Chocolate Chip Banana Bread - In Honor of National Chocolate Chip Day

I have been making this recipe for so long that I don't remember when I first discovered it.  I think my most vivid memory of this decadent bread/dessert is the first time I made it for my husband.  It was around our third date, and we were going to a concert at Ravinia, an outdoor theater in Highland Park, IL.  That also happens to be the place we met :)

Anyway, this being only our third date, I was still in "impress him" mode, and I knew this recipe would do the trick.  I was always a big fan of banana bread, and the thought of adding chocolate chips made it irresistible!

Here you go. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (this is key to the moistness)
• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I prefer Hershey's and throw in a few extra)
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Stir in the mayonnaise and bananas. Stir together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Blend the flour mixture into the banana mixture; stir just enough to evenly combine. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 to 75 minutes.

Have a happy day!

Special Teachers Have Special Gifts

With this being Teacher Appreciation Week, I am remembering a special third grade teacher named Mrs. Triggs.  I believe it was Mrs. Margaret Triggs although my memory fails a bit, so I'm not sure if that was her first name. I went to school at St. Michael's in Old Town, in Chicago.  The school is no longer there but the church remains one of Chicago's finest.

My most vivid picture of Mrs. Triggs is her standing at the head of the classroom.  She was tall as I remember, and I don't recall her sitting much.  She was always up and walking among us, bending her tall frame down to meet our little third grade desks.  I remember her short gray, wavy hair, somewhat wrinkled skin, and always kind, gentle eyes and smile.  And most fondly I remember her wearing a gray jumper dress made from colored patches of fabric that I and my class drew and colored for her to sew together! 

Yes, Mrs. Triggs made herself a dress of fabrics that she had her students draw and color.  She wore that dress to school, and we were all so proud and thrilled that she so loved our handiwork!

That is my most vivid memory of Mrs. Triggs, but I also remember her being a most kind and dedicated teacher who loved and honored all of her students year after year.  There was a newspaper article in the Chicago Tribune, I believe, about the dress, which my mom had kept for years.  I've searched in all of my old boxes but cannot find it.  If anyone out there can help track an old article from the 70's, please let me know!

Have a happy day and thank a teacher today!

5 Reasons to Celebrate May

Spring is a season for gift-giving - Birthdays, First Communions, Graduations, Bridal showers, Mother's Day!  Whatever occasions you're celebrating this spring, make them memorable!

And here are 5 more notable reasons to celebrate this May:

A garden full of tulips

 

The innocence of second graders on First Communion Day

 

Bachelorette parties in anticipation of the big day

 

The first backyard dog bath

 

The first warm walk in the woods

What are you celebrating this spring?

Our Unique Gift Basket Company is now BBB Accredited

After just about 18 months in business, we are proud to now be an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau.

Throughout my career, in my various roles, customer service and quality of work have always been a top priority for me.  That is why it seemed only natural that once our gift basket business was established and gaining traction, we would seek BBB accreditation.

No matter how busy we get or how large we grow, pleasing our customers with quality product and excellent customer service will always be our top priority.

Have a happy day!

Unique Gift Baskets and Products We Love

It's that time again...time for me to highlight some of our favorite products and why we love them!

Although I am actually a huge foodie, when I started my gift basket company, I wanted to focus on something a little different than food with my gift baskets.  I wanted to offer gift baskets filled with functional and decorative products that would be long-lasting and meaningful.  With that in mind, I scour the many gift trade shows looking for unique and special gifts that fit the themes of our gift baskets.  Here below are a few of our favorites:

Kindred Hearts picture frames and quotes - Quality, sentiment, and beauty - With designs for every occasion, and quotes that speak from the heart, these make wonderful gifts alone or included in a unique gift basket.  We currently include them in gift baskets for men, women, weddings and sympathy.  Not to miss!




A beautiful example of Kindred Hearts many designs.

Our Wedding Wishes gift basket with KH framed quote

Bags by Jimeale of New York - One of the basic fundamentals of my gift basket designs is high quality, functional and lasting products.  Rather than throw-away baskets or boxes, I use functional containers of all types to fit my designs.  I use Jimeale diaper bags for my premium baby gift baskets, and toiletry and cosmetic bags for my unique gifts for men and women.  Take a look at these one of a kind designs!

Jimeale diaper bag comes in chocolate brown with green, pink, or blue lining.

Women's cosmetic bag holds our Pamper Me spa gift.

8 Petals handmade fused glass jewelry - I love 8 Petals for their unique and colorful designs.  I also love that they are made in America!  With everything from belt buckles to bobby pins, there is much to choose from.  We currently include necklace and earring sets in our Especially for Her gift basket which is filled with whimsical, personal and fun gifts for women.

8 Petals jewelry set with our Especially for Her gift basket.

Have a happy day!

April 10th is National Siblings Day!

I'm not sure if I have been under a rock or what...I didn't know we had a National Siblings Day and that it has been so well recognized up to this point!  Although not quite equal to Mother's Day or Father's Day, it has been recognized by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush during their terms in office, as well as by 88 state governors.

The Siblings Day Foundation was organized by Claudia Evart in 1997 in honor of her late brother and sister, who she lost in separate accidents.  The date was set as April 10th, which was the birthday of Claudia's sister, Lisette.

As stated on the foundation's website, "Siblings Day follows the spirit of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Grandparent’s Day – a great American tradition and celebration of family-unit values.  It is an uplifting celebration honoring people who have shaped our values, beliefs and ideals.  It is a relationship as equally important as a parent’s relationship. Siblings are the reason we celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Day."

For more information, visit http://www.siblingsday.org/

For me personally, I don't know what I would do without my siblings.  They forever make me laugh, cry, love, inspire, dream, and accomplish.  They have done this since the day I was born and will continue until the day I die.  Whether near or far, they are forever with me, and for that I am eternally grateful!

Have a happy day!

A Really Happy Woman...

I saw this posted on Facebook last week and had to share it, but decided sharing just on Facebook was simply not enough.  It jumped out at me while I have been going through a bit of a life detour (okay, "bit" would be an understatement).  But I live every day taking in the new scenery as best I can while never losing sight of my original destination. For whomever this is applicable, I hope you are able to do the same.  Have a happy day!

 

I found this posted by my friends at emptyhousefullmind.com, so thank you Sharon.  Giving credit where credit is due :)