"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

Albert Einstein

(I choose the latter! ;)

Blessings,

Debra)

From My Kitchen

to Yours!

Old Fashioned Banana Bread

1/2 c. vegetable oil
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. bananas mashed (2 very ripe medium sized bananas usually makes one cup)
1 T. lemon juice
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together vegetable oil and sugar in large bowl.
Mash bananas with a fork and stir in lemon juice.
Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
Alternate mixing a third of the flour and bananas into the sugar and oil mixture, and stir until just combined. Pour into an un-greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.


This wonderful old recipe is a family favorite! It is very easy to make and delicious too! Recently, I tried making this with whole-wheat flour and it just didn't have the light, delicate texture I love. Whole-wheat flour is much too dense for the amount of leaving in this recipe, so I will recommend using white flour for the best results.

Enjoy!

Blessings,
Debra

Earth is crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God:
But only he who sees takes off his shoes.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

~ Albert Camus

Make Your Own

Household Cleaners!

With the economy as it is, everyone is looking for ways to save a little money these days! Here a few recipes to make your own household cleaners with everyday ingredients you already have around the house! They are less expensive than commercially made cleaners, and most are environmentally friendly!


All-Purpose Cleaner

Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of water, put into a spray bottle. Use this for cleaning non-wood, hard surfaces, and tile.

Wood-Furniture Polish

Mix 1 cup of olive oil with ½ cup of lemon juice. Rub a small amount on wood with a soft cloth to polish wood. Store in sealed container.

OR

6 teaspoons light olive oil
3 cups distilled white vinegar

Pour the oil and vinegar into a 1-quart spray bottle. Blend well.
Spray the cleaner onto wood, wipe over with a damp cloth, and finish drying with a clean, lint-free cloth.
(Note: Use this cleaner only on sealed wood.)

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar.

Tub/Sink Cleaner

Use baking soda as a scouring powder. Add a little bit of water to some baking soda to form a paste. Paint the paste onto the area you need to clean, and let sit for a half hour, then scrub it off, and re-scour with dry baking soda.

Glass/Mirror Cleaner

Mix together 1 cup of rubbing alcohol
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of white vinegar

Pour into a spray bottle

OR

Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water. Pour mixture into a spray bottle (I use old pump hairspray bottles).
Note: I use old newspapers instead of paper towels to wash my windows for a streak free shine!


Blessings,
Debra

Deep Roots

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

- J.R.R. Tolkien