Summer 2019 Reading List

Originally posted on May 23, 2019. 

Is there really anything better than losing yourself in a good book? When the kids are finally in bed and I have some ME time, I love picking up a great book and getting sucked in. I'll put on a face mask or self-tanner first and really make the most of that quiet time. (That multi-tasking mom life never really takes a break, am I right?!)

My love for reading extends to digital and audio books, but nothing beats a good old paperback for me. I love turning the pages and always knowing just how much is left so I can gauge how long to keep reading. Sometimes if I'm having a hard time getting into a book I'll even peek ahead to see if what's coming sounds juicy. HAHA!

Luckily, I have quite a few friends and family members that love to read too so we swap books and recommendations. This is a great way to find a new author and get reviews from people you trust (Because the online reviews are seriously all over the place sometimes!) Another great source of inspiration? Book Clubs and Goodreads! If you aren't following the Hello Sunshine book club by Reese Witherspoon, start now, her picks are always new and hot.

My list of recent reads includes both new and older titles because there are SO many good books and I can't always keep up. Matt buys them for me two or three at a time so there's always a new book waiting for me. You'll probably notice I gravitate towards mystery and thrillers. They're so fast-paced and addicting! Second favorite genre? Chick-lit! I love the drama and dilemmas of love and heart ache. Bring on the Nicholas Sparks!

Recent Reads

• Behind Closed Doors, by B.A. Paris - Currently reading and LOVING!
• The Last Mrs. Parrish, by Liv Constantine - Couldn't put this down and loved the twist at the end.
• All the Missing Girls, by Megan Miranda
• Girl, Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis - Listened to this on audio book while commuting - definitely recommend that format.
• The Light We Lost, by Jill Santopolo
• The Husband's Secret, by Liane Moriarty - Really, I love all of Liane Moriarty's books
• The Woman in Cabin 10, by Ruth Ware
• The Couple Next Door, by Shari Lapena - The suspense was killer!

Books to Read this Summer

• Not that I Could Tell, by Jessica Strawser - Already bought and waiting for me!
• Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate
• Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens - This author went to UC Davis!
• Pieces of Her, by Karin Slaughter
• A Curve in the Road, by Julianne McLean
• Winter in Paradise, by Elin Hilderbrand - Queen of the beach read - love her books for summer time.

I'm not the only reader in the family; Matt and the girls love books too. Yay! Chelsea was an early reader and enjoys joke books, comics, and many different chapter book series. I am buying new ones every time her school has a book fair or class book order. A couple months back she wanted so many books that she did extra chores to pay for the books herself. MOM WIN!

Brooke and Addy like the stories and pictures in the chapter books too so sometimes I'll read them aloud for story time. Here are some of our favorites book series for girls.

Book series for girls

• Mercy Watson, by Kate DiCamillo - Amazing illustrations and super cute to read aloud. Brooke and Addy enjoy these as much as Chelsea.
• The Princess in Black, by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
• Owl Diaries, by Rebecca Elliot
• Junie B. Jones, by Barbara Park
• Dragon Masters, by Tracey West
• Jojo and Bow Bow, by Jojo Siwa
• Purrmaids, by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen - Adorable! Perfect for ages 6+
• Magic Tree House, by Mary Pope Osborne

And there you have it! Relax, recharge, and escape for awhile with a great new book. What are you planning to read next?

Best Banana Bread

Originally posted on May 15, 2019.

As long as I can remember I have loved baking. I mean who doesn't want to help make delicious sweet treats, am I right?? Plus helpers alwayyys get to lick the bowl or spoon so it's a no-brainer. I also enjoy the process - finding a recipe, getting the ingredients, measuring it all out, and watching (and smelling!) it bake. And, of course, the taste testing once they are done. Duh!

In my house, my kids love bananas. Like A LOT. Seriously, we buy like 2-3 bunches per week. They are perfect for lunches and snacks and my kids almost always pick them as their first choice for fruit. Plus, I love them too. When I was a kid one of my favorite after school snacks was sliced bananas with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on it and I've definitely transferred that love to my kids.

This banana bread recipe takes the banana + cinnamon combo up a notch. As soon as it's out of the oven and coated with cinnamon sugar, I slice it up and poof! it's gone. Seriously doesn't last longer than a day, it's that good. So easy too.

Any good banana bread recipe starts with ripe bananas. You want them soft, at least a couple days past when the kids would eat them, but before they are totally blackened. Don't worry if there are bruises or super mushy spots - you can cut those out. Once the bananas are ripe, it's time to whip up some bread!

First up, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Don't skip the preheat either - I know my husband is always forgetting this step, but it matters! Your bread will bake much more evenly when the oven is properly preheated.

Next, grease up a 4 x 8 inch loaf pan. I've used both glass and non-stick pans for this recipe but find the bread cooks a lot better in non-stick. This Williams-Sonoma ceramic-coated loaf pan is my absolute favorite. Another favorite? The Wilton Bake Easy non-stick spray. I put a light coat of this on pretty much every pan before baking. Works amazing.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, slice up 2 large bananas, or 2-3 small bananas and mix them on medium-high speed until smooth. The more you mash or mix the bananas, the less chunky the batter will be. If you want some bits of banana in the bread, leave it chunky, otherwise, mix it up until it looks like applesauce.

Once the bananas are mashed add the remaining ingredients in the order listed. Seriously, just dump them all in the mixing bowl - no need to mix the wet and dry ingredients separately. Add the melted butter last, then slowly turn the mixer up to medium and whip until just combined. Only about 30 seconds - don't over mix.

Use a spatula to give the batter a final mix to ensure everything from the bottom and sides of the bowl got mixed in. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and pop it in your preheated oven.

Bake at 325 degrees for 60 minutes. Once the top has a nice golden brown and a tooth pick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean you know it's done. Let it cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes.

Run a knife along the sides of the pan to ensure a clean release and transfer the bread to a cutting board. While the bread is still warm, prepare the cinnamon sugar topping by mixing 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

Spread butter along the entire top surface of the bread and sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar. The butter and sugar mix to create a delicious coating that seeps into the top of the bread making every bite just a little bit sweeter.

Slice and serve warm or if serving later, reheat a slice in the microwave for 15 seconds to get that just-baked taste.

Sure to be a family favorite, this banana bread recipe delivers - easy, moist, and great banana flavor with the perfect sweet topping! Enjoy!

Ingredients

Banana Bread

• 2-3 ripe banana
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup melted butter

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 and grease a 4x8 inch non-stick loaf pan.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add bananas and mix on medium speed until smooth.
3. Add remaining ingredients to the mashed bananas in the order listed. Once all ingredients have been added, mix on medium speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.
4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake at 325 for 60 minutes. Loaf should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
5. Let the bread cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to release from the pan and transfer to a cutting board.
6. Once transferred, add cinnamon sugar topping (optional). Mix sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until combined. Spread butter on top of warm banana bread and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
7. Cut loaf into slices and serve.