Banana Pudding

I got my absolute favorite Banana Pudding Recipe about 13 years ago. Curtis Akins, one of the original food network chefs, is a vegetarian soul food chef (is that an oxymoron?), and he made this pudding. Once I tried it I was hooked. All natural vanilla custard (that means no cool whip!), bananas and vanilla wafers. Simplicity at its finest. The recipe goes like this:

Banana Pudding

2-3 bananas, sliced

Vanilla Wafers

1 cup sugar

2 Tbsp flour

2 eggs

2 cups whole milk

1 tsp. vanilla (I use homemade vanilla, it's lighter)

In a large bowl (2 qt.), place one layer of sliced bananas, then a layer of wafers until bottom of bowl is filled (I put one banana and wafer on sides), making sure that the top layer is wafer. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, beat eggs. Add sugar and whisk until combined. Whisk in flour, vanilla, and milk. Place on medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard coats the wooden spoon. Pour over banana and wafer layers. Chill to allow the custard to set (at least four hours or overnight).

Variety is the spice of life!

I made scrambled eggs on Saturday morning, and when I opened the container, I just had to share the sight before me. Beautiful shades of dark brown, light brown, blue green and white greeted me. One of the many benefits of getting fresh eggs is the beauty that nature provides. Beth, you are awesome! Thank you so much for your family's kindness and generosity. We always appreciate it.

That little sneak!

Ah, Saturday morning and a good cup of coffee! I don't usually drink coffee during the week, but I indulge in a cup on the weeknd mornings. So yesterday, I was finishing up the book from our mother/daughter book club, and out of the corner of my eye, I catch my little Danny sipping my hazelnut blend. Over the course of twenty minutes, I count fifteen times! I couldn't say "no" because he gave me that smile of his. I guess I'll be sharing my weekend cups from now on.

Have you ever had one of those days?

Wednesday night, after a particularly trying day, we went out to dinner. On the way out of the restaurant, we looked up and saw a double rainbow in the sky! It was so pretty, we all stood in the parking lot for a minute enjoying one of nature's true gifts, and it made me forget for a moment about the day. We are blessed, and sometimes it takes a simple thing to remind me of that.

My little Pooper Scoopers

Ah, one of the cold hard facts of having a dog. In order to have a usable yard, you have to scoop. Fortunately for George and me, Zachary did a wonderful job of training Megan (passed the shovel, you could say). Now, it is a responsibility not to be left off the chart. Every weekend, they trudge out to the back yard to complete their duty, and they look awesome doing it. Love the stylin' anglophile shirt, Megan! Can you tell whose daughter she is?