Aunt Jan's banana bars

Aunt Jan was known for her date bars, brownies and banana bars. But given then choice at any event where all three happened to appear, I chose the banana bars. Emphasis on the plural of bars. Because I tend to have no self control when it comes to cream cheese frosting and don't believe I have ever eaten just one singular banana bar.

Here is the recipe. It is a winner.

Aunt Jan's Banana Bars
Cream Together:
1/2 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs (beat)
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana

Mix dry ingredients together and then add to above mixture:
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt

Bake in a 9 x 13 baking pan for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

And the Cream Cheese Frosting!
1/2 cup softened butter
8 oz softened cream cheese
4 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla

beat well. Be sure the bars are completely cool before you frost them. And then cover and keep these bars in the fridge so they're well chilled. I think this was key to how much I liked them...they were nice and set up by the time you ate them at room temperature...not too runny or mushy.

"you're looking sharp, kid."

My Aunt Jan passed away on Friday night.

A long battle with cancer makes the ending a bit more complicated. There is relief mixed in with the grief. She fought hard. She fought long. And part of me is comforted by the fact that she is comfortable again. And feasting at a heavenly banquet after two years of a feeding tube. She has a voice again, with a whole and healed body.

But she still died too early. Cancer is cruel.

When Ivar and I were in Mesa he loved visiting Aunt Jan's house, because Aunt Jan clapped. And he could clap too. Without her voice, this is how Aunt Jan got our attention to look at her laptop or notebook so she could contribute to the conversation. Ivar thought this was the greatest. Before we'd even get through her front door he'd start clapping. "I like this lady, she's the one who knows how to clap!" And they would smile and laugh and clap and delight in the other.

Today we'll join in the clapping. Applause, applause to Aunt Jan, for a long and strong fight. For loving her grandkids to pieces and scrapbooking their childhoods (HUGE books for each of her grandchildren!), taking the time to interview, compile and print our family lineage, history, stories. Applause for maintaining strong relationships with our Swedish relatives through travel and endless correspondence. For spending her working days as an advocate for those with mental illness. For making the world more beautiful through her art: stained glass, knitted sweaters, rosemaling, and numerous crafts. For her love of color and kosta boda glass, her bright blue couch, thanksgiving feasts and banana bars.

Applause for coming to so many of my band concerts, plays and recitals. And for always saying the same thing each time she saw me, "You're looking sharp, kid."

pardon me, as I eat my words...

Last Monday I had 17 tabs open on the top of my computer. Saving recipes, future art projects, blog posts I really enjoyed. And my favorites column on the side of my computer is complete madness. Over 100 things bookmarked that I hope to bake, make, organize, duplicate etc...

The next day I went to make sugar cookies with Lisa and Sara and we started talking about Pinterest.

I have forever said I would not go there. I was certain it was a black hole time suck and that I would never, ever get out if I stepped foot in that lovely land that everyone raves about.

But then I started looking around a bit, and I realized this: Pinterest is like Computer Organization. There is finally a home for all of those posts I have marked in my favorites column. Essentially, Pinterest provides a labeled tupperware tub for various online ideas. And you know how I love me a labeled tupperware tub.

And so this is how I am justifying my leap into the land of Pinterest. Sounds good doesn't it? Justification is always an interesting thing. Truth be told: It has been a black hole time suck. But actually, not that black. It's a super colorful, inspired time suck. And I'm smitten.

So watch me eat my words. My apologies to all of you that I gave my monologue to about my plan to look but not touch. I'm all in.

And if you want to see my boards (is that even what you say? I don't know the lingo yet...) you can check me out at http://pinterest.com/joyfullybecca/  and follow all of my colorful finds.

loopty loop

I'm a silent laugher. I once was home sick from middle school and spent the day practicing a loud laugh. It wasn't pretty. But I wanted a loud laugh that badly. Instead of a loud laugh, the funnier the moment the more silent I become, with full body shakes and tears to accompany my silence.

I may not have a loud laugh, but my son got one. And it's awesome. Excuse the yogurt on his face. He is sitting between me (with the camera) and Rory (that's who he's looking at) after supper. I told him, "I think I know someone who is going to sleep well tonight. Because he's getting loopy." And when I said loopy, Ivar absolutely fell apart. Then I threw in loopty loop and he went nuts. Believe it or not, this video is the very end of his fit of giggles.

Have I told you I call him my Joy Boy?

marriage care

On Tuesday night I was asked by a friend, "do you and Rory ever fight?" The question made me laugh out loud. Yes. Yes we do fight. But I am never afraid of our fights. We work through them, they blow over, I get a good nap, we forgive and we're both good talkers.

Most important, we are both committed to work at our marriage. Because it is work. And worth every effort we put into it.

From an early age my mom used to tell me that she and my dad went to marriage counseling when I was two years old and that it was the best thing they ever did for their marriage. They were in the beginning stages of planting a mission start congregation and were confronted with a lot of hard stuff all at once.

As a result, I've never felt any stigma attached to seeking help for your marriage. Seeking help and guidance is going to be inevitable. I got married under the assumption that Rory and I would utilize counseling at some point. Not because we were that rocky from the start, but because that's just what married couples do. In fact, when I asked mom if I could share this story on my blog, her comment was, yes, of course, I actually really wish your dad and I had done more counseling at different seasons of our marriage.

Rory's folks are always encouraging us to attend every conference, seminar, workshop, or any offering that will help us build a stronger foundation. Because they, too, know that a good marriage does take time and effort and intention and there is always room to grow closer.

So, having said all that, our church is hosting a marriage conference. Just a Friday night and Saturday morning (April 27th and 28th), $39 per couple and the speakers are solid. Solid. I really can't wait.

The conference is called Good Love and you can find out all the details by clicking here. Look around the site, find yourself a babysitter, and grab that love of your life and come work on your marriage. I hope to see lots of you there!