Tuesday, August 27, 2013

A New Twist to Banana Bread...

"What is it you ask?"
Nutella Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Spray an 8 x 4 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray

2 cups flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup milk
3/4 heaping cup Nutella

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
In another large bowl beat sugar and butter using an electric mixer
at medium speed until blended.

Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.
Add bananas, milk, vanilla
Beat until blended.

Add flour mixture, beat at low speed just until flour is incorporated.
Don't over mix.

Spoon Nutella into a small dish and soften in microwave for 15 seconds. 
Add 1 cup banana bread mix to the Nutella. 
Stir until blended well.

Spoon Nutella batter alternately with plain banana bread batter into prepared pan. 
Swirl together with a knife.

Bake 50 - 60 minutes. 
Put tester in to check for doneness.
Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together, flour baking soda and salt.

 


Friday, August 16, 2013

Do you have an abundance of summer vegetables? If you do...here's a quick answer!

Chop an onion and saute in some olive oil.  Place on the bottom of
a baking dish.  Peel and slice a potato, slice a zucchini, summer squash
and tomato or two.  Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with thyme.
Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. 
Then uncover, sprinkle with shredded cheese of your choice
and bake another 15 minutes or until cheese bubbles.

Easy, pretty to look at, delicious and healthy too!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

North of Boston...Lots to Sea!!!

Russell Orchards, Since 1920 on 143 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 01938
Home of fine fruit wines and hard ciders.


Peter Rabbit would love these Gooseberries!



Painted rocks for sale at Russell Orchards!
It gives you an idea...doesn't it?





This would be something fun to do during the winter months!

Start looking for some smooth rocks and get painting during
cooler weather and shorter days!

On the North Shore in Ipswich, MA is where we visited the Crane Estate!
Views of the Atlantic are visible from all around this beautiful
property!  Weddings and other events are held here.
Just down the road in Essex, MA you'll find Woodman's!
Delicious, efficient and clean...this is a stop you must make!

From the little gift shop to the small buildings overlooking the marsh,
Woodman's has been in business since 1914! 
Another gem along the highway!
Here Sis enjoys the gift shop!
Don't miss the ice-cream shop!
We all had lobster rolls, cole slaw, sweet potato fries and
clam chowdah...made with Ipswich clams of course!

Friday, August 9, 2013

A Lady in the Mountains!

Built in the 1920's, this Grand Lady sits nestled in the
Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire!  In 1902 industrialist
Joseph Stickney build The Mount Washington Hotel. 
It is white with a red roof built in the Spanish Renaissance style with
a grand colonnaded veranda. 

Architecture, yes!
Class, yes!
Value for your money, yes!
Built by more than 250 master craftsmen, skilled in masonry and woodworking, were
brought from Italy during the hotel's 2-year construction.  This jewel has
recently undergone a $70 million dollar renovation.
 

The beautiful first floor with its wildflower carpeting!
Talk about bringing the outside in!

Tea is served daily in this lovely salon.

Golfing, tennis, horseback riding, bingo, movies
live entertainment and great food await your arrival!
The Donald Ross designed golf course shouldn't be
missed by all of you golfers!

The Lady of the hotel, Mrs. Stickney would look over the guests as they walked
to the ballroom all the while checking out their outfits.  She would
make sure she was the best dressed lady every evening!

Most of the time, Mt. Washington was shrouded in clouds. 
Here we catch a glimpse of a beautiful rainbow.
Today, this 4-diamond resort offers
opulent accommodations, award-winning dining,
countless activities including a full-service spa, a year round canopy
tour  and boasts the state's largest ski area!
 This is one lady you'll want to meet. 
 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Off the Beaten Path...Derry, New Hampshire

Off Rte. 93 North follow the signs to Derry, NH and
Robert Frost's Homestead.

In the barn, you'll find memorabilia, Frost's poems and photos
lining the walls.  A video is available too.  A guide of the house
is another option.


I just love what John F. Kennedy said upon the death of Robert Frost.
If you recall, Robert Frost recited a poem at the Kennedy Inauguration.
 

When heading to the White Mountains...make a quick stop in
Derry!  It's a great little town with a wonderful retro 50's diner called
Maryann's.  See below!

Friday, August 2, 2013

Are You My Mother?

The other day, my sister, Nancy told me about an adorable
hooked rug she had seen on Sky Mall.  Although I was apprehensive to
purchase it because I really didn't have a space for this little feline rug. 
After seeing how cute it was I decided to order one. 
Well, UPS dropped it off yesterday.  This rug looked just like Mr. Fur!
So, I put it down on the floor and was thinking of where to put it.
When Mr. Fur walked in from outside,  he immediately went
to the rug and made himself at home. 

Tonight, he found the rug again snuggling up to the rug as a little
kitten to its Mother.  I wonder what he's thinking?  Does he think
it's his Mother?  Cats bond with their Mothers for just a short time. 
If they're lucky, they're off to start their lives with a loving family.
But, does that feeling of wanting your Mother for comfort,
encouragement and nurturing ever leave you?  Speaking from
experience, I would say "No."  A Mother's touch and love
are something everyone longs for feline or not.