Oh Christmas Tree & Cranberry Banana Bread

I think we've got this Christmas tree shopping thing down.  We had a super busy weekend; three nights in a row of parties or outings, tree shopping, more decorating, house cleaning and 4H Cooking meeting at my house, so we had to save time where we could.  Before arriving at the tree lot {no we don't go to a tree farm} I gave Bryce and Paige the run down of what to look for.........a tall, thin Christmas tree.

First row, second tree, we're done!  Back home to decorate some more.

Decorating went pretty smoothly as well.  Dominic did the lights, the kids put the balls and decorations on the tree and I followed behind them to spread out the clusters of 20 they hung on the bottom 1/4 of the tree.  Pretty soon we were completely finished.

I found these mini ceramic, holiday loaf pans at Michael's for $1 each.  Perfect for 4H cooking class that we had going on this weekend.  I found a recipe for a festive Cranberry Banana Bread online at Channel3000 that I thought would work for a group of 10. 

Everyone was really pleased with their creation and happy to be able to take home the ceramic loaf pan to bake something else in after their Cranberry Banana Bread was gone. {recipe below}

I received a Tasting Box from Foodzie in the mail and wanted to give you a peek of what was included.
Alfajores Cookies, Heirloom Cranberry Beans, Bacon Peanut Brittles, Parmesan Flatbreads and Fleur De Sel Caramel Popcorn.

How was your weekend?  Are you finished decorating and Christmas shopping yet?

Cranberry Banana Bread

Makes one 9 x 5-inch loaf

Ingredients:
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2-3 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup fresh or unthawed frozen cranberries, chopped*
• 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine butter and sugar; beat until light. Add egg and beat well. Add baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, bananas, milk, and flour; beat until well blended. Fold in cranberries and walnuts; stir until well mixed. Spoon batter into baking pan.
3. Bake for 1 hour, or until lightly brown on top and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan; then remove from pan and cool on rack.

* Note: It works best to chop the fresh or unthawed frozen cranberries in a small food processor.

Happy Sunday!


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My Guest Post on RhodeyGirlTests & Foodzie Taste Box Winners!

I met Sabrina, {a.k.a. RhodeyGirl Tests}, in person at the recent Foodbuzz Fest a few weeks ago.  She has a food blog and shares great recipes, ideas and stories.  We got to talking about dairy farm life and some misconceptions related to milk and she asked if I would be willing to do a guest post on the subject for her blog.  I was more than happy to do so and it's up today if you want to take a peek.  Here's the link............
RhodeyGirlTests Guest Post


And the winners of the Foodzie Taste Box goes to the following two winners!

Ren Lady of the Arts  and
fleming4716

Look for an email from Foodzie, they will be contacting you to get your mailing address and Congratulations!

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Ready, Set, Shop! 15 Gift Ideas For Your Holiday Hosts & A Giveaway!!

Okay, Thanksgiving is over.  Next on the list, Christmas and a plethora of holiday parties! While you're out doing all your Holiday shopping after Thanksgiving, don't forget to shop for Hostess/Host gifts for any holiday party you may be invited to. 

Is it necessary to give the Host a gift?  No, but it sure is thoughtful! 

With holidays rolling around, many of us are invited to more parties than normal.  For me, when I'm invited to a party....dinner party, cocktail party, or New Year's party, I like to bring the Host a little gift to show my appreciation for being invited.  After all, a lot of time and energy goes into throwing a party so it's nice to show appreciation towards your Host.  Now the gift doesn't need to be something expensive or extravagant.  Here are some of the things I like to give:

1.  A cheese basket with some of your favorite Artisan Cheeses with a cheese cutter included

2.  Hand towels for the powder room

3.  Packages of cocktail napkins, maybe monogrammed

4.  Desk calendar for the coming year (appropriate in late fall or winter)

5.  Bottle of liqueur or cognac you know the host is fond of

6.  Sturdy canvas tote bag

7.  For the cook, two or three unusual kitchen utensils, such as a pasta lifter or egg separator

8.  For a golfer, a dozen golf balls

9.  Set of nicely packaged herbs and spices or a selection of peppercorns (black, white, red, green)

10.  Picture frame, with a picture taken during your visit sent later

11.  Candles and informal candlesticks

12.  Houseplant in a permanent, simple-yet-decorative pot

13.  A cookbook or cocktail / appetizer recipe book or a new best selling book you know will interest the   host

14.  Home baked goods in a decorative container, such as mini loaf bread in a ceramic mini loaf baking dish   {I just found some Christmas ones at Michael's Crafts for $1 each!}

15.  A music CD.  Christmas music if it's holiday time or one you make yourself on itunes

All photos courtesy Google Images

A Gift For You!!

A few weeks ago at the Foodbuzz Fest, I met the good people at Foodzie, who run an online marketplace where you can discover and buy food directly from small passionate food producers and growers.  They have offered to give my readers, you,  a food Taste Box for free, which is a collection of gourmet sample goodies!  All that you need to do is leave a comment below and don't forget to leave your email {don't worry your email is kept private} Just a little gift for you!  This is open to anyone, so feel free to share this information by Tweeting it, 'Like' on Facebook, or telling your friends!  I will announce the randomly chosen winner on Monday!  Good luck!
U.S. residents only.

Happy Shopping!


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