I hope that you had a fabulous weekend! I know I did, visiting with friends, baking a banana cake which I found on Pinterest, and spending time with my family. Is there anything better? Top that off with Downton Abbey and you have the perfect weekend.
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Still in the spirit here, even though it is January. |
Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe from Bake or Break Blog
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoon of unsalted butter at room temperature
2 tablespoons of canola oil
2 large eggs at room temperature
1 egg white at room temperature
4 large ripe bananas
1/4 cup of milk
Preheat oven to 375. Spray an 8 inch pan with cooking spray.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, an salt, set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat oil, butter, and sugar. Beat in eggs and egg whites on at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, mash bananas with milk. Set aside.
Gradually add half of dry mix into butter mixture. Mix in bananas. Mix in remaining dry ingredients. Pour into pan. Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on wire rack.
Prior to Downton Abbey our local PBS station featured a program called The Secrets of the Manor House, did you see it? If you did not, try to find it on your local PBS station, because it is fascinating. Basically it tells the story of living and working in a Manor House in Great Britain, from the height of the Manor House life which was during the Edwardian Era, to the “cash for title” period where wealthy American women infused Great Britain with cash and in turn gained titles. In addition, the historians and current members of the aristocracy details of the true hardship of the life of a servant; where a maids day lasted for 17 hours as she scrubbed floors, cleaned grates, scuttled coal and sometimes carried 45 gallons of water of numerous flights of stairs for an aristocrats bath.
As for Downtown Abbey I loved this weeks episode, I simply cannot get enough! I hope you enjoyed it! Speaking of which, I read an article in the The New York Times that list books suggested by the major publishing houses if you are “Mad for Downtown Abbey.” If you have some book suggestions of your own I would love to hear them! Leave me a note in the comment section or email me.
On last thing, Suzanne at Privet and Holly has a wonderful post and link on Monday’s, it is called Monday Moments and this week she features a beautiful and uplifting story of love and hope!

Sounds like a great way to spend an evening…friends and cake!
XX
Debra~
Hi Elizabeth! I saw your comment over at Privet and Holly..I'd love to chat if you are still interested in doing a post on me. Email me- HeatherVonsj[at]gmail.com
Hope to hear from you!!
Did you hear me say, "YUM!!!" from your house? I shouted it so loud, I'm surprised the whole world didn't hear!! Your cake looks HEAVENLY!!
Sarahx
Oh yes, I saw Suzanne's post this morning and I even saw that story on Nezzy's blog as well!!! ANd I am missing out on DOWNTOWN ABBY!!!! No TV reception chez nous. That cake looks wonderful my dear friend!!! LOVE TO YOU, Anita
I am SO making that
cake to surprise the
kids, tonight. I haven't
had banana cake in years;
not sure why! I recorded
D.A. on Sunday and am
going to watch it, tonight.
I can't wait! The Manor
House program sounds
wonderful, as does the
book link, which I need
to explore. Thank you
for linking up with Monday
Moments, as I always enjoy
popping over and savoring
your moments.
xx Suzanne
Oh what lovely pictures dearest…thank you for coming by last night! I KNOW; there is SO MUCH GOING ON for us, isn't there!!! I have so much testing to do on those kids but I started last week and I am trying to find moments here and there to get all of the 52 reading tests done. AHHHHH!
LOVE TO YOU DEAR HEART! Anita