Well Here I Go!!!!!!!!!

My first blog....WOW!!!!  I swore off Facebook for years, but was convinced to join by a friend who wanted me to see pictures of her kids..........Hooked!!!  (thanks, Lisa)  I also swore, no matter how hard my friends tried, to never play any of the Facebook games.  But again I caved and started playing Farmville....ADDICTED!!!  (thanks, Karen)  So I figured the next progression into my addiction to all things techy would be to start my own blog.  Because let's face it, I'm not busy enough.  (Can you detect that hint of sarcasm??? ) So the question became, "What could I share with the world???" and then it hit me.......COOKING!  So often I am asked to share recipes, cooking tips and "occasionally" asked to make food for parties, family get togethers and school functions.

I am not a professional Chef, I have no formal training, except for the honorary degree I awarded myself from the Food Network.  I wish I could even say that I developed a lot of these recipes but the truth is that most of them have been collected over the years from books, magazines, friends and family and I tweak them to fit our tastes.


I probably started cooking when I was in High School.  My Mom was a single Mom, working full time, raising two kids.  I started playing around in the kitchen, cooking simple meals.  I would love to admit that it was solely out of wanting to help my Mom, but let's face it I was a teenager and HUNGRY !!!!

My Grandmother also had a big part in me taking up cooking.  Like I said, my Mom was raising two kids and my Grandparents helped in any way they could, including Thursday night dinners.  Grandma cooked everything from soups, stews and sauces to casseroles, roasts and, of course, dessert.  Grandpa was her Sous Chef and dish dryer!  =)  I watched her whip up meals, all homemade, with ease.  Everthing was delicious and made with love.

Believe it or not I started collecting recipes in college.  I would comb through magazines in the library knowing that one day I would have a family to cook for.  Yeah, I know, be careful what you wish for!  I am now cooking for a family of five.  A husband that loves to eat, a teenager that never stops eating, a ten year old that can out eat us all and a four year old that loves all things pasta.  And, yes, ALL BOYS!!!!  So I am always trying new recipes and planning meals.

I gave some thought into which recipe I would share with you first.  Kona Banana Bread.  This recipe is out of my Mom's 1'st Better Homes and Garden Cook Book, circa 1950-1960 ish!!  (Yes, Mom I just admitted how old your cook book is and yes, I stole it from your house today!!)  =)  This is probably the first from scratch recipe that I mastered.  I was never sure what Kona meant until I Googled it today and came up with leeward in Hawaiian.  In ancient Hawaii each island had a "Kona" district.  Hmmmmmm......still don't know what that has to do with Banana Bread, but OK.  My husband will even tell you this recipe is better than his Mom's, sorry Linda! =)

Kona Banana Bread


1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
3/4 c. mashed ripe banana (2 medium)
1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Cream together shortening and sugar until light.  (I mix this entire bread with a fork so the batter doesn't get over worked)  Add eggs one at a time, stir in banana.   Sift dry ingredients into the bowl and mix until just combined.  Pour into a greased 9x9x2 inch pan.  Bake @ 350 for 30-35 minutes.

So there it is, Recipe #1 !!!!


Become a fan of my blog.  I will post recipes, cooking tips and the occasional quote or two (You never know what may pop out of this head).  When I post a recipe I will do my best to share where I got it from.  I believe in giving credit where credit is due!!!

BUON APPETITO !!!!!!!