Homemade Nanner Ice-Cream

I saw something brilliant on this lady's blog the other day.  I have to agree that it is so easy to just pin and pin and pin til your little creative heart wants to explode.  But the whole thing about Pinterest for me is that I want to make sure that I am LIVING PINTEREST.  I don't want to just collect creative ideas...I WANT TO DO THEM!

So, this gem of a recipe is brought to you by...

Pin found here by soul friend.

It was DELICIOUS!  

And if you think about it, its really quite a healthy dessert (comparatively to say cheesecake or chocolate cake or cookies. all of which I could go for right about now)

Anyhow, try it.  It was amazing.  Now for your viewing pleasure here are a couple pictures of us in our white trash evening attire about to enjoy two big bowls of Nanner Ice-cream.

1, 2, 3 easy as ATC

A couple of weeks ago I spent the week in the atrsy, funky and eclectic little town of Savannah.  

I was "sans husband" until Thursday.

We learned that we both don't sleep too well without the other one and that a queen size bed feels a lot bigger when you are the only one in it.

Thank goodness for over-sized pillows that act as a double for my giant of a husband.  I'm a snuggler when I sleep.  That poor pillow...

I went down to Savannah because I had been accepted to compete in the American Traditions Competition for singers.  

It was a week long competition full of concerts, rehearsals, sound checks, master classes, friend making, sight seeing, boat riding, and yummy food tasting.

This was really the first competition that I have done outside of college.  I was so happy to have been singing alongside such wonderfully talented singers.  I felt completely honored to have been chosen for the competition.

When we first arrived we had a reception at the Cupcake Emporium in Wright Square.  It was dangerous because we were given free reign to eat all of the free cupcakes we wanted. 

"Oh, sweet salted caramel cupcake get back in my mouth!!"

One day I had some free time, so I went over to try out my best friend's brothers's new restaurant.  They just opened next to SCAD's biggest building.  

The night before I received a phone call from a number I didn't know.  I love answering unknown numbers and it always makes me giddy because I get a small thrill from not knowing who is on the other line.  It was Lisa's brother Patrick who invited me to come to his restaurant.  

So I did. 

And I did not regret it.

Once my family arrived we took a walk down River Street. Our eyes feasted on the treats of River Street Sweets.  We had free pralines and taffy.

I was quite proud of how I sang.  I was one of the youngest people in the competition and I feel so proud of how I represented myself.  

I love singing so much.  

I love the thrill of being someone else for a few minutes and feeling what they would feel.  

I love giving every ounce of myself to make art.

I was so thankful to have been supported by a loving husband and my family.  So many people came down and made me feel so loved.  I am proud to have the family I do.

Bananas Two-ways

We are going to start a series of posts called "Two-ways".

We are going to be making two completely different dishes out of one common ingredient.

Bananas

Today we are

doing:

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

AND

Sour Cream Banana Pancakes

(compliments of the Flying Biscuit Cookbook)

Cupcakes:

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup mashed ripe bananas

1/4 cup buttermilk

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, bananas, and buttermilk. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in separate bowl; add to banana mixture.

2. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

3. Cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

3 tbsp milk

2 tsp vanilla extract

(for the butter I do a half and half mixture of cream cheese and butter, it really makes the difference, and thats what makes it cream cheese frosting!)

Add all ingredients and mix well together. (make sure you taste some for yourself before it goes on the cupcakes, I always like to eat as I bake!)

We had the cupcakes for a dessert for a jam sesh night.

I have made these cupcakes for John to take to work for his coworkers and it was a big hit. He said there was a discussion as to the true nature of the cupcake. The men said it is the perfect cross between a cupcake, banana bread, and a muffin. You decide!

NEXT UP....

Sour Cream Banana Pancakes

Yes, please! I got this cookbook from a family who I babysit for. She said she hadn't used it in over two years! So, she let me "borrow" it, but I'm going to see what I can do about making this a permanent arrangement.

(If you can't see this recipe very well and you want the specifics, please message me!)

The batter is tres tres tres thick! Beware.

John made some fried bananas to go on top and then garnished with a sprinkle of powdered sugar! The recipe didn't call for that but he is a genius.

We think Jack Johnson had it right...

And these definitely don't have to wait until the weekend.