Operation France and Breakfast for Dinner

Last night we had FHE, like most Monday nights.  It was great.  We finally figured some things out.  John and I have been seriously thinking about doing a study abroad to France for a while now.  We have been praying and pondering if it is the right decision for us for this coming summer.

We sang the perfect hymn for the night, "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go, Dear Lord"

We had breakfast for dinner.  That is always one of our favorites,  John says, "I could literally eat breakfast anytime of the day."  We had:

Pancakes:  We mixed it up a bit with fresh chips of strawberry, 3/4 cup of sour cream, and a dash of vanilla in the mix.  Then we garnished with fresh strawberry slices on top.

Bacon:  Cooked almost til done in pan then we put it on a plate in the oven at 175 for about 5-7 minutes to give it more of a crunch.  Really that is the best way to eat bacon.

Hashbrowns:  John cooked these in the leftover bacon grease!  YUM!  Then of course he added jalapeños and salt and pepper.  They were better than Waffle House.

We already have our fall decorations out, most of these came from my girl's weekend with my family.  I love the holidays so much.  I feel like everyone is so excited with the anticipation of fall just right around the corner.  It is trying so hard to be here.  Just a few more days I hope.  "Come on Fall, you can do it!!"

In honor of our night I went to the European Market here in Roswell and got us some European chocolate.  It was divine!

For our activity we had planned on doing research for French programs and scholarship opportunities but that kind of didn't pan out.  So, instead I did a project that I have been obsessing over for about a week.

Thank you to (THIS LADY) for the inspiring idea.  You can see better directions on her blog.

I made a really cool earring holder.  This is so much better than throwing them all in one bag and having to search for the match!

My husband surprised me two nights ago with an early birthday present.  Seriously, we both can't wait for anything.  He was too excited and I was too curious so I let him give it to me.  

He gave me a beautiful pair of 1.4 carat Citrine Studs.  I LOVE them!  He said he thought they looked a lot like my beloved favorite color...mustard.  Now I have a beautiful new place for them to go.  Good job honey...good perfect job.  

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.