Tuesday, July 20, 2010

TWD—Lots-of-Ways Banana Cake

I’m still in Idaho.  I made this cake for our family reunion.  I made it in a 9x13 cake pan.  We loved it.

I took really fast, not-so-good photos.  I did not add nutmeg, or rum, or coconut.  I used “homemade” buttermilk.  I used walnuts.  I made a cream cheese frosting.  I made up the recipe for the frosting.   

I feel like I’m writing a report for a 5th grade assignment.  I miss you all.  I’m so behind.  I will catch up.  I don’t exactly know when.  Soon.  Or I fear my Google Reader will explode.

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My brother, Matt, who said he’s not eating sugar right now, caved and ate a piece of this cake.  He LOVED it.  Loved the frosting.  Snuck a plateful of pieces of cake to his hotel one night that he said his wife was going to want.  Right, Matt.  The verdict is out on that one.  He ate a chocolate chip cookie I made, too.  A half dozen or so of those were also on the plate he was sneaking out with. 

I love bananas.  I love everything that has bananas in it.  I will use this cake recipe again lots of times, I’m sure.  I always have overripe bananas.  I will use the recipe “Lots-of-Ways”.  Thanks to Kimberly of Only Creative Opportunities for the fabulous recipe pick this week for Tuesday's With Dorie as we keep on baking on.  You can get the recipe on Kimberly’s blog.  I think you should buy the book.  I think my turn to pick the recipe for our group is coming up in August.  How fun for me!

Part of the reason this is so short and super sweet is because my mom and I played Scrabble tonight (Monday night, which is really now last night and I should so totally be in bed).  I had all the good letters for most of the game and was kicking her rear.  She overtook me in the end and whooped my buns.  That was only because my dad came along and started helping her.  I played all by myself.  ;)

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I left for Idaho last Wednesday.  I love being at “home”.  I came with the three youngest boys.  Kevin stayed in Utah until Friday and drove up with Scott (who is in band camp to begin his dream of playing drums).  Three hours after Kevin started driving (it’s about a six hour drive), his sister called and said there was a brush fire behind our new house.  See this picture of our backyard (and beyond) that I posted a few weeks ago.

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WAYYYY too close to home!!!

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In the first photo, you can see this cement slab on the left of the picture.  The fire was very close!  Cindy and Sarah worked to make sure our property was safe.  It was a windy day.  They say (since I'm not home yet, I haven’t really seen it), that the fire came within about 15 feet of our neighbor’s property four houses away.  Just sayin’, still too close for comfort!  I was sort of freaking out.  Cindy asked Kevin’s mom to say a prayer and ask for the weather to change (I guess she’s good at doing that).  We all prayed.  Not long after that, the wind shifted away from coming toward the houses and the firefighters were able to put the fire out. 

Thank you Cindy, Sarah, Mom-in-law, and Heavenly Father!  We really felt helpless and feel totally blessed!  I had forgotten how dry Utah is compared to green, wet Kansas!

We’ve had a lot of fun with my family, the reunion and visiting friends and family and playing.  We’ll leave on Wednesday to go back to Utah and desperately try to feel like life is getting back to normal.  Whatever that means.  I hope to get some fun pictures up on my blog in the near future.   You ever heard of Hawaiian Charades?  It’s an all occasion party must-play game.  Especially if you’re in the Scott Family. 

37 comments:

Nickki said...

Your cake looks totally delicious! I didn't add rum or coconut either. Thank goodness you managed to escape that horrible fire. Glad you had a good time with your family :-)

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Uff that's a scary fire! Glad you had people there to make sure everything was ok. Me too love banana bread, I think very few cakes can beat the texture of banana bread. And it's so versatile too!
Hope you have fun in the last day home!!!

Jennifer said...

Wow, that's a scary fire-I'm glad everything is okay!

Your cake looks delicious!!!! I loved that you used walnuts in the batter-YUM!

Donna said...

No better combo than a tasty banana cake and cream cheese frosting.. yum!

Amanda said...

Oh my gosh katrina! I am so glad all ended well, but you aren't kidding, that was way too close! When I lived in Vegas I worried about stuff like that because of the dryness. Soooooo glad it's all ok! I'm glad you liked the cake (told you so LOL), see you later tater

Amber Marie said...

Oh wow, glad the fire didn't get any closer!

Isn't it nice when your goodies are a hit? Sounds like your brother confirmed - this cake is great! :)

Kimberly Johnson said...

Your cake looks delicious! Thanks for baking with me this week!

Kayte said...

I guess that is close!!! Lots of new things to experience out there now. Your cake looks great...and if your brother Matt caved, I would say it was perfect!

La Cucina del Topino said...

Cake looks delicious! I love the icing :-) I am glad they were able to handle the fire.
Have a great week!

chocolatechic said...

Looks fabulous.

I heart cream cheese frosting.

Paula said...

What a story about the fire! Praising God everything turned out alright.

Your cake looks delicious. Funny about your brother.

christine said...

Hello Katrina. You don't need a better photo because it is already perfect. Banana cake and cheese frosting?.. I agree with Donna. No better combo..Glad the fire didn't made any damage. If you wont mind I'd love to guide Foodista readers to your post. Just add the foodista widget to the end of this post so it will appear in the Foodista pages and it's all set, Thanks!

Flourchild said...

Where are you in Idaho, Idaho Falls? I had the pleasure of smelling plenty of fires last week. It' so hot and dry now. Honk if you drive by Pocatello!
I loved this cake too..it was so so good!

Valerie Gamine said...

Who could possibly resist sugar when it comes in the form of a cake like this? Yummm! It looks like a carrot cake without the health benefits. :D

Anonymous said...

Banana cake is a favorite of my husband's. I'll have to try this version some day.
So glad that fire missed your house and that your neighbor's houses are okay too. Scary stuff!!!
Have fun in Idaho. :-)
Sue

Cindy said...

Wow too much excitement! It was a yummy cake.

Max and Deborah said...

Wow that is WAYYY too close!!! I am so glad that your house is fine. What a blessing from Heavenly Father!

Sorry, but not really gonna try the BANANA Cake. Thanks anyway. :)

Jessica of My Baking Heart said...

Yummy looking cake! And thank goodness everything was ok after the fire - how scary!

Pamela said...

Whew! That fire was super close, huh? Sounds like you had a lovely visit with the family, too. Kudos to your bro on trying to give up sugar. I have tried, but MAN...that is one tough row to hoe! Cake looks great.

mindy said...

So glad the fire changed directions!! Your cake looks delicious and I am glad you are having fun with your family.

Mary said...

Wow-that fire is too close for comfort. I am glad everything is OK.

AmyRuth said...

Wooo so glad the fire didn't threaten your new home, Katrina. Yes, we do have so much to thankful for all around. So many questions these days.
I love your cake. I love bananas too. This will be a go to for a lot of us even maybe that relative of yours, bro-n-law, did you say, who doesn't eat sugar, yea right???? he he Just hasn't been around his Katrina in a while. Good save, girl. Take care and you know the internet will be here when you get ready to jump.
AmyRuth

Mary said...

Your cake looks wonderful--I wouldn't have been able to resist either! Glad your house is okay, and enjoy the rest of your trip!

Anonymous said...

The cake looks great and the fire looks really scary. Glad to hear that everything is OK (and that the cake was good)!

Eliana said...

This cake looks simply perfect Katrina.

Heather Davis said...

Great cake Katrina! That fire must have been really scary. Can't imagine. So glad it all worked out and your home is safe.

mike said...

So glad everyone is safe!!! Great to hear from you - will be so nice when you're settled! The cake? Fabulous - perfect for that size of pan Katrina AND a family reunion!

TeaLady said...

Scary fire. Not good,

Cake good. Not scary.

Unknown said...

Nasty fire! Glad you're ok. Banana bread looks great, I love the versatility of this one!

Anonymous said...

Glad you all were safe! That cake looks awesome!!!!!!!

Hindy said...

I'm thankful that your brush fire story ended well. Very scary on your trip away from home.

Your cake looks lovely. Glad your brother broke his diet for it.

Jacque said...

Oh no, not a fire... and that close. Scary!

Your cake looks delish! perfect for sharing with family.

Barbara @ moderncomfortfood said...

We're huge fans of banana cake at our house too, and I usually make it when birthdays roll around. I'm so glad you kept the cake itself simple - it always tastes better that way to me. And the additions of walnuts and cream cheese frosting sound scrumptious. Must try!

Maris said...

I have a huge bunch of bananas that I Need to use up asap, this cake looks yummy!

Carla said...

Wow so glad the fire missed you!! I'm surprised I haven't been kicked out of TwD yet. Kept forgetting to email about taking a hiatus. Now that I'm living alone, IDK what I'd do with all that baking. Maybe I'll learn how to cut recipes so I can only make a handful (haha yea right). Or make them when people are visiting. Maybe even for coworkers, but a lot of people are on Weight Watchers (part of wellness program at work where you can do multiple things and get points for prizes. WW offers the most points).

ANYWAY, thanks for forwarding my blog on that forum! Hopefully I can find someone that is crazy like me haha

New house as in you moved as well? Wow I'm so behind in the food world. New job? How are the boys taking it?

megan said...

That fire was way to close for comfort. Good thing you were away, saved you from some worring!
The cake looks awesome!

Emily said...

Oh man that is so scary!