Summer Storms

Sometimes you need a rainy day in the summer...so you can stay inside and get things done. That's what I'm doing today! If it had been 100 degrees and sunny, we probably would have packed up and gone to the pool. But, since it's cloudy and on/off rain (although it is sunny now~Texas weather!) we stayed home and I'm doing some much needed laundry. I also took the time to put dinner in the crockpot (red beans for red beans and rice) and I have a loaf of banana bread in the oven. On another day, I would have just thrown those over ripe bananas in the trash. Since I had some time between loads of laundry we will now get to enjoy some banana bread this evening after dinner.

You know it's summer when:

1. You have 5 kids at your house (when you only birthed 2)

2. There is more time to cook

3. No worries about bedtime and if the kids bathed (heck, we'll probably go to the pool tomorrow so forget the shower!)

4. Family time

5. You get more sleep! That's one of my favorites.

Here's the recipe for the Banana Bread, in case you were interested. It's from Mom Rasmussen. I'll give her exact recipe, although I add chocolate chips instead of nuts and also add a little vanilla.

Banana Bread

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

5 Tbs. sour milk (that's milk with a little vinegar added)

3 mashed bananas

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup nuts

350 for 60 min. (Check it at 50 minutes) Makes 1 large loaf pan or 2 small

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, milk and bananas and mix well. Add flour, baking soda and salt a little at a time stirring after each addition. When combined, stir in nuts (or chocolate chips). Pour into well greased loaf pan and bake. Cool in pan a little and then remove to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Great for breakfast if it lasts that long!