Healthy Banana Nut Bread

I WON A GIVEAWAY!!!
I wouldn’t call myself an unlucky person, but I never, ever win anything, so winning this just completely made me day… week, even.  I’ve been reading Cindy’s blog for a while now and I love it.  Her recipes are mouthwatering and her photography skills are definitely something I’m envious of. I’m just waiting for summer to roll around so I can make her cantaloupe sorbet. Thank you, Cindy! 🙂 🙂

In other good news today:

I really enjoyed the sermon today at church.  Sometimes I feel bad because I walk away not getting anything from it, but today I did.  It’s days like today that remind me to keep believing because it’s worth it.  “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34.  So true!!

After church, I had a wonderful lunch with Kellen and his family.  I always do; they’re such great people and I’m lucky to be able to be around them.

Also, it’s raining, which means I’m sleeping with the windows open tonight!

All of these good things today are really helping me procrastinate studying for the tests I have this week.  Oh well, take the good with the bad. Haha 🙂

I’m going to be a copycat and ask a question of the day:


What’s your favorite summer treat?
and
If you go to church, do you ever walk away feeling like you didn’t get anything from the sermon?  and 
If you don’t go to church, what have you walked away from, feeling bad, that you expected more out of?

Just feelin’ a little curious today, I suppose.

In other news, check out Katie’s giveaway!

Make flaxseed mixture.

Sift the dry’s.

Melt your banana, if you want.

My favorite part!  Mix everything together and do some quality control.

Wonder why your cat was hiding in the spice rack…

Just stoppin’ by.

I made a little topping of ¼ cup applesauce, ¼ cup chopped nuts, 1/8 cup flour, 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1/8 tsp baking powder)

Bake!

Healthy Banana Nut Bread
Adapted from: Ecurry

Ingredients: (yields one loaf in a 9 X 12 pan)

1. 3 cups whole wheat flour + more for dusting
   
2. a pinch of salt
3. 2 teaspoons baking powder
4. 1/3 cup flaxseed powder
   
5. 1/3 cup + 1 cup orange juice or milk (I used almond milk)
   
6. ¼ cup applesauce
   
7. 1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract (I used vanilla and it turned out really well, but next time I think I’ll use almond, just to try it)
   
8. 1 cup sugar, or ¾ cup agave or honey
9. 1 cup mashed banana, about 3-4 bananas depending on the size (I microwaved mine until they got melty, then added them)
10. 1 cups chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Lightly grease a 9 X 12 loaf pan.
2.  Sift flour, salt and baking powder.
3.  Combine flaxseed powder with 1/3 cup orange juice/milk/almond milk (depending on what you are using), and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
4.  In another large bowl combine oil, sugar (or honey), mashed banana, and the rest of the juice/milk/almond milk, vanilla/almond extract. Add the flaxseed powder mix to this and stir to combine.
5.  Add the flour mix to this wet ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until just blended. This is going to be a sticky gooey mix.
6.  Dust the the nuts with flour. Carefully fold them into the dough.
7.  Spoon the dough into the loaf pan and bake for about an hour to hour and a half or till the toothpick comes out clean (it took 60 minutes in the convection oven).
8.  Cool completely for about 15 minutes before turning the bread over. Slice only when completely cool or it will fall apart.

Healthy Banana Nut Bread

I WON A GIVEAWAY!!!
I wouldn’t call myself an unlucky person, but I never, ever win anything, so winning this just completely made me day… week, even.  I’ve been reading Cindy’s blog for a while now and I love it.  Her recipes are mouthwatering and her photography skills are definitely something I’m envious of. I’m just waiting for summer to roll around so I can make her cantaloupe sorbet. Thank you, Cindy! 🙂 🙂

In other good news today:

I really enjoyed the sermon today at church.  Sometimes I feel bad because I walk away not getting anything from it, but today I did.  It’s days like today that remind me to keep believing because it’s worth it.  “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34.  So true!!

After church, I had a wonderful lunch with Kellen and his family.  I always do; they’re such great people and I’m lucky to be able to be around them.

Also, it’s raining, which means I’m sleeping with the windows open tonight!

All of these good things today are really helping me procrastinate studying for the tests I have this week.  Oh well, take the good with the bad. Haha 🙂

I’m going to be a copycat and ask a question of the day:


What’s your favorite summer treat?
and
If you go to church, do you ever walk away feeling like you didn’t get anything from the sermon?  and 
If you don’t go to church, what have you walked away from, feeling bad, that you expected more out of?

Just feelin’ a little curious today, I suppose.

In other news, check out Katie’s giveaway!

Make flaxseed mixture.

Sift the dry’s.

Melt your banana, if you want.

My favorite part!  Mix everything together and do some quality control.

Wonder why your cat was hiding in the spice rack…

Just stoppin’ by.

I made a little topping of 1/4 cup applesauce, 1/4 cup chopped nuts, 1/8 cup flour, 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1/8 tsp baking powder)

Bake!

Healthy Banana Nut Bread
Adapted from: Ecurry

Ingredients: (yields one loaf in a 9 X 12 pan)

1. 3 cups whole wheat flour + more for dusting
   
2. a pinch of salt
3. 2 teaspoons baking powder
4. 1/3 cup flaxseed powder
   
5. 1/3 cup + 1 cup orange juice or milk (I used almond milk)
   
6. 1/4 cup applesauce
   
7. 1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract (I used vanilla and it turned out really well, but next time I think I’ll use almond, just to try it)
   
8. 1 cup sugar, or 3/4 cup agave or honey
9. 1 cup mashed banana, about 3-4 bananas depending on the size (I microwaved mine until they got melty, then added them)
10. 1 cups chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Lightly grease a 9 X 12 loaf pan.
2.  Sift flour, salt and baking powder.
3.  Combine flaxseed powder with 1/3 cup orange juice/milk/almond milk (depending on what you are using), and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
4.  In another large bowl combine oil, sugar (or honey), mashed banana, and the rest of the juice/milk/almond milk, vanilla/almond extract. Add the flaxseed powder mix to this and stir to combine.
5.  Add the flour mix to this wet ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until just blended. This is going to be a sticky gooey mix.
6.  Dust the the nuts with flour. Carefully fold them into the dough.
7.  Spoon the dough into the loaf pan and bake for about an hour to hour and a half or till the toothpick comes out clean (it took 60 minutes in the convection oven).
8.  Cool completely for about 15 minutes before turning the bread over. Slice only when completely cool or it will fall apart.

Healthy Banana Nut Bread

I WON A GIVEAWAY!!!
I wouldn’t call myself an unlucky person, but I never, ever win anything, so winning this just completely made me day… week, even.  I’ve been reading Cindy’s blog for a while now and I love it.  Her recipes are mouthwatering and her photography skills are definitely something I’m envious of. I’m just waiting for summer to roll around so I can make her cantaloupe sorbet. Thank you, Cindy! 🙂 🙂

In other good news today:

I really enjoyed the sermon today at church.  Sometimes I feel bad because I walk away not getting anything from it, but today I did.  It’s days like today that remind me to keep believing because it’s worth it.  “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34.  So true!!

After church, I had a wonderful lunch with Kellen and his family.  I always do; they’re such great people and I’m lucky to be able to be around them.

Also, it’s raining, which means I’m sleeping with the windows open tonight!

All of these good things today are really helping me procrastinate studying for the tests I have this week.  Oh well, take the good with the bad. Haha 🙂

I’m going to be a copycat and ask a question of the day:


What’s your favorite summer treat?
and
If you go to church, do you ever walk away feeling like you didn’t get anything from the sermon?  and 
If you don’t go to church, what have you walked away from, feeling bad, that you expected more out of?

Just feelin’ a little curious today, I suppose.

In other news, check out Katie’s giveaway!

Make flaxseed mixture.

Sift the dry’s.

Melt your banana, if you want.

My favorite part!  Mix everything together and do some quality control.

Wonder why your cat was hiding in the spice rack…

Just stoppin’ by.

I made a little topping of 1/4 cup applesauce, 1/4 cup chopped nuts, 1/8 cup flour, 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1/8 tsp baking powder)

Bake!

Healthy Banana Nut Bread
Adapted from: Ecurry

Ingredients: (yields one loaf in a 9 X 12 pan)

1. 3 cups whole wheat flour + more for dusting
   
2. a pinch of salt
3. 2 teaspoons baking powder
4. 1/3 cup flaxseed powder
   
5. 1/3 cup + 1 cup orange juice or milk (I used almond milk)
   
6. 1/4 cup applesauce
   
7. 1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract (I used vanilla and it turned out really well, but next time I think I’ll use almond, just to try it)
   
8. 1 cup sugar, or 3/4 cup agave or honey
9. 1 cup mashed banana, about 3-4 bananas depending on the size (I microwaved mine until they got melty, then added them)
10. 1 cups chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Lightly grease a 9 X 12 loaf pan.
2.  Sift flour, salt and baking powder.
3.  Combine flaxseed powder with 1/3 cup orange juice/milk/almond milk (depending on what you are using), and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
4.  In another large bowl combine oil, sugar (or honey), mashed banana, and the rest of the juice/milk/almond milk, vanilla/almond extract. Add the flaxseed powder mix to this and stir to combine.
5.  Add the flour mix to this wet ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until just blended. This is going to be a sticky gooey mix.
6.  Dust the the nuts with flour. Carefully fold them into the dough.
7.  Spoon the dough into the loaf pan and bake for about an hour to hour and a half or till the toothpick comes out clean (it took 60 minutes in the convection oven).
8.  Cool completely for about 15 minutes before turning the bread over. Slice only when completely cool or it will fall apart.

B. Lovin’ It Bars

I love having this blog…a few days ago an old friend of mine that I haven’t talked to in forever sent me a message on Facebook:

“I had an awesome snack the other day, but I have no idea what it was exactly or how it was made. I think it had graham cracker crust on the bottom….& chocolate & peanut butter chips in it…& I THOUGHT come crumbled graham cracker crust on the top & ‘baked’ (it kinda looked that way, anyways…it was kind of brown-looking) coconut. I normally hate coconut, but it was amazing with that stuff & the texture didn’t bother me as much.
Anywho- I figured that since you’re into cooking & baking yummy-ness that you might either know what it is or how to do it…& if possible, I’d love it if you could put the recipe up so maybe I could attempt to make it some time.”

 

She’s sweet and I miss her so it was nice to hear from her!  I assumed that it was a bar called “Magic Bar” or “7 Layer Bar” that I’ve had before.  They’re sooo good and simple.  I made them and brought them into the store today and the guy I work with, Brandon Love, said they’re his favorite thing I’ve made so far; then he told me to name them after him… so here they are… The “B. Lovin’ It Bars”/ “Magic Bars”/ “7 Layer Bars”/ “The Bar of Many Names”.  Just for you Becca! 🙂

P.S. On a side note, Kellen is moving into his new house today, so wish him luck!!

 

 

Magic Bars

Food.com

I made a couple changes to these bars so I’ll put my changes in red.  Also, you can leave out the nuts on some if you want.  I did!

Ingredients:

Yields 16 large bars
16 16

Servings Size

• large cookies

  Update

• ½ cup butter or ½ cup margarine, melted 
• 1 cup graham crackers, crushed to crumbs (chocolate animal crackers)
• 1 cup flaked coconut (organic flaked coconut)
• 6 ounces chocolate chips (1 cup)
• 6 ounces butterscotch chips (1 cup) (white chocolate chips, you could also use peanut butter chips)
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (homemade sweetened condensed milk, but only because I was out of the canned stuff)
• 1 cup nuts, chopped (walnuts)

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
2. Mix graham crackers crumbs (animal cookie crumbs) and melted butter until it becomes dough like.
3. Press the “dough” into the bottom of your dish.
4. Layer the coconut and chips in order given in ingredients list.
5. Pour sweetened condensed milk over all.
6. Top with nuts.
7. DO NOT mix together.
8. Bake for 25 minutes.

B. Lovin’ It Bars

I love having this blog…a few days ago an old friend of mine that I haven’t talked to in forever sent me a message on Facebook:

“I had an awesome snack the other day, but I have no idea what it was exactly or how it was made. I think it had graham cracker crust on the bottom….& chocolate & peanut butter chips in it…& I THOUGHT come crumbled graham cracker crust on the top & ‘baked’ (it kinda looked that way, anyways…it was kind of brown-looking) coconut. I normally hate coconut, but it was amazing with that stuff & the texture didn’t bother me as much.
Anywho- I figured that since you’re into cooking & baking yummy-ness that you might either know what it is or how to do it…& if possible, I’d love it if you could put the recipe up so maybe I could attempt to make it some time.”

 

She’s sweet and I miss her so it was nice to hear from her!  I assumed that it was a bar called “Magic Bar” or “7 Layer Bar” that I’ve had before.  They’re sooo good and simple.  I made them and brought them into the store today and the guy I work with, Brandon Love, said they’re his favorite thing I’ve made so far; then he told me to name them after him… so here they are… The “B. Lovin’ It Bars”/ “Magic Bars”/ “7 Layer Bars”/ “The Bar of Many Names”.  Just for you Becca! 🙂

P.S. On a side note, Kellen is moving into his new house today, so wish him luck!!

 

 

Magic Bars

Food.com

I made a couple changes to these bars so I’ll put my changes in red.  Also, you can leave out the nuts on some if you want.  I did!

Ingredients:

Yields 16 large bars
16 16

Servings Size

• large cookies

  Update

• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, melted 
• 1 cup graham crackers, crushed to crumbs (chocolate animal crackers)
• 1 cup flaked coconut (organic flaked coconut)
• 6 ounces chocolate chips (1 cup)
• 6 ounces butterscotch chips (1 cup) (white chocolate chips, you could also use peanut butter chips)
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (homemade sweetened condensed milk, but only because I was out of the canned stuff)
• 1 cup nuts, chopped (walnuts)

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
2. Mix graham crackers crumbs (animal cookie crumbs) and melted butter until it becomes dough like.
3. Press the “dough” into the bottom of your dish.
4. Layer the coconut and chips in order given in ingredients list.
5. Pour sweetened condensed milk over all.
6. Top with nuts.
7. DO NOT mix together.
8. Bake for 25 minutes.

B. Lovin’ It Bars

I love having this blog…a few days ago an old friend of mine that I haven’t talked to in forever sent me a message on Facebook:

“I had an awesome snack the other day, but I have no idea what it was exactly or how it was made. I think it had graham cracker crust on the bottom….& chocolate & peanut butter chips in it…& I THOUGHT come crumbled graham cracker crust on the top & ‘baked’ (it kinda looked that way, anyways…it was kind of brown-looking) coconut. I normally hate coconut, but it was amazing with that stuff & the texture didn’t bother me as much.
Anywho- I figured that since you’re into cooking & baking yummy-ness that you might either know what it is or how to do it…& if possible, I’d love it if you could put the recipe up so maybe I could attempt to make it some time.”

 

She’s sweet and I miss her so it was nice to hear from her!  I assumed that it was a bar called “Magic Bar” or “7 Layer Bar” that I’ve had before.  They’re sooo good and simple.  I made them and brought them into the store today and the guy I work with, Brandon Love, said they’re his favorite thing I’ve made so far; then he told me to name them after him… so here they are… The “B. Lovin’ It Bars”/ “Magic Bars”/ “7 Layer Bars”/ “The Bar of Many Names”.  Just for you Becca! 🙂

P.S. On a side note, Kellen is moving into his new house today, so wish him luck!!

 

 

Magic Bars

Food.com

I made a couple changes to these bars so I’ll put my changes in red.  Also, you can leave out the nuts on some if you want.  I did!

Ingredients:

Yields 16 large bars
16 16

Servings Size

• large cookies

  Update

• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, melted 
• 1 cup graham crackers, crushed to crumbs (chocolate animal crackers)
• 1 cup flaked coconut (organic flaked coconut)
• 6 ounces chocolate chips (1 cup)
• 6 ounces butterscotch chips (1 cup) (white chocolate chips, you could also use peanut butter chips)
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (homemade sweetened condensed milk, but only because I was out of the canned stuff)
• 1 cup nuts, chopped (walnuts)

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
2. Mix graham crackers crumbs (animal cookie crumbs) and melted butter until it becomes dough like.
3. Press the “dough” into the bottom of your dish.
4. Layer the coconut and chips in order given in ingredients list.
5. Pour sweetened condensed milk over all.
6. Top with nuts.
7. DO NOT mix together.
8. Bake for 25 minutes.

ABC’s, Frosted Cake Batter Rice Crispies, and Homemade Cake Mix

I stole this from Gracie (whose blog I seriously cannot get enough of…also, you should go vote for her in the Women’s Health blog contest), who found it circling the blog world.

A. Age: 20
B. Bed size: twin. I’m okay with it.
C. Chore you hate: Dusting, which is why I don’t do it.
D. Dogs:  Are cute.

E. Essential start to your day: I’m kind of a routine person, so every part is essential, but I HAVE to brush my teeth.  And lately, I’ve looked forward to a green monster every day.  I like that Gracie says her prayers in the morning.  I definitely should start that because I say mine at night and sometimes that leads to falling asleep during them.
F. Favorite color: Silver!
G. Gold or silver: Silver, obviously…
H. Height: 5’4.
I. Instruments you play: None… I wish I could, but there’s this thing called reading music and I can’t do it
J. Job title: Student/Sales Clerk.
K. Kids: Someday. 
L. Live: Good ol’ Kansas.
M. Mom’s name: Holly.

N. Nicknames: K-Mart, Katie Bird, Katie Mar…
O. Overnight hospital stays:  Never, *knock on wood*
P. Pet peeve:  Being late… sentence finishers…realizing I put my shirt on backwards (or something to that effect)
Q. Quote from a movie: May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars. -Blow
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: A half-sister, Angela and a half brother, Joel
T. Time you wake up: MWF- 9, TTH-9:30
U. Underwear: Are necessary.
V. Vegetables you dislike: I don’t like beets.  Yuck!
W. What makes you run late: Nothing! Or my mom…or Kellen.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth…My wrist.  I have this thing called scapholunate separation.  It sounds scary, but it’s nothing.
Y. Yummy food you make: Oreo Cookies

Z. Zoo- I love zoos!!!!

Frosted Cake Batter Rice Crispies
adapted slightly from Jessica

original recipe on the back of the cereal box!

Ingredients: 

Treats:
3 tablespoons butter
1 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows (I used marshmallow fluff because I was out of marshmallows… but this household always has marshmallow fluff.  It’s an obsession around here.)
¼ cup white cake mix (I didn’t have any, so I made my own!  See below…)
6 cups rice krispies cereal
1 1.75-ounce container of sprinkles
Frosting:
½ cup powdered sugar
4 tbsp milk
1 tbsp cake mix
2 tbsp marshmallow fluff

Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat and add marshmallows. Stir until they begin to melt, adding in cake mix one spoonful at a time so its combined. Stir in cereal so it is completely coated with marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle in half of the sprinkles and mix. Press into cupcake pan.

To make frosting:  Mix all ingredients together.  Frost cooled treats!

Homemade White Cake Mix
I am Baker

Dry Ingredients:
2 ¾ cup flour
1 ¾ cups SUPER fine sugar (you can buy this or make it)
2 teaspoon baking powder
¾ tsp salt

Sift together all ingredients and place in mason jar or your chosen storage container.

To make an actual cake:  (Wonderful pictures from: I am Mommy)

ABC’s, Frosted Cake Batter Rice Crispies, and Homemade Cake Mix

I stole this from Gracie (whose blog I seriously cannot get enough of…also, you should go vote for her in the Women’s Health blog contest), who found it circling the blog world.

A. Age: 20
B. Bed size: twin. I’m okay with it.
C. Chore you hate: Dusting, which is why I don’t do it.
D. Dogs:  Are cute.

E. Essential start to your day: I’m kind of a routine person, so every part is essential, but I HAVE to brush my teeth.  And lately, I’ve looked forward to a green monster every day.  I like that Gracie says her prayers in the morning.  I definitely should start that because I say mine at night and sometimes that leads to falling asleep during them.
F. Favorite color: Silver!
G. Gold or silver: Silver, obviously…
H. Height: 5’4.
I. Instruments you play: None… I wish I could, but there’s this thing called reading music and I can’t do it
J. Job title: Student/Sales Clerk.
K. Kids: Someday. 
L. Live: Good ol’ Kansas.
M. Mom’s name: Holly.

N. Nicknames: K-Mart, Katie Bird, Katie Mar…
O. Overnight hospital stays:  Never, *knock on wood*
P. Pet peeve:  Being late… sentence finishers…realizing I put my shirt on backwards (or something to that effect)
Q. Quote from a movie: May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars. -Blow
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: A half-sister, Angela and a half brother, Joel
T. Time you wake up: MWF- 9, TTH-9:30
U. Underwear: Are necessary.
V. Vegetables you dislike: I don’t like beets.  Yuck!
W. What makes you run late: Nothing! Or my mom…or Kellen.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth…My wrist.  I have this thing called scapholunate separation.  It sounds scary, but it’s nothing.
Y. Yummy food you make: Oreo Cookies

Z. Zoo- I love zoos!!!!

Frosted Cake Batter Rice Crispies
adapted slightly from Jessica

original recipe on the back of the cereal box!

Ingredients: 

Treats:
3 tablespoons butter
1 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows (I used marshmallow fluff because I was out of marshmallows… but this household always has marshmallow fluff.  It’s an obsession around here.)
1/4 cup white cake mix (I didn’t have any, so I made my own!  See below…)
6 cups rice krispies cereal
1 1.75-ounce container of sprinkles
Frosting:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 tbsp milk
1 tbsp cake mix
2 tbsp marshmallow fluff

Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat and add marshmallows. Stir until they begin to melt, adding in cake mix one spoonful at a time so its combined. Stir in cereal so it is completely coated with marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle in half of the sprinkles and mix. Press into cupcake pan.

To make frosting:  Mix all ingredients together.  Frost cooled treats!

Homemade White Cake Mix
I am Baker

Dry Ingredients:
2 3/4 cup flour
1 3/4 cups SUPER fine sugar (you can buy this or make it)
2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 tsp salt

Sift together all ingredients and place in mason jar or your chosen storage container.

To make an actual cake:  (Wonderful pictures from: I am Mommy)

ABC’s, Frosted Cake Batter Rice Crispies, and Homemade Cake Mix

I stole this from Gracie (whose blog I seriously cannot get enough of…also, you should go vote for her in the Women’s Health blog contest), who found it circling the blog world.

A. Age: 20
B. Bed size: twin. I’m okay with it.
C. Chore you hate: Dusting, which is why I don’t do it.
D. Dogs:  Are cute.

E. Essential start to your day: I’m kind of a routine person, so every part is essential, but I HAVE to brush my teeth.  And lately, I’ve looked forward to a green monster every day.  I like that Gracie says her prayers in the morning.  I definitely should start that because I say mine at night and sometimes that leads to falling asleep during them.
F. Favorite color: Silver!
G. Gold or silver: Silver, obviously…
H. Height: 5’4.
I. Instruments you play: None… I wish I could, but there’s this thing called reading music and I can’t do it
J. Job title: Student/Sales Clerk.
K. Kids: Someday. 
L. Live: Good ol’ Kansas.
M. Mom’s name: Holly.

N. Nicknames: K-Mart, Katie Bird, Katie Mar…
O. Overnight hospital stays:  Never, *knock on wood*
P. Pet peeve:  Being late… sentence finishers…realizing I put my shirt on backwards (or something to that effect)
Q. Quote from a movie: May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars. -Blow
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: A half-sister, Angela and a half brother, Joel
T. Time you wake up: MWF- 9, TTH-9:30
U. Underwear: Are necessary.
V. Vegetables you dislike: I don’t like beets.  Yuck!
W. What makes you run late: Nothing! Or my mom…or Kellen.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth…My wrist.  I have this thing called scapholunate separation.  It sounds scary, but it’s nothing.
Y. Yummy food you make: Oreo Cookies

Z. Zoo- I love zoos!!!!

Frosted Cake Batter Rice Crispies
adapted slightly from Jessica

original recipe on the back of the cereal box!

Ingredients: 

Treats:
3 tablespoons butter
1 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows (I used marshmallow fluff because I was out of marshmallows… but this household always has marshmallow fluff.  It’s an obsession around here.)
1/4 cup white cake mix (I didn’t have any, so I made my own!  See below…)
6 cups rice krispies cereal
1 1.75-ounce container of sprinkles
Frosting:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 tbsp milk
1 tbsp cake mix
2 tbsp marshmallow fluff

Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat and add marshmallows. Stir until they begin to melt, adding in cake mix one spoonful at a time so its combined. Stir in cereal so it is completely coated with marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle in half of the sprinkles and mix. Press into cupcake pan.

To make frosting:  Mix all ingredients together.  Frost cooled treats!

Homemade White Cake Mix
I am Baker

Dry Ingredients:
2 3/4 cup flour
1 3/4 cups SUPER fine sugar (you can buy this or make it)
2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 tsp salt

Sift together all ingredients and place in mason jar or your chosen storage container.

To make an actual cake:  (Wonderful pictures from: I am Mommy)

Briar

(source)

Wow.

Today, a very extraordinary person had his life taken away.

I’m not going to give you all the spiel about  “not taking life for granted” or “living each day to its fullest” because we all realize that.

All I’m going to do is tell you that a great person is watching over all of us right now and I think he deserves a tribute; from someone who didn’t know him well, but I didn’t need to to write this:

Briar was a great person with a wonderful personality.  He knew how to make people laugh and his smile was contagious.  He took everything lightly and seemed to easily turn a boring situation into a much better one.

In an interview we did in class together, the three words he used to describe himself were “outgoing, a people person, and motivated” and I couldn’t agree more.  He was most definitely outgoing, and I’m sure anyone who knew him (or visited Wal Mart) would have the same opinion.  He was obviously motivated if he was able to accomplish being a manager at Wal Mart by the age of 20 and still be able to go to school at the same time.

My dad actually knew Briar before I did and would come home talking about “that kid at Wal Mart who always jokes around with him."  He actually told me he would sometimes just go to Wal Mart to mess with him.  Once I met Briar, I was lucky enough to experience his joking disposition.

Briar’s plan was to go to Manhattan Chistian to get his ministry degree.  I know that he would have been such an encouraging voice for people.  His life has impacted many.  I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone with such an inspiring goal and an already so accomplished life by the age of 20. I can only hope that people learn from him.

In the words of Briar’s personal motto, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

You will be missed.

Please keep this family in your prayers.  And if you’re not into that, at least send them hope.

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