On and Off

I am always cold unless it is above 80 degrees.  When I had a pool, I would not go in the water until it reached 87.  And I much preferred it to be about 92 plus.  Having lived in an antique Victorian for eighteen years, I froze from September until June.  Extreme drafts, barely any insulation, super high ceilings, and practically wall to wall-floor to ceiling windows kept things brisk to put it mildly.  I knew someone was coming in the room as the mist from their breath preceded their entry.

The fight in the winter time was to monoploize the blower holes on the pellet stove.  That was a prime position.  While only one person could reap the full benefit, two bodies could squish for the sake of warmth.  Whomever wasn't quick enough was left to sit on a radiator.  Good times.  If you didn't want a backache from being propped up on a radiator, or if your legs grew weary of standing stove-front, you could put on your hoodie or hat, wool sweaters and two or three blankets and sit comfortably on the couch with only exposed parts growing numb such as hands, faces and ears. 

I must disclose that we loved our house, it served us well, and it was a rare beauty with amazing craftsmanship.  But, it was plain old cold.  Now in an energy efficient home, I am still chilly at times, but I can always feel my limbs and my nose once again matches the color of my face.

Then and now, it's all good.

Anyway, I always have either a jacket or a sweater on or at hand because I lived and learned that being cold is not cool.

Jacket on...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now that it has reached a cozy 78 degrees, jacket off...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Shirt:  Zulily, Skirt:  Talbots, Shoes: Talbots, Belt: Ann Taylor, Jacket:  JCP

Banana Split Pancakes

 

 

 

 

 How would you like this for breakfast, lunch or dinner?  As a Sunday morning sundae, possibly?

 

Not only were these scrumptious, and I am not really a banana fan, but they are super easy including the caramel sauce.

Here is how to get these from your screen to your plate...

Beat the bananas.

 Dump all remaining ingredients into the mixer at once and beat for about two minutes or until well combined and creamy.

 Tote batter to the stove.

 Drop by the ladle full and dot with chocolate chips.

 While those are baking on the griddle, make the sauce next to them.

 

 

Plate the pancakes, fluff with whipped cream, drizzle streams of warm, gooey caramel. 

 

 

 A few more chocolate chips, just because.

 Taste test.  I bet you'll need a large test sample.

  

Indulge.

 

 

 

Oh my goodness, will you look at that! Breakfast or brunch or brinner, these banana split pancakes make the meal.

 

 

 

***

 

I made up this recipe and tried to make it much healthier than it looks and tastes, which is the point right-to not sacrifice delectability for lower fat and calorie accountability?

 

For pancakes I used a basic buttermilk formula then embellished and twisted it all around:

2 soft bananas

1 1/4 cups unbleached flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 egg

1 1/2 c buttermilk:  I used 1 1/2 tbspns lemon with skim milk

2 1/8 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tspn salt

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Chocolate chips to your desire

 

After mushing and creaming the bananas, put all other ingredients in mixer and beat until pretty smooth-there will be some lumps, but should not have large clumps of banana.  Yield: approx. 15 medium sized pancakes.

 

For caramel sauce:

1/2 c light brown sugar

1/4 c heavy cream

2 tbs butter

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

shake of salt

 

Put all together in small saucepan and bring to low boil, whisking continuously.  then lower heat and simmer while whisking for about 5 more minutes or until begins to thicken to maple syrup consistency.  DO NOT LEAVE IT TO SIT AND BOIL.  You must keep your eye on this as with any caramel or candy sauce because it will quickly burn or crystalize on edges.   Keep it moving in the pot.  Yield approx. 3/4 c sauce.

 

As with any recipe I make, I improvise, do not always measure so feel free to make changes.  You can always omit or alter to your taste.  And try using what you have on hand if you don't have the same flour or whatever.

 

Caramel recipe adapted/modified from Food Network

 

A Star and Stripes

This historic landmark in Springfield, MA is even more stunning inside than it is outside.  These snapshots of some of the ornate structure do not show the finer details that make up Symphony Hall.  The bird nets around the pillar capitals hide a bit of the Corinthian design from the lens, but it is visible in person.  The building has been graciously restored through the years, and, especially being an antique-freak, is one of my favorite places to attend plays, concerts and school functions.  The lobby, staging and ceilings are gorgeous, and while maintaining the integrity of the historical elements, fully incorporate comfort and coziness.  Symphony Hall hosts the city schools' graduation ceremonies as well as the elementary schools' ballroom dancing competitions.  I think its remarkable that they lend themselves out for these purposes which helps keep a sense of connectedness with the residents.  This place is a star in the eye of the city.

***

This teal striped blouse is transferred from casual to dressier wear with ease and style.  I look for pieces that can migrate from denim to silk with a flutter and not forfeit class or comfort in the process.

 Blouse:  Marshalls, Shoes: Marshalls, Skirt: Burlington Coat Factory, Bag: gift, Belt: Kohls

Growing on Green

Some of my favorite types of "flowers" are in full bloom hedging the roadsides with bouts of pretty.  They are scattered throughout the woods dotting them with color, their happy faces peeking out from the brush.  They wrap around the lake as a floral frame.

I never cared for green clothing on me, as much as I favor the color in nature and for décor.  However, I live with the philosophy of retrying everything you think you don't care for every six months or so, and it just may make a different impression on you. 

When I got this cardigan on super-sale, I was merely complacent with it, grabbing it because I owned nothing similar and I did find it appealing-just not on me in particular.  Well, low and behold, here I am a year later and I am really liking it.  It truly grew on me.

I still hold these under my chin to see if I love butter.  And yup, I do. 

The friendliest flower according to Kathleen Kelly.  I concur.

Just a babe in the woods.  (I'm speaking of the new bud)

Dress: Kohls, Shoes: V Camuto via TJ Maxx, Cardigan: Gap

Strawberry Short-Cuts

Who loves strawberry shortcake? ME.  Who does not want to bake in the oven when it is in the mid nineties and humid?  ME.  Who had a house full of people, four pounds of strawberries and was craving shortcake?  ME.  This called for snappy thinking.

The traditional dense, moist but crumbly baked-from-scratch shortcake reins supreme, no doubt.  However, when it is 95 degrees, or if company arrives unexpectedly, or if the kids are clamoring for something to eat, this is a great fill in for the real deal.

No, I did not want to turn on my oven.  Yes, I had many munchers tugging on my frilly apron strings, and they were not all waist high.   I was filtering through possible ways to make a fake cake and guess what?  Graham crackers fluttered across my mind.  So I chased the idea into these little squares. 

I get a kick out of people's faces, young and old, lighting up about the simple things.  As soon as I started pouring strawberries onto the cutting board, I had a sparkly-eyed audience surrounding me.  These were a huge hit!  No pun.  They literally hit the spot for a no-bake treat, and the floor.  Fair warning, do not stack your cracker with too many slices of strawberries or too high whipped cream.  It will be top heavy, and as you sink your teeth into your first bite, the remainder will slide right off and decorate your floor.  The first one that went down, we laughed and thought it was a clumsy mistake.  Then we started hearing flop, smack, splat.  We had several short-cut casualties on the kitchen floor.  Not funny anymore.

So, three words to the wise; do not heap. 

Wash,

Slice,

Keep slicing,

 

Whip the cream and snap apart crackers,

 

 

 Pile on,

 

 

 

 

Swirl on,

 

 

 

 

Or plop on,

 

 

 

Sprinkle on,

 and done.

 

 

 

 

Fun Tip: 

 Use a different tip to make other designs,

 

 

Allow the clamoring guests whom have been dancing in their shoes intensely watching the assembling process to finally snatch one.