All Change

Well, it's all change in the Smith household. I was made redundant on Saturday and I have decided to be a full time mum and concentrate on my painting and knitting. I was offered a couple of days work with a pay cut but I just decided I would take this as an opportunity to do something that I've always wanted to do. If we start to struggle or I go a bit mental from being at home all the time then I'll start looking for some part time work, but we'll give it a good go. My first week has gone pretty wall and have made a good start on both my painting commissions and the dirty washing mountain! My lovely husband said that he would introduce me to the washing machine (cheeky git!).

So here are my paintings so far (both not finished...especially the top one. A work in progress so watch this space)......


and here is my groovy 80's chick who again dressed herself! Absolutely gorgeous :O)

Going Bananas

I've just made my second banana bread in just over a week and boy is it yummy! So yummy I thought I would share the recipe with you. I'm not sure where I got the recipe from so apologies for not giving credit where it is due.

100g butter (unsalted, soft)
140g light muscovado/brown sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 ripe bananas mashed (depending on size of bananas)
50g pecans, roughly chopped (or any nuts of choice)
50g raisins or choc chips
150ml buttermilk or crème fraîche
280g plain or wholemeal flour
1 tsp bicarbonate soda

Cooking time 75 minutes
Oven temp: with fan 160 degrees C/without fan 180 degrees C

*cream butter and sugar
*beat eggs and add gradually to butter/sugar mixture
*stir in mashed bananas, pecans, raisins and buttermilk
*Sift flour and bicarb soda on top of banana mixture
*fold in, don't over mix
*spoon into tin and level top

It is soooo easy and very tasty. I have done this recipe three times and haven't have ANY problems. I have done choc chips, pecans and bananas....and raisins, pecans and bananas.....and this time I did it with wholewheat flour and all have been great. I always use low fat crème fraîche as I like healthy-ish x

Miss G got home from school yesterday and I sent her up stairs to get dressed and this is how she came down! I think the odd socks really set the outfit off!