2 Bored Kids + 3 Ripe Bananas + Elbow Grease = Banana Bread

They look so cute when they cooperate!

What do you do when you have bored kids and three black bananas? You put those darlings to work and have them make banana bread! I used Post Punk Kitchen's recipe which, by far, makes the best vegan banana bread this side of the universe.

My daughter painted this plate when she was about 5. I love it!

The kids made this all by hand, smashing and mixing it all with a potato masher! And I tell you what, it was way more dense, more moist, and way more spongey than when I mix it up in my Kitchenaid. Maybe it is true, those dang gluten strands don't like to whisked too much. I think I will be making this recipe in that same manner from now on. It probably also helped that we dumped about the equivalent of one bag of chocolate chips into the batter (a combination of the half-dozen almost empty bags of various types of chocolate stashed in our baking cabinet). In any case, good job kids!

A New-Found (Old) Love

 

Back when I was about 7 or 8, I discovered a new state of independence awarded to me by two wheels. Having a bike was sweet freedom, and I was smitten. I loved it so much I even wanted to become a pro-cyclist. But, after someone stole my bike right in front of my apartment in Boston, I was heart broken. Being a poor college student, there was no way I would be able to afford another one and I didn't ride again for years. Then life happened, I moved several times, got married, had kids, and after one failed attempt to get bikes (we actually bought them, they just sucked), we finally bit the bullet and bought decent bikes. Reunited and it feels so good!

 

For the past few months, we've been riding through some of the really great trails in northern Delaware. It's the most peaceful and fulfilling activity, and being in nature is so energizing. We're definitely hooked.

 

Here are a few pics from a recent trip through White Clay Creek State Park in Delaware. We crossed state lines while on the trail and were pretty excited about that! If you live in the area, you have to check it out! The trail mostly follows the creek, but there are beautiful vistas to take in even when you are not right along side the water.

If you look closely at this picture, there are quite a few frogs under the lily pads!

All pictures were taken at White Clay Creek State Park, about 10 minutes or so from the University of Delaware Campus. If you have the chance, you should go!

White Clay Creek State Park
Newark, DE
http://www.destateparks.com/park/white-clay-creek/

Vintage Craft Books: Popular Science, April 1955 (For Dads Day!)

Back in the day, men tinkered with broken things around the house as moms baked cookies and fretted over what apron match their enormous, full skirts. At least Popular Mechanics made it seem that simple and innocent.

This particular issue from APril of 1955 is a gem filled with wonderful images sure to inspire the dad in your life or designers needing to rip off ideas, er, I mean, seeking inspiration.

Get your copy in the SXS Etsy shop here. Makes a great father's day or birthday gift for that special guy.

 

Classic & Simple: Vegetarian Lentil Soup Recipe

Sometimes you just need to get back to the basics! Lentil soup is classic and so easy to make and so yummy in your tummy! Once you get this down, next time, try tinkering around with the spices, add more or different vegetables, use different lentils. Play with it until you make it your own!

Classic, Basic Lentil Soup Recipe
Serves 4, vegan

Ingredients

• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 ribs of celery, chopped
• 1 Tb olive oil
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp marjoram
• garlic to taste (or hing)
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 1 cup of dried lentils
• 5 cups of water
• sea salt & black pepper to taste

Directions

In a soup pot, on medium heat, add olive oil and spices and garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add chopped veggies. Saute for for a few minutes. Add bay leaves and lentils, stir for a few minutes and then add water. Turn down heat and let simmer for about 30-40 minutes (depends on the kind lentils you use, they should be soft, but not falling apart, when done), stirring occaisionally. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over rice or with hot, crusty bread!

Vintage Cookbooks: Home Preserving & Bottling

Home Preserving & Bottling by Gladys Mann (published in 1970) is an awesome reference for all you hipster homesteaders. From jams and chutnies to pickles and beer. There really is something for everyone in this ultimate compendium of preservation.

Thank goodness the menfolk can appreciate all the ladies' hard work!

Something to do with rhubarb other than pair it with strawberries. There are lots of very interesting combos like this one in the book.

Great creepy 70s food photography!

Apple and Red Pepper Chutney! Intriguing! Recipes are given in both US, Imperial, and metric measurements.

Pickled cabbage! Chow chow! Pickled onions (yuck!).

Jams and booze. Booze and jam. And parfaits? A little something for everyone.

Get your copy of Home Preserving & Bottling here in the Scissors and Spice Etsy shop!