LOVE

I used to send this flower to you on your birthday...and on Mother's Day. 

Miss you, Mom. 

Banana Bread Perfection

 

I perfected my banana bread recipe.  I’m pretty psyched about it. It’s a recipe I ad-libbed from the banana bread I had last summer in Maine. A gorgeous banana bread topped with a unique poppy seed streusel that made my heart sing. Well, kind of…it was of course (like most bakery banana breads) made with too much oil and/or butter…too rich.  But, the components were there…they just needed to be modified. And so I modified…and now, I’ve got it.  And I love it. It has just the right amount of whole grains, just enough to add a nutty depth…but not to weighed down with full whole wheat flour.  It’s a perfect mix of white whole wheat flour, whole grain oats and all purpose flour…keeping it light with a sense of heartiness. And there is very little added oil…just enough to make sure all the ingredients combine, integrate and, most importantly, fully cook.  Applesauce is my secret weapon. It keeps the bread moist and happy without adding extra fat from oil. Some chia seeds are tossed in for a playful pop on the palate…and then the streusel. Yummmmm…. Brown sugar, butter…yes melted butter…real butter for flavor and decadence… just a tablespoon or two combined with cinnamon, nutmeg, oats and a little flour…and a huge dose of crunchy umami poppy seeds.  Spread all over the top for the best banana bread ever. Baked for 55 minutes…to golden brown perfection. It's your lucky morning...you don’t have to wait in that crazy line that inevitably forms at the super popular bakery/coffee shop with its hipster/instagram following. Not sure why they don't don’t open until 8am, because by then the line is down the street and everyone is already hangry. And, they might even give you the heal...And still charge you $4 for the slice. My recipe saves you so much stress. Namaste. 

Why do you suffer?

Remind me next time @ the unfair amount of (rocky!!) climbing to be had before you get to the long sweeping super fun downhill. Because it may or may not be worth it for the drug that keeps you coming back for more.

Dear Old Friend

 

It breaks my heart to see a dear old friend

Go down that worn place again

Do you know the sounds of a closing door?

Have you heard that sound somewhere before?

Do you wonder if she knows you anymore?

I wrapped your love around me like a chain

But I never was afraid that it would die

You can dance in a hurricane

But only if you're standing in the eye

Where did you learn to walk?

Where did you learn to run?

Away from everything you love

And did you think the bottle 

Would ease your pain?

Did you think that love's a foolish game?

Did you fine someone else to take the blame?

I am a sturdy soul 

And there ain't no shame

In lying down in the bed you made

Can you fight the urge to run for another day?

You might make it further if you learn to stay

Sweet smell of fall

 

Blue Lakes

 

Change

Change, like the wind

Like the water, like skin

Change, like the sky

Like the leaves, like a butterfly

Would you live forever, never die

While everyone around passes?

Would you smile forever, never cry

While everything you know passes

Death, like a door

To a place we've never been before

Death, like space

The deep sea, a suitcase

Would you stare forever at the sun

Never watch the moon rising?

Would you walk forever in the light

To never learn the secret of the quiet night?

Still, like a stone

Like a hill, like home

Still, what I find

Is you are always on my mind

Could I feel happy for you

When I hear you talk with her the way we used to?

Could I set everything free

When I watch you holding her like you once held me?

Change, like the sky

Like the leaves, like a butterfly

Death, like a door

To a place we've never been before

Would you live forever, never die

While everything around you passes

Would you smile forever never cry?