Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

It's been really quiet around here the past couple of months, but I wanted to pop in to share something really delicious with y'all. Four glorious words: Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins. Let me just add, the best Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins I've ever had/made (and maybe my husband, too, if he'd just try one already...).

 

We attended our neighborhood's National Night Out gathering last night, which was pretty fun and we didn't have to cook dinner (yes!), and made it home around 7:00. Got bath's done, dogs fed, and started relaxing on the sofa watching Big Hero 6 when I noticed our bananas had seen better days. I remembered seeing a recipe using bananas on Pinterest, so I took a peek into our pantry and decided to put these banana's to use before they're garbage.

 

So, there I was... 7:30 pm, in jammies, pulling everything out of the pantry to bake muffins while my boys are cuddling on the sofa quietly watching a movie.

 

I've been on a baking kick lately - hence the muffin pan and not just muffin cups inside foil muffin cups stacked on a cookie sheet - so I actually had all of the ingredients in my pantry. Meant to be.

 

They may not be the healthiest thing... and we're trying our hardest to stick to a healthy(ish) diet (do Donut-Fridays and 50-piece wings on Saturday count as healthy? No? Damn.), but they're worth every bite. Go ahead, give them a try and tell me I'm wrong!

 

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffin Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 medium, overripe bananas
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mash the bananas (I just used a fork) until mostly smooth.
3. Mix in the egg, sugar, vanilla, and oil. Mix well.
4. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Only mix until the batter forms. Fold in the chocolate chips using a rubber spatula.
5. Pour batter into greased muffin cups (makes 12). Bake for 20 minutes.

 I originally found this recipe via Pinterest (here) for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

 

Leave me a comment if you've tried the recipe and let me know what you think!

 

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! We've made it through yet another week.

We're getting our roof replaced today...

RAISE DA ROOF! and that's pretty much all I can think about. You know you're an adult when you're stoked about a new roof. :) Dying to get home to see the finished result! But since this is a project we've been working on since January (thanks to insurance and homeowners), it's given me motivation to spruce up the rest of our house - inside & out.

I've been on Pinterest more than usual, getting ideas for my latest obsession: gardening! I'm loving orange knock-out roses, creeping phlox, jasmine vines (smells so good), and these tiny herb gardens - loving number 7!!

As probably mentioned on the blog before, I am no cook. However, I do like fun cookware! And right now, World Market has me wanting to buy everything in their cooking & baking section.

For a couple of years now, I've been using the Michael Kors Selma Large Satchel, but I find that it gets too heavy and becomes uncomfortable to carry on my arm and too awkward to carry on my shoulder or cross body, especially when there's a bunch of stuff in it. I still really love this purse, but I've kind of had my eye on the Madewell Transport Tote - but there are a few cheaper alternatives out there (Nordstom and Target).

My last, but not least Friday favorite is Sensodyne True White toothpaste. I'm going to share a little beauty secret with you: this stuff rocks! I have pretty sensitive teeth... and if we're being honest, am no stranger to a good cup(s) of coffee and/or glass(es) of red wine, so with my sensitivity, whitening strips were out of the question. :(  I've been a long time user of Sensodyne toothpaste, but recently tried the True White tube and I'm blown away. I'm about halfway through the first tube and I can already notice a whiter smile. Give it a try (coupon)!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Spring Cleaning + Organization Inspiration

Y'all, spring is officially here. And you know what that means? Spring cleaning/organization time! If you've been slacking too busy to begin on your spring cleaning and organization lists like me, then here's a little inspiration to get you going.

Lately I've been eager about cleaning up and organizing a bit - we did our garage a few weeks ago - but our weekends have been so busy it's hard for me to start something and stop mid-project. Since my last two spring's consisted of being pregnant and having a little infant, I haven't been able to give the house a good deep clean in a while. So, I'm ready to get this house into tip-top shape!

First, I desperately need to clean out and organize baby B's closet. It's currently full of diaper boxes, which are packed with old baby clothes, bottles, etc., infant toys he doesn't play with anymore, important baby documents (need to find a better spot for these!), hats, shoes, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I would love to add a storage bin to his closet to help sort and organize his things, something like this where things are easily accessible:

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Then, our guest room needs some serious attention. It's currently a dumping ground for anything and everything. We got new master bedroom furniture, so we got rid of the old furniture in the guest room and replaced it with our old master set, so it takes up majority of the room (not a big room to begin with). I tidied up the closet a couple weeks ago, but the room still needs a good clean and there are a few decorative things that need to be hung and displayed. I'm also wanting to move my craft stuff from my closet into the guest room closet and organize the dresser to hold more craft stuff and my seasonal decor/junk. Something about a clean, organized guest room just makes ya feel good... and it'd be nice to be able to leave that door open. ;)

image (just because it's pretty)

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Another spot that needs some dire attention is our master bathroom linen closet and cabinets. I can barely look in them without feeling the urge to pull everything out and organize right then and there. I already know we have a lot of excess crap in there that just needs to be thrown out, and we need some type of system for organizing... These storage baskets look like they'd be perfect for storing all the vitamins, sunscreen, hair product, makeup, etc.

My husband thinks I'm crazy, but these images just make me happy. :)

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So, it looks like I need to stock up on some storage containers and get to work! All in due course, but hopefully I can start tackling some this weekend. If these beautifully organized spaces don't inspire you, then I don't know what will... (good thing all of these areas have doors to hide the messes, amIright?!).

What are some areas you guys have organization problems and what are you tips for keeping it tidy year round?

Easter 2016

Lots and lots of pictures on the blog today! We had a fun filled, jam packed weekend and I took enough pictures that put my phone right back into the 'critically low storage' mode... again. (I know I'm not the only one that faces this problem every other week.)

We started off Good Friday with a trip to the Children's Museum, which was a total hit with mister man. In other words, he acted like he owned the place. I wonder where he gets that from... Saturday we hit up the Egg Scramble - complete with the biggest Easter egg hunt I've ever seen, bubbles, and pony rides. Later that day, we checked out some bluebonnets - they're just so pretty! Sunday we attended Church and hung out with family.

It was really a great weekend celebrating our savior, Jesus Christ, and spending time with those we love. I hope everyone's Easter weekend was wonderful!

Bunny Bait Printable

A couple of weeks ago I decided to make a fun Easter-themed printable for baby B's school party. Feeling ahead of the game with a plan in motion, I later found out that we didn't need to supply any treats for this party. So instead of it going to waste, I'm going to share my little print with you!

All you need is:

• the Bunny Bait printable
• white cardstock
• treat of choice (this recipe looks yum)
• treat bags (these work great!)
• scissors
• staple

Then, just download, print and cut out. Fill the bags with a scoop of the Easter treat, then fold the design over the treat bag and staple shut. Another super easy, affordable treat idea.

(No picture of the finished product this time... Sorry!)

Enjoy!

Easter Basket - Toddler Style

Easter is right around the corner, and I'm so looking forward to it. Easter is a special holiday to me, not only because we're celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but also because it's the day my husband proposed to me. So many great things have happened to and for us on this very special holiday.

Last Easter, baby B was just a few months old, so we didn't really go all out on his Easter basket. This year is another story. Ok, maybe we're not going all out, but we're certainly playing Easter bunny and stuffing that basket!

He's obviously (in my opinion, anyways) a little too young for candy. So, instead we're packing it full of toddler appropriate goodies! Instead of marshmallow peeps, I found these awesome Peep Bubbles at World Market, and let's be honest - what toddler doesn't love bubbles!? Also at World Market, I found some fun egg shaped chalk that I just couldn't pass up. Also, in lieu of candy, I picked up some bright colored plastic eggs that I'm going to fill with snacks, like Goldfish, cheerios, and puffs.

We're Mickey Mouse fans in our household, so Mickey socks are a must! Gotta love that Target discount bucket. I also included a Jack Mickey & the Beanstalk book, some bunny rabbit sunglasses, and crayons to spark his imagination -- just hopefully not on my walls. ;)

Easter festivities, here we come!

Oh, and Easter egg scramble, we've been waiting for you. Bring it on!

Homebodies

One word accurately describes us this past weekend: homebodies.

I've been trying to get over my strep-like sickness, which I think I passed onto my husband... and baby B is getting over an eye infection, so this was a good weekend to be sloth-like. Which I'm still feeling this morning as I try to get back into the groove of things.

For some fresh air, we hung-out and played in the backyard a bunch; one of baby B's favorite places to be. Took a few walks, and a quick trip to the grocery store. Gigi and Papa paid a visit, which was the first time they got to see their grand-baby walk (in person). Very exciting stuff, people.

In big news: we're transitioning out of the morning nap + late afternoon nap, which were both about an hour - if lucky - each, into one long after lunch nap. Practiced all weekend and have been doing wonderful! Saturday resulted in a 3.5 hour nap. I was shocked and had to gossip about it with my mommy friends because they understand.

I didn't get too many pictures from this weekend, since it was so low key (and because I'm trying to not have my phone constantly on me at all times), but here's a look into our weekend.

Mickey & milk, our favorite morning routine

exploring in the backyard

sleep. lots of sleep.

Hopefully the sickness that's filled our home is on it's way out... because I'm really looking forward to a much needed date night this weekend. :)

That's all for now. Have a fantastic week!