Walking is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

Translate

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Banana Bars

A summer day.
This is the lake I used to walk around almost every day
where I used to live.
☃     ☃     ☃     ☃
I thought I would be walking inside today because I thought the temperature would be near zero but when I looked at the thermometer I was pleasantly surprised to see it was a warm 21 degrees.  Relatively warm anyway. : )  It was windy and snowing too but I bundled up and had a very nice walk.
Walked around the industrial park, around town and by one of the cemeteries.  There was nobody else out and very few cars.  The crows were out though.  When I walked down by the barn where I see the horses, I saw them in the barn and when I said good morning to them, they neighed back, but stayed in the barn.

I had Ken take this picture of me out the front window when I got back home.  Wanted to show you how bundled up I am when I walk.  I must weigh an extra 10 pounds!!  : )
I walked 6.3 miles.
☃     ☃     ☃     ☃
 It's been snowing pretty much all day and at times it came down looking like a blizzard.  Took this out the dining room window.  The temperature has been falling and right now as I type this it is 8 degrees.  I have a feeling that I won't be walking outside tomorrow.
A nice day to enjoy being at home in a nice warm cozy house.

There were a couple of bananas sitting on the counter that were too ripe to eat.  Thought about making banana bread but didn't feel like making it and besides I'm not really that crazy about banana bread.   Looked around on line for banana cookies.  I didn't find cookies, but did find Banana Bars and so I made them and boy they were really good.
Here they are in the pan done baking, cooled and iced.
Two sit on a plate which will be my snack tonight instead of ice cream.  

I already ate one.  I had to make sure they were good enough to eat. : )

Banana Bars
Ingredients 
BARS
1 cup sugar
1 cup mashed bananas (2 medium)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

BARS
1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan.  Mix sugar, bananas, oil, and eggs. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.  Spread in pan.

2.  Bake 25 to 300  minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (mine were done in 22 minutes.)  Cool completely about 1 hour.

FROSTING
Mix cream cheese, butter and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until blended.  Gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.
Spread cooled bars with the frosting.  Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.
Store covered in refrigerator.

You can freeze the bars up to 2 months.

I went through my recipes today and  organized them.  I got plastic covers and put the recipes in them and then in a big binder.  The plastic will keep them clean.  I came across recipes that I thought I had lost and it was so nice finding them again.  I had to laugh at all the cake and goodie recipes I have.  

I didn't get finished, too many to do in one day but I am pleased with the progress I've made. 

Well, that's it for today.  I'll get a little reading done and then when I watch television I'll do some knitting.

A happy day to you all.
happyone : )
Spread love everywhere you go.
Let no one every come to you without
leaving happier.
~ Mother Teresa 

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful picture of the lake! You look toasty warm in all your layers. Good thing you have the hunter orange scarf so you can be seen. I like your snowy picture out of your dining room window. The banana bars look good!

Stay warm!

Lindy

Billy said...

I love recipes! I own so many cookbooks, I could probably start my own library. The recipe for banana bars sounds divine. Going to try it in the next couple of weeks and will let you know how they turn out. Thanks for sharing!

eileeninmd said...

Yes, you do look warm.. I love the snowy scene out your window.. It is super cold today with wind chills in the minus figures.. The banana bar recipe sounds great, I will have to try it someday.. Stay warm and safe, have a happy Sunday!

Beate said...

That summer picture is beautiful! :)
Good thing you get bundled up so well in that cold. But there is no better feeling than after a great walk no matter the temperatures outside. We got lucky and have some sun out today so I'll go for a walk shortly.
The banana bars look delicious! :)

Happy@Home said...

The banana bars look yummy. I think it's hard to go wrong with anything topped with cream cheese icing.
I've been doing the same thing with some of my recipes. I like how the recipes are protected from spills and splatters by the sheet protectors.
Seeing the lake at your old house brought back memories of your blog posts from that time. Love to see all of the different places you walk.

The Furry Gnome said...

Looks delicious!

John's Island said...

Thanks for the Banana Bars recipe. Looks great! Really like that summer photo of the lake near your previous location. Wow, you have had plenty of winter ... wishing you some spring weather!

George said...

Thanks for sharing the summer photo with us. We really need something like that to warm up a frigid day. The banana bars look delicious.

Sue said...

The summer photo is beautiful, I love it when our farm animals talk to me. I so admire your tenacity, you motivate me so much, In between hospital visits and dr.'s appt. this week i did find time to walk three days, I always think of you when I walk.Several years ago my Mom made me a recipe notebook, I didn't think of placing the protective colors, thanks for sharing, I know what I will be doing soon. ~smile~ Stay warm and safe.
Blessings,
Sue

Jeanne said...

Banana bars look awfully good! I'll have to try them soon.

Deb J. in Utah said...

You are so organized! I have a big binder and also do this with many of my recipes. It seems to work quite well. I haven't been in blog land much lately, but did want to stop by and say hello. I will have to try those banana bars!

Deb J. in Utah said...

You are so organized! I have a big binder and also do this with many of my recipes. It seems to work quite well. I haven't been in blog land much lately, but did want to stop by and say hello. I will have to try those banana bars!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I have never heard of banana bars but wow they look and sound amazing!

o2bhiking said...

Good use of overripe bananas. Sounds like a good Valentine's Day.