When no one wants cereal...

Come weekend or vacation, it's the question that never fails to be asked, "Momma, can you make something for breakfast?  I don't want cereal."  And, you know, I have no problem coming up with something to make. However, as the boys get older, I do agree with the Little Red Hen in that, should they ask for something special, then they should help make it. So with my youngest wielding the mixing spoon, and I doing the measuring, we set out to make some banana donuts. 

Simple moments like these, where I am paired up with one or both of my children to participate in a daily task, often offer glimpses into their mind as they discuss what they are thinking about at the time.  For instance, The word "batter" turned out to be an opener for a conversation.  Apparently, it is word that he really appreciates..."some words, Momma, are really nice to say...and 'batter' is one of them".  

Now, that our batter has baked, you can see that they have risen quite nicely and are a lovely caramel color.  To make these,  I made two changes to a banana muffin recipe that is generally foolproof as muffins.  I was hoping for equally foolproof donuts.  So far, so good.

I frosted them with a peanut butter frosting and then tried a few different toppings: mini chips, jimmies (sprinkles) and chocolate cookie crunch; kind of like the crunchiness you find in between the layers of a Carvel cake.  Of the three toppings, I have to say the cookie crunch was my personal favorite.

Of these last three pictures, I'm seeing them as potential photos to be developed into a Wayne Thiebaud inspired painting or drawing.  If you are not familiar with him, he is one of my favorite contemporary artists and is definitely worth checking out. 

In the end, I was very pleased with the adjustments I made to a muffin recipe found in the book, "Mad about Muffins".  The recipe, dubbed, "New England Banana", includes maple syrup in the batter.  Next time, I think I may forgo the peanut butter and chocolate and go with a maple frosting with toasted coconut.

If you would like the recipe, let me know by leaving a comment requesting it.

A few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

from The Sound of Music

Recently, I found myself needing to get my mind off of fretful thoughts. It really is not productive for a person to keep thinking, "If I had only..." So, that is why I have looked to my favorite things as a means to ease my mind. Naturally, number one on my list is friends and family. Next on my list is art and food. Food in art. Food as art. Whatever the case, if they stand alone or work together, I am happy. Oh yeah, and the sweeter, the better. One such example is this piece by Wayne Thiebaud, entitled, Cakes done in 1963. In my book, he is the man as far as Pop Art goes.

I think I'm feeling happier already.

Following a very close second is the work of Eric Joyner. His art centers around robots and donuts and the pieces that combine the two together are my favorite. They remind me of childhood and simple pleasures, and they are just plain funny. You know of comfort food; now put it in a painting and you have comfort art. The piece shown here is called Unscheduled Maintenance and was created by Joyner in 2007. For a real sweets fest, check out his painting called, The Harvest.

In closing, I am feeling much better. The color pallettes that these two artists predominately use can't help but evoke happier moods. The subject matter doesn't hurt either. Now you know my affinity for art and food. But, did I mention how happy books make me?