Today was just one of those days. I got up and napped. We went out to a couple of costume parties last night – which turned into a longer night then I’m used to! I like to be all cozy in my bed by 10pm at the latest. I often forget that most people my age don’t start their nights out until then.

I was getting a little bit hungry when I went adventuring into my fridge. After grocery shopping a couple weeks ago – in a rush and attempt to get all the cold stuff in the fridge I picked up a grocery bag and tossed it in there with the thought of “I’ll separate that stuff later.” As most of you are probably aware and likely do the same thing, if you’re using the word “later” it’s unlikely that later will ever come.

I moved the grapes and remembered that I had bought bananas. I’m not a big fan of bananas. It’s a texture thing for me. But if I don’t eat them, I’m tormented by these terrible Charley Horses. So I like to put them into smoothies or on a sandwich with peanut butter.

Needless to say, the bananas were done. They were not longer eatable in smoothies or with peanut butter and bread. I was devastated. As I took them out of the fridge and put them into the freezer I thought to myself, I’ll make some banana bread later. There was that word again, later. The previous set of bananas in the freezer were screaming at me, “Later is a lie!”. I felt like I had betrayed my poor fruit friends. Never using them for their purpose. So I broke off three of the bananas and pulled out a recipe.

I hauled our mixer off the windowsill, cleaned it all up, searched for the mixer spoon like things and plugged it in. I’ve only ever made banana bread once before – also because of my ignorance of putting my groceries away properly.

First line of the recipe – “You will not need a mixer for the recipe”

Todays baking lesson is Read the Recipe First.

After putting the mixer away I pulled out a large bowl and a wooden spoon. I carefully laid out my ingredients, measuring them into separate bowls. Some people take the ingredients out as you need them. This method doesn’t work for me and I’ll tell you why. I am naturally messy – untidy I feel like would be a better word. My house is normally in order – but this is not an easy task for me. Everything that I use is a struggle and I need to tell myself everyday – now you’ve used this put it away. For some, this comes naturally. For me, it’s a constant choice. Later doesn’t work for me. So I measure out all of my ingredients, then I put them away before I even start baking. Less of a mess for me and more counter space! Double positives.

Here is the recipe that I used!

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/m/recipes/banana_bread/

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Method of Baking

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4×8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

 

It worked really well for me. It was simple and delicious. I photographed the process for you!

Later will rarely ever come. So go ahead and make the banana bread.

But just remember that much as a recipe is to baking, we have a guideline too. God’s word is there to help us not to hinder us. Don’t let it loose its value in todays world.

Read it so that you’ll be prepared for what life throws at you – you are not alone in your struggles.

Let go, fear less, trust more.

xo, B.