A Little South Florida Remix

Jamaican Banana Bread

Cooking spray
2 tbsp stick margarine, softened
2 tbsp tub light cream cheese, softened
1 c sugar
1 large egg
2 c all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1 c mashed ripe banana
1/2 c skim milk
2 tbsp dark rum or 1/4 tsp imitation rum extract
1/2 tsp grated lime rind
2 tsp lime juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c chopped pecans, toasted
1/4 c flaked sweetened coconut
1/4 c packed brown sugar

2 tsp margarine
2 tsp lime juice
2 tsp dark rum or 1/8 tsp imitation rum extract
2 tsp chopped pecans, toasted
2 tbsp flaked sweetened coconut

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat an 8"x4" loaf pan with cooking spray; set aside

Beat 2 tbsp margarine and cream cheese at medium speed; add 1 c sugar, beat well. Add egg; beat well.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir well. Combine banana and the next 5 ingredients (banana through vanilla), stir well. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, alternatively with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture, mix after each addition. Stir in 1/4 c pecans and 1/4 c coconut.

Pour batter into prepared pan; bake at 375 for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan 10 minutes, remove from pan. Let cool slightly on a wire rack.

Combine brown sugar and 2 tsp each margarine, lime juice, and rum or extract in a saucepan; bring to simmer. Cook 1 minute; stir constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in t tbsp each pecans and coconut, spoon over loaf.

The Yellow Obsession, Continued

By clicking HERE, you will see my latest yellow obsession. :)

For all of you who are requesting Becky's blog site address:

Click HERE

{What I Love Wednesday}

Yellow & Something Cool from Becky's Blog

Lately I've been obsessed with the color yellow. It sort of hit me by surprise, because I used to hate yellow. Perhaps it's because, as a teen, I convinced my mom to let me paint my bedroom a frightful shade of yellow called "banana split." It was even brighter and more offensive than it sounds, believe me. It was such a brazen shade of yellow that you could tell it was yellow at night with the lights off. Maybe it's true that your tastes change every seven years, because it has been about seven years since that awful bedroom was yellow. The color of yellow I'm into these days varies from mustard to turmeric. I'm not sure what got me so excited about yellow. Perhaps it's the fact that I love accenting my closet full of purples with yellow handbags. I've got two. I got my first yellow purse at Leenalu in downtown Richmond. It's one of those annoying stores where you wish they had on online store, but it's just a boutique and they don't. I found some of the most amazing accessories there, too! My second yellow bag came from Rich for Valentines' Day. He did an amazing job picking it out. I don't think the colors are showing 100% true in these pictures, but here are my yellow bags.

The bag from Rich :)

This is the bag from Leenalu.

Now I'm thinking of using a beautiful, warm spice yellow in the master bedroom of our new place. We move soon--a perfect time for a face lift. :) I found the perfect textiles at Ethan Allen. However, the occasionally sensible soul inside of me can't see paying EA prices, because I'll probably be onto something else sooner rather than later. So, we'll see what happens!

SEE ETHAN ALLEN'S YELLOW BEDROOM TEXTILES HERE! 

Now, onto the latest piece of awesomeness from my cousin Becky's blog. I am a greedy little hound when it comes to her blog. I love it! I'm always waiting for her to post something new for me to read. I love the little tips and tricks she gives, the items she posts about (how did I LIVE without some of it?), her sense of humor, and watching her decorate her new house, one room at a time. I'm fascinated with the way she repurposes things, and they look amazing once she's done!! This time it's an "accessory" for grocery shopping. Now I do try to remember to use my reusable grocery shopping bags, but these "bags" take the cake. I ordered two in baroque sand immediately!! 

Find what I love HERE!!

Stovetop Pizza Casserole

If you're wanting to make an easy dinner that's reminiscent of pizza, Pizza Casserole is the way to go. It's really a no brainer. My favorite thing about it is that you can make it just as you like your pizza. I made mine to suit the hubby. Meat Lovers', I guess.

2 cups medium-shell pasta (dry)
1 lb Italian sausage, browned
1 package pepperoni
1 14-oz jar of pasta or pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp pizza seasoning
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp chopped dried onions

Boil & drain the pasta. Brown the meat with the garlic, garlic salt, and onion. Combine everything into a pot over medium heat till it heats through. Eat. :)

AFTER A DAY LIKE TODAY, THIS CONCEPT MAKES SO MUCH MORE SENSE. 

                                              CHOCOLATE CASTLE!!!!!!!

Yes, it's made completely from chocolate. :)

Happy Valentines' Day

On Valentines' weekend in 2007, I went on my first dinner date with Rich. Our first date had been two months prior. As crazy as I was about him then, I've come to appreciate him so much more in these past four years. I have been so blessed to have married a man who loves me no matter what, is forever laughing with me, stays as a steady as a rock through life's ups and downs, works unbelievably hard--not only to provide life's necessities, but also the things he knows or thinks I "want," and who remains my best friend. He puts up with me when I am cranky, makes fun of me when I am being ridiculous, laughs at me when I being a snot, and reminds me what life is truly about. He has even learned how to kindly co-habitate with my obnoxiously demanding and crabby chihuahua. :)

Since we moved to Fort Lauderdale, not knowing a soul out here, we have built the most amazing life together. God has blessed us with great friends, a one-in-a-million church, and even put some college friends just an hour away. :) We had such a great Valentines' weekend together--and my sweet valentine got me an outrageously adorable bag that he knew I would love. :) So I guess to my list of the things I love about my sweetheart, I will have to add "amazing gifter!!" I have so much enjoyed spending the weekend celebrating us--each year adds new depth to our relationship that makes "us" just that much better!

Happy Valentines' Day!