~One of Our Favorites~Banana Muffins

These muffins are so simple but they're one of our favorites. If we get an overripe banana around here I peel it and put it in a plastic bag in the freezer. When I get three-- it's time to make muffins!

Basic Banana Muffins
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
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3 medium ripe bananas
1 egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, mash the bananas; add egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well. Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups half full. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!

Zooing It

We had a great time at the Ft. Wayne Children's Zoo on Saturday. The tickets were a gift from WBCL. The day started out rainy but turned out to be just perfect. We even got to bring along a cousin! If you love frogs as much as my guys do...then this one is a great size.

This ostrich was very curious. He was attracted to my watch gleaming in the sunlight.

The guys heading out on their expedition into the Austrailian Adventure.

The kangaroos are actually loose. We have even had the opportunity to pet one on a past visit.

The farm area with a very friendly horse.

~A Happy 19th Birthday~

Mmm... an Oreo swirl cheesecake made by an older sister.

Ignore the messy countertop. We were also making potato salad (requested for her birthday meal) and 50 cupcakes for the girls in her dorm.

I got it done! I had this pillow in my head for a while, but didn't start on it until the afternoon that we left to pick her up. Got it done in the nick of time. The colors match her comforter in the dorm room.

It was so nice to have our girl home with us for the weekend! It went entirely too fast. I can't believe that she is nineteen and a college student already. Believe it when anyone tells you that kids grow up fast. It's so true.

New Dorm Room

We planned on visiting our daughter on her birthday. She needed art supplies an hour away. The store was on the way home. This gave us a very good reason to bring her home for the whole weekend!!
Little bros checking out the dorm room and kidnapping their sis for a birthday celebration at home.

This refrigerator was a dark brown wood grain in a former life. The blue spray paint really spiffed it up! Scrapbook paper and photos add some punch to the wall above.

College is going great and the adjustment has been smooth. God has answered our prayers. She is loving all her classes especially the art related ones.

Some Pig!

This is Chad. (For some reason my kids think it's funny to name animals human names.) I think that you can tell by this picture that Chad has an attitude. He is the first 4-H pig that we have had that has left a scar on a family member. He seems to be rather territorial as in...."Don't get in MY pen."

Here is my 10 year old showing Chad at our county fair. Chad did not want to co-operate. He went to the far end of the show arena and would not go anywhere near the judge. The man in the plaid the shirt was petting him which didn't help matters.

We have an apple tree near Chad's pen. The kids started to feed the pigs the apples that had fallen on the ground. We are wondering if Chad may have associated the people's hands with apples? Anyway, the judge didn't even get much of a look at him. Which may not have mattered much because Chad is just a normal pig and not much of a show pig. But to my son he is "Some Pig" and he is having a few regrets about having to sell him later this week.

College Survival Kit

My daughter is leaving for college tomorrow (sniff, sniff). Yes, we've been packing for days. She just received this timely gift last night from someone who recently graduated from college. Such a great idea!

Mmm...what could be inside this cool bag? It's an official college survival kit!

Lots of items to make the transition to college and dorm life a little less stressful.

"Express Yourself" ---Sidewalk Chalk

"Moments of Missing Home"---Package of Kleenex

"Relief"---Bottle of Ibuprofen

"Sweet Dreams"---A Sleep Mask

"Marking Your Territory"---Post-It Notes

"Blessed Silence"---Ear Plugs

"Favorite Snackage for One"---Single-Serve of Frosted Flakes

"Fresh Air a Squeeze Away"---Air Freshener

A great gift from a great girl!! Thanks C!!