Tag: creative

The Creative Blogger’s Award

The Creative Blogger’s Award

Thanks to Chilly Bella Photo Art, I have been nominated for the Creative Blogger’s Award. I’m not exactly sure what that means, but it feels nice to be recognized by a peer so I’ll take it! Thanks so much!

I’ve only been blogging regularly since the first of this year and hope I’ve brought some joy and fun into some of your lives. Having some of you think of my blog as being inspiring, thoughtful or creative makes me want to put even more thought and energy into making it better. Thanks again.

The Rules

  • Nominate 15-20 blogs and notify all via their social media/blogs
  • Thank and post the link of the blog that nominated you (very important)
  • Share 5 facts about yourself to your readers
  • Pass the rules on to them

Five Facts About Me

  1. I have four older brothers – tomboy supreme.
  2. I’m named after my dad and two of his sisters because my mom was mad at my dad.
  3. I have 2 children, 3 stepchildren, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
  4. Three dogs own me.
  5. I earned my Master’s Degree at age 51.

My Nominations (in no particular order)

Friday Frolics #1 – Easy Banana Cake

Welcome to the inaugural posting for Friday Frolics here at EMGN Designs’ blog.

Friday Frolics will be a variety of things but the common thread will be sharing: a recipe, a DIY project, a craft project, a crochet pattern, a life hack or the like.

Today’s sharing (frolic) is an incredibly easy Banana Cake recipe that doesn’t even require a mixing bowl! That’s right, some measuring cups and spoons, a 9×9 baking pan, a fork and the simple ingredients and you are good-to-go for this delicious and well-loved delight.

The reason for this recipe is another example of ‘waste not, want not’ as in a previous post of mine. Too many bananas, not enough time to eat them. You may ask why I would purchase so many bananas. I didn’t. I will explain how I came into possession of too many bananas in a post next week – “Unexpected Consequences.”
So, let’s get on with this week’s recipe:

EASY BANANA CAKE

Ingredients:

1-1/2 Cups Flour
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1/4 Tsp Baking Soda
A pinch of Salt
2/3 Cup Chopped Pecans (optional)*
2 Mashed Very Ripe Bananas
1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
2 Large Eggs

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Put flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pecans in ungreased 9×9 inch square baking pan (8×8 inch square will work too). Stir ingredients together with a fork until well-blended.
Add remaining ingredients and stir only until blended and smooth. Scrape sides and corners.
Put pan in oven on middle rack. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until wooden pick comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack. Cut into 9 squares and enjoy!

*The pecans can be eliminated or you can change the add-ins in various ways as long as you maintain the 2/3 cup ratio to the recipe when using add-ins. For example, I like to put 1/3 cup pecans and 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips for a sweet surprise or swap out the pecans altogether in favor of 2/3 cups blueberries. When I make this to give as gifts, I eliminate the nuts altogether, mix the ingredients in a mixing bowl, use loaf pans, add 10 minutes cooking time and have a more traditional looking banana ‘bread’ loaf as a result.

Remember, this is a Friday Frolic so if you have a couple of bananas lingering that are past their prime, here’s a quick and easy way to make good use of them while having a bit of a creative frolic as well.

Happy Weekend Everyone!!!

Mystery Box

What’s this? A box labelled, “Open me, if you dare…”

Obviously, this was left here by someone who doesn’t know me very well. The best way to get me ‘off the dime’ is to dare me, so here we go! First the ribbon, now the paper and off comes the lid! What’s inside for me?

A day without pain.

That simple. No more, no less.

Just one day. Not a lifetime, a year, or even a week. Just one day without the wracking physical pain that makes every movement torture. Describe it, you say? Imagine the second or third day of the worst flu you’ve ever had. Now, increase the magnitude by fifty times and you have my ‘good day.’ We won’t talk about the ‘bad days.’ Add to that, the mental anguish of PTSD and depression and you know why I’d wish for one day’s respite as a mystery gift from the universe.

Okay, back to reality. Since that mystery box from the universe isn’t happening today, let’s move on with daily affirmations and positive activities. Get up and get going. Move through the daily routine of mindful, meditative activities that soothe the body and heal the mind. Something as simple as keeping the house orderly can help tame the chaos in a ravaged mind. Taking time for creative activities such as painting, music, crochet, knitting, cooking or other crafts on a daily basis is another way of staying physically active while re-creating positive pathways in the brain.

Thanks for your time today. Here’s to hoping for your mystery box to arrive today.