As Promised, The BEST RECIPE EVER!!!!!!!

So my mother in law gave me this recipe about 5 years ago, and I make it religiously at Christmas, ok and I had it for my birthday too.  This square type cake whips up in a 9x13 pan, but I would strongly recommend  making at least 2, 1 to share with visitors, and one for you. Is your curiosity peaked yet?  My friends here in town have heard tell of this recipe being made, but none have seen it.  For the first time ever, I am going to share it with all my friends and family.  Be prepared for the compliments to start rolling in!

(And the marching band is playing softly in the back ground, drums getting louder, fireworks ready to go)

Banana Split Cake:

• First Layer:
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 stick melted butter
• Second Layer:
• 2 stick softened butter
• 2 cups confectioner's sugar
• 2 egg whites
• Third Layer:
• 3-4 sliced bananas, dipped in lemon juice to prevent browning

• 1 (20 oz) can WELL DRAINED crushed pineapple
• Fourth Layer
• Dream Whip, milk
• sliced Marashino (Drained) cherries
  
• Preheat oven to 325.

Layer 1, combine all ingredients, and press into 9x13 pan, bake 10-12 minutes.  LET COOL COMPLETELY!

Layer 2, combine all ingredients and mix for a FULL 15 MINUTES (if you don't you base layer will be soft and the cake will be gloopy).  Spread over COOLED crust

Layer 3, peel and slice bananas lengthwise.  After the bananas have been dipped in lemon juice, layer side by side over layer 2.  Drain crushed pineapple completely, spread in between bananas. Use the full can.

Layer 4, mix dream whip according to directions, fold in cherries gently, and spread on top of cake.  

Refrigerate at least 4-6 hours to set.

Enjoy, believe me, you will!  Please send me feedback after you have had a chance to try this and let me know what you thought of it.

So I am leaving you with this final post for the holiday season, I will periodically check in just to see how everyone is doing and update you with out happy holidays. 

Enjoy your day, enjoy your family and have a HAPPY AND FESTIVE HOLIDAY!!

See you all back here in January.

Merry Christmas

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Why I Need To Meditate....... And Other Truths

As I do my last meditation post for a month, I realize that I have been looking forward to this for the last week.  I never realized exactly how stressful it would be to plan a month long vaca, while remembering that half of the trip is driving, with 3 kids, so I need to plan things to do, for a 5000 km drive.  All while planning Christmas, making Christmas presents, hiding presents from my kids.  And then...... I have everyday life!  Hockey 3 times a week, and I am the team manager, so I had to schedule all of that.  The kids have school, and I volunteered for a few things with them.  Oh and my weekend went like this........ Sat night, up with Supernan as he threw up a carpet in my bathroom, clean.  Up with Supernan as he sat in the bathroom for over an hour, bleach the bathroom, and all the doorknobs.  Up with YaYa as she threw up all day, do laundry from the kids throwing up all over their beds, bleach the house.  Up with Mad Dad as he threw up all night last night.  Chaos had it earlier this week, so at least he was good.  But the kids have their Christmas concert tomorrow night, and seeing as how it has run through the house to everyone but me, I fully expect to get it tomorrow (I have only seen 2 of YaYas Christmas concerts, she is in grade 6, because someone is always sick on that day).

So my plan this morning is to take advantage of some silence, relax with a coffee and reflect on December and all it has to offer.  I am thankful for what we have the opportunity to do for Christmas, and thankful for what we have here.  My moment of peace today will be when I think of that.  During my yoga, during my reflection, I will not be stressed out, if only for a moment.  I will take the time to smell the roses snow (LOL to all those whose live in the wintery north).

Until the last post tomorrow, when you get the BEST RECIPE EVER, enjoy your day, and enjoy your family, and enjoy the holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Perfectly Perfect, Scrumdidliumtious Vanilla Spritz Cookies

Perfect Vanilla Spritz Cookies
(with a cookie press or decorators bag and tips)

1 cup butter, room temp
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 375.
Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Beta in eggs, vanilla, lemon juice and salt.
Add flour, beating until a soft dough forms.  (At this point you can add food coloring if desired)
Pack dough into cookie press or decorators bag and press onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake until golden, about 10-12 min.
Transfer to cooling racks.  Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.

These are a scrumdidliumtious little treat.

Only 2 more days to go until you get the best recipe of all.  Hope your ready for it.

See you all back here on monday for the last Meditation for a month.
Enjoy your day, enjoy your family and happy baking.

Merry Christmas!

5 For Friday

1. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Both, PJ's and a movie Christmas Eve, for a quiet night together before Santa comes.

2. What is your favorite Christmas cookie (or candy)?

Depends on my mood, Shortbread, peanut butter cups, spritz cookies or lemon squares.

3. What's the worst Christmas gift you've ever received?

I have never received a gift I didn't love or appreciate.

4. Christmas song that you love?

Bon Jovi, Please Come Home For Christmas

5. How many trees do you put up?

1, Giant and over decorated tree.  I love it.

The Pics As Promised

Not a lot of pics this week.  I forgot my camera (for shame) when I was crafting with the kids classes, so I am just waiting for copies of those pics.  There are a few fun ones, and even daddy got in on some crafting, faces and all.  And yes, that is YaYa doing the running man in slow motion.

 Toodles!