Chicago Botanic Garden

Maddy and I went to the Botanic Garden today and had a blast. Well, I had a blast I am not too sure about Maddy. :) It is the coolest place and we will definitely go back.

YUM!

I made chocolate chocolate chip banana bread this morning. I think I have finally found my new favorite breakfast! You may remember a while back I made all these giant claims about being a foodie. I don't think that was even close to being true. I just can't handle the pressure of being a foodie. :o) Although I still love to cook and try new recipes I think I will stick with the title of family cook for now. On to the recipe from one of my favorite food blogs -The Sisters Cafe.

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

submitted by Melanie

Recipe adapted from Cooking Pleasures

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 1/4 cups mashed bananas (about 3)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa (I prefer dutch process)

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350. Spray bottom of 8x4 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

2. Beat sugar, eggs, and oil in large bowl at medium speed until combined. Beat in banana and vanilla at low speed. Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda in medium bowl; beat into banana mixture at low speed just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

3 Spoon batter into pan. Bake 60-70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.

Disneyland

We had such a great time in Disneyland with our friends!
Sydney, Samantha and Maddy in the teacups.
Maddy driving the car at the Autopia


The girls in their costumes in front of the castle.

I will add more pictures later but I really need to unpack.