Hawaiian Bread

I had a friend request this recipe so here it is for all to have.  This recipe makes 2 loaves, so if you need to let me taste a loaf for you, I would be glad to!!!

Hawaiian Bread


1.5 cups vegetable oil

3 large eggs

2 cups mashed ripe bananas

1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup chopped macadamia nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans (9x5 inch). In a large bowl, beat oil and eggs with an electric mixer at medium spped. Beat in bananas, pineapple, and vanilla, until combined.

In another large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add to oil mixture, beating until combined. Stir in coconut and nuts.

Pou batter into prepared loaf pans. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until a tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks. Enjoy!

*Recipe from Paula Deen Magazine (Divine Desserts)

Parties, Babies, and a New Room!



June has been a very busy month.  I decided to host a party for my girlfriends at my home in mid June.  I had a Mexican themed meal and ended the evening with apple pie tarts and vanilla ice cream.  Yum!  I asked a Willow House consultant to come and help decorate and stage the food and then a Pampered Chef consultant to come and help prepare the food.  After we all ate a wonderful meal, we then sat around and shopped through the Willow House and Pampered Chef catalogs. 



There has been a huge baby boom in the month of June.  On June 4th, Kevin's cousin, Beth, delivered a baby boy.  His name is Declan Robert...love that name.  Unfortunately, they live in New York, so I have not been able to see the baby.  Then on June 20th,  my dear friend, Carole, also delivered a baby boy...Carson Richard!  Since she does live close I am planning on delivering her some food.  I remember when family and friends would bring over meals and baked goods to me after Keegan was born.  It was such a tremendous help to have a hot meal and not have to make it!!  I try to return the favor to my family and friends when their little ones arrive home.  I decided to make one of my favorite bread recipes of Paula Deen's, called Hawaiian Bread. It is made with coconut, pineapple, and tons of sugar!! Since I just purchased the mini muffin pan from Pampered Chef, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try it out.  I was not disappointed.  I will never cook in a regular bread pan again!  I also plan on taking another Paula Deen favorite..stuffed shells with cream cheese, spinach, garlic, ground turkey, and cheese.  Yummo!

Right out of the oven!

Beautiful!!

The other project that Kevin and I have been working on is setting up Keegan's new room.  He will be moving out of the nursery and into his new room.  We just finished painting his room a light blue and are waiting for all his bedding to arrive.  The theme of the room will be baseball.  Pictures will be added in the next week once the room is completed.

Besides cooking, baking, painting, and chasing after a two year old...not much else is new!  The pregnancy continues to have its good and bad days.  I relish those good days and I am just patient when a bad day arrives.  I am now 25 weeks pregnant and the baby is as active as ever!  I feel a ton of movement throughout the day. 

 Keegan is doing very well.  He is enjoying days in the pool, helping dad in the yard, and helping mom in the kitchen.  His new favorite routine is bedtime.  He will now "cuddle" on our bed and watch the Indians while eating pretzels.  Throughout the game, Keegan will often say "Go Tribe!"  Too bad it isn't helping us win any games!

July looks to be another busy month.  We plan on taking road trips to both Fort Wayne and Chicago to visit my college friends.  We are looking forward to the month ahead!