The snow finally arrived and while it took forever for Winter Storm "Xylia" to get here, it was as epic as promised. We got about 24” at our house in the foothills of Denver and it snowed harder than I have seen it snow in probably 15 years. At some points in the storm, the visibility was only a block as the neighbor’s house disappeared.
It is such a peaceful and tranquil site to stand and watch the snow fall. There is nothing quite like standing at the window mesmerized by the site with warm coffee in your favorite cup, a fluffy sweater and a 9-pound Jack Russell at your feet peeing all over your 6-month-old $12,000 hardwood floors. In an amazing feat of persistence, the Director and I were able to train our 17-year-old peanut how to use puppy pads.
As quiet as a snowstorm is, the day after a big storm is anything but quiet. The morning after is met with the constant humming of snow blowers. The best way to reconnect with your neighbors after a long cold winter is a good ole fashioned snow removal party. The Director blew snow for 3 hours helping all the neighbors dig out and for his efforts, Mrs. Tri-Level sent him home with a loaf of banana bread, arguably one of his favorite loaf shaped things in this or any other world. After a slice for dessert tonight after dinner, he proclaimed, “Not as good as yours. Your banana bread just has something special.”
The “something special” is all the butter. It only has 8 ingredients and is really easy to make. Whenever I bake this, I feel like Mom made it for me herself. Maybe next blizzard I will bake a loaf for all the neighbors so I can share that "something special".
Mom’s Banana Bread
1/2 cup room temperature butter2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3 mashed bananas
1 cup coarse ground pecans
Using an electric mixer, cream butter, and sugar. Add eggs beating well after each one is added. Combine dry ingredients and slowly add to creamed mixture. Fold in bananas and nuts and add to loaf pan, greased with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 325° or longer if needed. Check with toothpick in the middle to make sure it is done through.