Banana Blueberry Muffins

I made these muffins last night to enjoy for breakfast this morning. I was looking for a healthy banana muffin to use up some frozen bananas that have been in my freezer for quite a long time. I was a little hesitant to make these, as there were quite a few negative reviews. Overall it was still rated with 4 stars, so I decided to give it a try.

They turned out to be delicious and filling! I even brought a couple into a co-worker, and she agreed that they were yummy. This is definitely a recipe I will make again and again.

My frozen bananas were about 2 cups, so I decreased the egg whites to 3 instead of 4, but that was the only change I made to the recipe.

Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe

Anyone remember this song?

Just a boy and a girl in a little canoe
With the moon shining all around
And they paddled and they paddled so
You couldn't even hear a sound
And they talked and they talked till the moon grew dim
He said you better kiss me or get out and swim
So whatcha gonna do in a little canoe
With the moon shining all around

Just a boy and a girl in a little canoe
With the moon shining all around
And they paddled and they paddled so
You couldn't even hear a sound
And they talked and they talked till the moon grew dim
He said you better kiss me or get out and swim
So whatcha gonna do in a little canoe
With the moon shining all a-
Boys swimming all a-
Girls paddlings all a-round

Get out and swim!

I have no idea why, but this old song from Girls' Camp years ago popped into my head a few days ago--only I couldn't remember all the words. I googled them and found a variety of versions, but this is the one most similar to what I remember.

I asked my niece, who just returned from Girls' Camp, if she'd learned the song at camp. She said no, and I was so disappointed. :-( It's a fun song with fun hand motions to go with it.

Maybe next year...
Or maybe I'll just teach her it myself...

Best Birthday Gift!

I already received the best birthday gift I could've asked for!

Yesterday, the bank accepted our offer on 1323 Randolph Ave.

Whoo hoo!!

Birthday Wish List

Yesterday, Dad asked me for a birthday wish list. I took some time to put together a fairly comprehensive list. I've listed some specific items at three different stores. They are priced low to high. While I would enjoy anything from this list, these are also there to give you ideas of what I might like. (I found all of these items online, so I am not sure what will be available in stores.)

Ultimately, I'd love some new clothes--particularly tops. I've listed a few from Land's End below. I generally wear a Medium or Large.

I'd also like a watch, things for the kitchen, games, charms for my Italian charm bracelet, girlie bathroom things (body spray, bubble bath, etc), or whatever you think I might like.

Land's End (located near the Best Buy that Anika works at)

Women's Regular Long Sleeve Embroidered Border Tunic TopSoft Jade, Size M

$12.99 on sale

Women's Regular Cotton Jersey Embroidered Tunic Top

Gray Heather, Size M

$14.99 on sale

Women's Petite Extended-tab Stretch Chino Crop Pants
Black, Size 12
$29.99 on sale

Women's Petite 7-day Twill Elastic-back Cropped Pants

White, Size 12

$34.50

Women's Regular Fine Gauge Cotton Essentials Low V-neck Sweater

Parrot, Size M

$38.50

Women's Regular Curvy Classic No-waist Boot-cut Stretch Jeans
Dark Denim, Size 12
$39.50

Women's Boot-cut Everyday Chino Pants
Shale, Size 12
$39.50


Women's Regular Dotted Poplin Tie Shirt
Admiral Blue, Size M
$49.50



Target

Women's Xhilaration® Offset Squares Watch - Black (or in Silver)
$12.99


Oval Bangle Cuff Watch - Silvertone
$16.99

Cloth Cover for KitchenAid Stand Mixer - Empire Red

$24.99

Apples to Apples Party Game Box

$24.99

KitchenAid 3-pc. Mixing Bowl Set - Red
$24.99


Electronic Catch Phrase Game - 2nd Edition
$26.49

KitchenAid Red Salad and Fruit Spinner
$32.99


Double Dry Food Dispenser - Red
$34.99



Best Books & Gifts (LDS Bookstore near temple)

Add-a-Charm: LDS

$2.49

Link Charm - CTR - Green

$2.95

Fun Never Stops: Games for Families, Groups & Special Occasions

$11.99

Seek - The Original LDS Quiz Game

$14.95

Please Pass the Scriptures

$15.95

21 Days Closer to Christ

$18.95

Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: D&C Edition

$19.95

Doctrine & Covenants Encylopedia - Paperback

$21.95

Ever Wonder...

Have you ever wondered how you can figure out the nutritional value of your favorite home cooked meals?

Check out this link:
http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php?process=resubmit&count=6

It is the easiest way to do this analysis. I've seen other links around where you need to tediously find the ingredients from your recipe in their database. Not with this one! All you need to do is type in your recipe, enter the servings, and hit ANALYZE RECIPE.

If it doesn't recognize your ingredient, it will display a red or orange flag next to that item. You can re-word your ingredient, so that it can be found in their database.

Happy analyzing and healthy eating!

I finally got around to finishing the scrapbook pages from when Brian & Nancy & family stopped in Minneapolis on their way to Boston.

The first page was featured in "My First Attempt." I've since created two more scrapbook pages on the events and put all three together in a slide show.

Let me know what you think.

Temptations are like Tornadoes

Because...

• We can often feel them approaching
• Sometimes they are so fascinating that we don't seek shelter or make proper preparations
• Lots of conditions need to be in place for a tornado (humidity, wind, other meteorological conditions)--this is also true with temptations (i.e. not praying or reading our scriptures)

I thought it was a great analogy when I heard it in a Sacrament talk a few weeks back.

May we all be prepared for the spiritual (and physical) tornadoes that may blow through our lives!!