Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.
Maya Angelou
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This past Sunday, I got up early and roamed the garden while the hubster slept. I love doing this. I love looking at all that is growing, and sometimes dying, and admiring the work of nearly twelve years. I love that there is birdsong and the buzz of insects and hummingbirds, and evidence of things unseen, like snail trails, and paw prints, and empty spider webs. While there remains much to do, as I have such grand plans, I am always energized by my work in the garden. I love the meditative quality of pulling weeds, mowing grass, watering, planting, the ceaseless cycles. They remind me of my own body, mind, and spirit, and how there is always more to do, see, and grow, and that the effort is always worthwhile and beautiful, no matter how challenging.
Atlantic Poppy
Symbiosis: No Ants, No Peonies.
Armeria – like miniature garden pompoms cheering grow,grow, grow!
Verbascum
Caramel Coral Bells
Sunlight through the birch. I am looking forward to when it is TALL.
A mason bee has set up house!
Yellow Iris smells so very good.
Deer fern
This, my friends is a slice of terrific banana cake. I’ve adapted it from what I think is a pretty terrific book, Classic Home Desserts, by the late Richard Sax. My number one favorite in this department, and one that I’ve had since 1994, longer than any other, of any kind, I might add. As someone who is a great purger, this is saying a lot. This book, no doubt, will be with me until it is coming apart at the seams, all 688 glorious pages. It is full of great stories and historic recipes, not only a treasure to bake from but one to read, as well. I’ve made countless recipes from it, all went off without a hitch and tasted even better (two other examples are here and here). How is that for a product endorsement? Fortunately, the book is not out of print, but the latest edition, from 2000, is, in my opinion, prohibitively expensive, at least on Amazon ($45 used – $99 new, zoiks!), so, if you’d like to give it a try, head to Powell’s (I’ve seen used copies for $25), your local library, or cross your fingers that they print another edition.
Anyway, to the recipe. I’ve adapted it from his original, of course, for it is my way, but I honestly don’t think he (or you) will mind. An additional bit, part of my love for this cake stems from the fact that it is made in a Bundt style pan. Have I ever spoken of my love for the Bundt pan? Dessert is somehow elevated when it comes out of a pan shaped like that, truly.
Banana Cake
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened or, if you are short on time, grate it fine with a cheese grater
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup ripe mashed banana (about 2)
1/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt
Preheat the oven to 350. Generously butter a 10″ tube or Bundt pan. Sift the flour with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a small bowl. Set aside.
Beat the butter with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until very light. Gradually add the sugar and continue to beat until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one by one; beat in the vanilla. Put mixer on the lowest speed and add half of the flour mixture, alternating with the banana. Add the remaining flour, alternating with the sour cream or yogurt, in batches. Do not overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50-55 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. Carefully unmold the cake and cool to room temperature. Eat plain, dust with powdered sugar, or frost. This is great with a caramel, vanilla, or chocolate frosting. I’ll bet it would be great with a cream cheese frosting, too. You can’t go wrong! Like the picture, it also tastes great with coffee.
Enjoy!
Tags: Books, Cooking and Baking, Reading, Recipes
I went to Nia class this morning, followed by my first foray in to Zumba. It was fun and silly and sweaty and made me think of this great poem. Sorry there’s no photo. I have an old one of me dancing on my Nana’s grave (in a good way), but I can’t find it, so you’ll have to create your own picture in your mind.
I know the voice of depression
Still calls to you.
I know those habits that can ruin your life
Still send their invitations.
But you are with the friend now
And look so much stronger.
You can stay that way
And even bloom!
Keep squeezing drops of the sun
From your prayers and work and music
And from your companions beautiful laughter.
Keep squeezing drops of the sun
From the sacred hands and glance of your beloved,
And, my dear,
From the most insignificant movements
Of your own holy body.
Learn to recognize the counterfeit coins
That may buy you just a moment of pleasure,
But then drag you for days
Like a broken man
Behind a farting camel.
You are with the old friend now.
Learn what actions of yours delight him.
What actions of yours bring freedom
And love.
Whenever you say God’s name, dear pilgrim,
My ears wish my head was missing,
So they could finally kiss each other
And applaud all your nourishing wisdom!
Oh keep squeezing drops of the sun
From your prayers and work and music
And from your companions beautiful laughter.
And from the most insignificant movements
Of your own holy body.
Now, sweet one,
Be wise.
Cast your votes for dancing!
Hafiz
Tags: Quoting
This final Hawaiian post is a long one. Grab a beverage or a snack and sit for a spell, won’t you? We’re starting out in Hale’iwa on the North Shore, the surfing capitol of the world. There are lots of charming shops selling all kinds of goodness, and equally charming people. We’ll definitely be back here.
Action shot! The North Shore seems to be the shave ice capitol of the world, as well. If I do say so myself, our combination of lemon, coconut, and vanilla was pretty darned awesome. Soft, almost creamy, no ice crystals, and that touch of vanilla ice cream in the bottom of the cup was divine.
Anahulu stream bridge in Hale’iwa. I love bridges.
A cute cottage for island living.
Smack-dab in the middle of the Dole Plantation. I have never seen so many pineapples!
Highway 99 south to Honolulu.
Dining at the Kapiolani Farmer’s Market. We indulged in an omelet with asparagus and island sheep cheese, super refreshing sparkling beverages, macadamia flower honey from Kaneohe, and abalone. Despite being slightly worried that we were the only haolies in line for them, they did not disappoint: garlicky, buttery, slightly chewy, a bit like escargot. What a pretty bit of “garbage,” as well.
The Kapiolani Community College (the location of the farmer’s market) has one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever seen. There are a myriad variety of flowers…
And cacti…
And more flowers. This was actually part of a hedge. A hibiscus hedge. It is paradise, after all!
This amazing banyan is the neighbor of the Iolani Palace.
The Hawaiian Crest, it reads:
Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono
The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness
The grand entrance to the Iolani Palace.
Still pretty grand is the back entrance, where our tour started.
The barracks – can you tell Hawaiian royalty was deeply influenced by Europe, and, in particular, Great Britain?
What a fine porch to take in a luau…
Or wait for a tour wearing our special shoe covers. No photos allowed inside. Trust me, it was worth it.
Twin Palm trees and a beautiful view.
The state capitol building is unlike any I have seen before. I really liked the architecture. It is open to the elements, with offices around a courtyard. The handsome mosaic, reminiscent of the ocean, is at the center.
Also on the grounds of the capitol is this quite fine and modern rendering of the gracious and giving Father Damien. A sainted man who cared for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those with leprosy (Hansen’s disease). He worked tirelessly for sixteen years before contracting and succumbing to the disease himself. Mahalo.
Greetings from his Majesty King Kamehameha, responsible for uniting the Island Kingdom of Hawaii. You can see the real cape he wore (made of thousands of red and yellow feathers) as well as other gorgeous finery on the tour of the Iolani Palace.
The grand mausoleum of King William Lunalilo, elected popularly and by the legislature.
Lunch time at the Hawaii State Art Museum. The restaurant was highly recommended by our tour guide at the Iolani Palace. The chef takes a “local first, organic whenever possible, and with aloha always” approach. It is mighty fine.
A tribute to Hawaiian Firefighters. Mahalo!
The Honolulu Brewing Company building, circa 1900. It actually went under a $25 million dollar renovation, but, quite unfortunately, I guess they used some super stinky wood sealer, and the building remains unoccupied. Talk about a bummer. It was, however, used in LOST, in some scenes where Charlie was meant to be in England. This also reminds me, we had one LOST sighting on our island adventure. In the airport on our way home, we saw Jack’s father Christian. He is more handsome and shorter than I expected. Go figure.
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel grounds. As we were walking by, we saw a couple readying for their wedding ceremony. What a place to tie the knot! For my Uncle Chris, and a shout out to Rick, too: we couldn’t find the place you guys had a cocktail, but no worries, we indulged in more than one delicious tropical drink requiring an umbrella and a maraschino cherry. We also had stunning views from the Punchbowl (see below).
Pineapple County Store
An Oahu icon, we had really good burgers and the equally good company of a local who dines here every night.
Leonard’s makes Malasadas, the best doughnut-like baked good I have ever tasted. Trust me, with a particular fondness for fried dough, I have A LOT of experience in this area. We tried them plain, filled with chocolate (like a really good pudding), and a silky coconut cream, of course. Is there a Hawaiian term for Ooh la la?
We’re at the Punchbowl National Cemetery. Located in a crater above the city, the cemetery is a stunning memorial to the sacrifices of our service men and women. Lady Columbia holds a laurel branch and represents the grieving of all mothers. Inscribed beneath her are the words of Abraham Lincoln:
“The solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”
Amen to that.
It is a somber place of gorgeous vistas, encompassing Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor.
The small chapel.
One of the marvelous maps detailing World War II battles.
A final view of the sea.
Mahalo much, dear Hawaii!
Tags: Traveling
