while contemplating the St. John's river, listen to music and enjoy the scene under the sun. Right after, we would head towards the stadiwm to be part of the Florida vs. Georgia game experience. Tailgating seems to be quite a weekend event here in Jacksonville.