Update

Well, it's been a month or so since I updated this blog. I've been working a lot, which has been good, I love feeling productive. Unfortunately, my back has been hurting for about the same time. The thought occurred to me the other night that it might be grief. Sure enough, when I spoke that out some relief came.

The truth is, I thought I was okay with turning 40 and I thought I was okay with Jade going off to college, turns out I'm not okay with either. I've been doing the best I can to just put one foot in front of the other the last month or so. Jade had severe separation anxiety when she was little, I think I'm now the one experiencing it. Blah. So that's what I know. We're having a graduation/going away party for her on August 14 (one week after my birthday... I figure I'll celebrate at some point...my first born leaving kinda trumps all else). Move in date at LMU is Aug. 27....

Recipe of the week: Banana Bread

I've been making this recipe for years but I think I perfected it when I was baking for the coffee bar at church (which sadly I'm not doing anymore). I almost always double it but this is for a single loaf. For the flour I use 1 cup of whole wheat and 1/2 cup of unbleached, but you can use all unbleached or all whole wheat. I never use all purpose in anything. I also always use non-aluminum baking powder. We like walnuts but you can try pecans. I've even added dark chocolate chips, the kids loved it, kinda like Chunky Monkey ice-cream in bread. Let me know what you think. A Votre Sante!

Banana Bread

1 cup ripe mashed bananas (about 3 medium)
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 egg
1/4 cup canola or safflower oil
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the dry ingredients together. Make a well in the center and add bananas, oil and egg. Mix until combined, add nuts. Spray loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and fold in batter. Bake for 45 minutes or until a knife or toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!

Independence vs. Relationship

I can hardly believe today is the 4th of July! This year is just flying by. Happy Independence Day. I am grateful to live in this country, grateful for my freedom, grateful to those who have died to make it possible.

I used to pride myself on being an independent type of girl. A couple of years ago I read an amazing book called 'The Shack'. This quote challenged me: "When you chose independence over relationship, you became a danger to each other. Others became objects to be manipulated or managed for your own happiness. Authority, as you usually think of it, is merely an excuse the strong use to make others conform to what they want." - Sarayu, These days I'm trying to choose relationship more often. Even when it means being late, or not getting something done. I've found it to be worth it. I'm certainly not perfect at it, and sometimes need to be reminded, but in the end our relationships are we've got (according to Sara Groves).

I hope this day finds you well and surrounded by love, beauty and relationships.

Ciao.