Save the Date

Sin City

The Mister and I are about to head off for Vegas. We're leaving on Thursday, and meeting up with Gina & Mark, and the Stern sisters. Can't wait for this little vacation that has been months in the making. The last time we were away from the Kid was March of 2008. We went on a weekend cruise that was horrid!

Dessert of the Week: Brownies & Lemon Bars

We went to visit our friends Amber & J.R. Mills on Sunday. I bought them a Lime Zest platter from Crate and Barrel, and adorned it with my lemon bars.

I felt bad that the Mister didn't get any brownies the first time around this month, so I have 18 minutes left on them in the oven! I'm glad I'll have ample time to cool them this time, because cutting them fresh sucks.

Favorite Lunch

I was just looking in the freezer what goodies the Mister bought at the market. But I did not see my favorite lunch. So this is for the Mister...a reminder:

Halloween Poll

What should the Whiteleys be for Halloween?
	Alice in Wonderland
	Greasers
	Insects
	Witches
	Other
= see results =

Animal Sounds

Madison Rides a Roller Coaster!

So I don't have any pictures, because I was with her...but Madison rode Gadget's Go Coaster at Disneyland on Friday. She loved it!

Nap Time

So getting Madi down for a nap proved to be a bit of work. I put her
down, tucked her in. Quiet, for like 5 minutes, then I hear the pitter
patter of little feet. Busted.

I put Mad down again. Quiet for almost 10 minutes, she must be asleep.
Then the pitter patter of little feet again. This time she heard me
coming, and jumped back into bed and closed her eyes. But when I
confronted her about the situation she sported a mischevious smile.

So I ended up rocking her to sleep. Ugh.

The Mister suggests a nanny cam for her room. To record her naughtiness.

UP NEXT on my to conquer list

Naleśniki, otherwise known as crepes or blintzes. I used to make these regularly for a light dinner, but haven't made them since 2003. Also, I really want to make my own Pierogi. My mom makes the best ones (but which Polish mom doesn't). But I think it's my turn to learn the art.

Dessert of the Week: Banana Bread

Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.

Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk, cinnamon and vanilla. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack and cool completely before slicing.

Spread slices with honey or serve with ice cream.

Big Girl Bed

My Parents are Polish

I got to thinking, where are my parents from. Granted I know, and I've been there, but for everyone else here it is...

My mom is from Stalowa Wola, Poland and my dad is from Miedzylesie, Poland.

Esther Williams Eat Your Heart Out

Dessert of the Week: Brownies

I baked these for the Crate & Barrel inventory potluck.


Ingredients
Soft butter, for greasing the pan
Flour, for dusting the buttered pan
4 large eggs
1 cup sugar, sifted
1 cup brown sugar, sifted
8 ounces melted butter
11/4 cups cocoa, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup flour, sifted
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8-inch square pan.

In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs at medium speed until fluffy and light yellow. Add both sugars. Add remaining ingredients, and mix to combine.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured 8-inch square pan and bake for 45 minutes. Check for doneness with the tried-and-true toothpick method: a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan should come out clean. When it's done, remove to a rack to cool. Resist the temptation to cut into it until it's mostly cool.