An Anniversary Finale

After a wonderful two days spent on our Anniversary Stay-cation, it was time to head home to reality. But first, we got to eat out for my favorite meal in a restaurant…breakfast.

Over Easy had been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, so we had a feeling that this place was going to be good. Though neither of us has seen the episode, we knew that Guy don’t lie.

Isn’t their menu adorable?! I love this look!

And there was a big selection, too. It was hard to choose, especially since I had heard so many wonderful things about the tater tots and sweet tater tots from all of the reviews. How is a girl to choose?

Over Easy to the rescue…they let me do half of each for my order. Thank goodness!

The café itself was cheerful and cute and casual. We sat ourselves at one of the few tables left. This place was busy, and that makes me happy. Good businesses deserve to do well.

This was probably the first time that I’ve eaten with cows hanging over me. What a thrill!

They had a cute little dining counter, too. If I was a local, I would probably sit here and enjoy breakfast as often as my little heart could handle.

The owner even came around talking to people, and we got a feel for how she started the place. She was a real sweetheart, and her mom also visited with all the guests like they were family. There were obviously lots of repeat customers. After we left here, we felt like family!

Hubby’s “Wolfpack” arrived…eggs and hash browns and bacon, oh my!

Needless to say, he was pretty excited.

We also shared a half-order of their seasonal Pumpkin Bread Cinnamon Toast. It brought a tear to my eye and was made even better with the butter caramel sauce on top.

I decided to get the highly-reviewed Crying Pig Omelet. And it made me oh-so happy. I didn’t cry once! It had bacon, sausage, onion, and Swiss cheese all folded into perfectly-cooked eggs. I have never had Swiss cheese in an omelet before, but it was really nice. An extra little tang that made my heart sing.

And the tots certainly didn’t disappoint, either. I got both types, of course, because I become incredibly indecisive during breakfast in a restaurant!

Breakfast really is the best way to start your day. Can we all agree on that?

The Best Banana Bread Ever

No doubt my Mom hates getting that phone call from me. "Um, yeah...I can't find that recipe anywhere. Will you please tell it to me again so I can lose it for next time I want to make Banana Bread?"

Rather than bothering her with my request, I took it upon myself to find a recipe online. And then I tweaked it to add some things that I love. Some of my requirements were 1) Lots of butter. That's how you know it will taste good and stay moist. 2) Actually...an excessive amount of butter was my only requirement.

I found a delicious starter and went to work. It doesn't take long for the butter to soften, since we keep the house at a decent 80 degrees. (The electricity bill is still ridiculous, so I can't imagine having it any cooler). I mashed my bananas together with the milk and (yummy!) cinnamon to make a delicious paste. After adding the eggs to the wet mixture, I also added a tablespoon of vanilla. Because every baked good tastes better with some vanilla in the mix. Some chopped walnuts were added just before pouring into the buttered-and-floured loaf pan.

And then, after baking for just over an hour, I waited patiently for three whole hours for Hubby to get home from work. I had to avoid walking in the kitchen for that time, of course, because Banana Bread is one of my most favorite things ever, and the smell made me want to devour the whole thing and deny its existence when Hubby came home. But I didn't. I shared. And he loved it just as much as me!

After storing it in an airtight bag all night, it was even more delicious the next day. Usually bread dries out, but this stuff stayed soft and banana-y. You must make this today. Tell me if it isn't the greatest Banana Bread you've ever tasted!

Perfect Banana Bread

Makes one loaf
1 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 ripe bananas
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.
• Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, about five minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and mix well. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk and cinnamon. 
• In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until the flour disappears.Add the walnuts.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 60-70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack and cool completely before slicing. 

This one will make you cry. It's the best bread my oven has ever produced!