Great Banana Bread Recipe {Lake County IL, Photographer}

As I start the new year I always want to cook more and so I figured I would start the year off with a classic and share it with you!  Who doesn’t love a good banana bread recipe? Plus, I’ll admit my husband likes to tease me because I have a kitchen-aid mixer yet very rarely use it so this was the perfect opportunity. And I always tend to have bananas laying around ready to be used for banana bread…they just don’t stay ripe for very long!

Where do you go when you need a good banana bread recipe?  PINTEREST!  Once I saw that this was Martha’s recipe…I couldn’t resist and had to try it out.  It ended up being great and even my husband loved the result!

 

Perfect banana bread

by Martha Stewart

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature, plus more for pan
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups unbleached plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 3)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional; I didn’t use them)
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, and beat to incorporate.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture, and mix until just combined. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla; mix to combine. Stir in nuts, and pour into prepared pan.
  3. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let rest in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool.
    Recipe © 2012 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Week 1 of 2015 {Lake County IL, Photographer}

With the start of the new year comes the start of new traditions and resolutions.  A chance for you to have a fresh start or try again to tackle something you’ve been trying so hard to accomplish.  I’m a fan of resolutions, although I’ll admit I’m a pro at starting things and then letting them fall by the side after a few weeks…just ask my husband.  But I will admit that I love the thought of trying something new and pushing yourself to grow.  So with that, I’m starting a Project 365.  I tried to start one last year but made it two days before I forgot about it…I told you I’m a pro a letting things fall by the side…but this year I am really going to try my best to complete it for the entire year.

What is a Project 365?  It’s a challenge for me to take a photo every day in 2015 with my camera. I will be posting my photos on my Instagram page with a weekly wrap up on Friday of my past week’s photos.  Want to join in or follow along? Be sure to follow me on Instagram.

What are you planning on doing this year?

Week 1 of 2015:

2014 Review {Lake County IL, Newborn Photographer}

I am beyond blessed…this little dream of mine is growing every day! I have met so many amazing families this past year that at times I feel like I have to pinch myself. As I sit and look back at 2014 I am in awe of the moments I have captured for families and the trust that you have given to me in capturing these moments.  I can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store for me and you!  I can’t wait to watch all of my little babies grow up and meet all the new little ones waiting to arrive.  I can’t wait to watch couples start their lives together and families celebrate milestones.
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! You have made 2014 an amazing year!

Take a peek at what fun I had during 2014!

 

Sweet Little Man H {Kenosha WI, Newborn Photographer}

Remember this adorable little mommy and daddy?  They had their little baby and let me tell you…he is adorable! This little man was the calmest little man I have photographed to date! He slept like a dream and had the most amazingly beautiful hair.  I’m seriously jealous of his hair! He is squishy and perfect in every way…just like little babies are!

Babies are such blessings in our lives and this little man is a true blessing to his parents!

Interested in seeing more?  Checkout my newborn portfolio!

Want to book your own personalized newborn session?  Checkout my newborn session information!

Landon Turns 6 Months {Racine WI, Newborn Photographer}

I have some of the best friends in the world.  This lady has been with me for about 10 years now…crazy how fast time flies! During that time we’ve seen each other get married and she has had two adorable little babies. The littlest one is already six months old.  I feel like it was just yesterday when he was born and we were doing his newborn photos! This past fall we were so blessed with a crazy beautiful sunset and gorgeous orange leaves all around to capture some family photos and little six month photos. I love the six month mark in little babies…they have the best facial expressions around and Landon did not disappoint!