Cookies only Elvis (and everyone else) could love

OK - one more recipe and back to sewing. These cookies are addictive. I say this from experience because I made them last week and made them again today. I give you Peanut Butter Banana cookies from Rara Bakes blog. I added cranberries and cashews. I didn't even need to plug in mixer - all mixing was done by hand.

Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

- 2 very ripe bananas, mashed

- 1/2 cup peanut butter, chunky

- 1/4 cup brown sugar

- 1/2 cup white sugar

- 1 tsp baking powder

- 1/8 tsp salt

- 1-1/2 cups flour

- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I recommend good quality dark chocolate chips)

- 1 tsp vanilla (not in original recipe)

In a medium bowl, combine bananas, peanut butter, and sugars.

Add baking powder and salt. Stir.

Add flour in 3/4 cup increments, stirring after each addition.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Drop by large spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Flatten the top of each cookie with a rubber spatula.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 9-11 minutes. Makes 14 cookies.

Absolutely No Strawberries!

I can't for the life of me figure out why someone would want to ruin a perfectly good rhubarb dish (from pies to crisp to cake) by adding strawberries. In my mind, there are only two ways that strawberries should be eaten, fresh/raw or in preserves.

Instead of making my usual rhubarb crisp (or pie) from the rhubarb that grows in my front yard, I searched the web for rhubarb cake recipes and decided on this one located on The Rhubarb Compendium (section 10.3). I used non-fat yogurt because I made a mistake at the market and picked some up (I always buy Strauss whole milk yogurt).

Ravishing Rhubarb Cake

Ingredients:

3 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
11/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup applesauce or plain nonfat yogurt
3 cups uncooked rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Beat eggs, salt, sugar and vanilla in large bowl. Stir in flour, soda and cinnamon. Add applesauce, rhubarb and nuts; stir until well blended.

Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour. Cool; dust with powdered sugar. Yields 20 servings.

Men's Shirt Recon into Women's Blouse

I've been wanting to reconstruct a men's shirt for quite some time, and finally got around to it. I used one of John's XL men's short sleeved shirt and turned it into a medium size babydoll blouse, complete with fabric flower. Please check back for more recons (with tutorial)!

A big thanks to clevergirl.org for the mention. Since I started this blog, I have been thinking about how I can make it focused, interesting, and useful. I have many interests, so this has been a challenge. I have been drawn to the DIY movement (love to sew - hate to discard perfectly good clothing), but there are so many great sites out there already. Hmmm...will have to do more thinking on this.

No More Eat at Bills

Well - it's the end of an era at the Monterey Market - although I hope not. I hope that Bill's children will continue with their grandfather and father's legacy and support the local farmer to bring food to the community that is not only good for you, but good for the environment too. See sfgate.com for the scoop.

I shed a tear as I watched Bill and his wife come out of the market for what appears to be the last time. He stood patiently while over 100 people stood in the street and crowded on the sidewalks to send him off on his last day - to let him know that he is very much appreciated - and will be sorely missed. He said a few words about his grandfather and that you all 'Get it'. We can only hope and pray that his children get it.

I especially love this clip from 'Eat at Bills' on Bill talking to shoppers about puff ball mushrooms. Go here for information to show your support for Bill and Judy.