Springtime Fun, Settling In & A Recipe!

I stopped at Big Lots yesterday to pick up some index cards. While I was there I also picked up a four pack of sidewalk chalk for a $1. I've never purchased it before. We share our sidewalk with the adjoining townhouse. I didn't think it would be nice for Allison to leave her artwork for our neighbor to track into her house. So I never bought it. However, yesterday when I stood there thinking that I wish Allison could have fun with the chalk, a light bulb came on in my head! There is this huge slab of concrete directly opposite of our house that used to be a basketball court...thank goodness it isn't anymore! Anyway, it's secluded and only accessible by the few of us that live back here in the back. So I thought I would surprise her. She had a blast! I first sat at the kitchen table balancing my checkbook where I could see her through the window. Then I moved outside to clean out the van that I said yesterday that I would be embarrassed for anyone to see. We were out there for over an hour. Boy the entertainment a $1 can buy! Allison made a play date with a little boy that lives at the other end of our building for today. He's four and couldn't play yesterday because he had thrown a tantrum so hopefully, they'll be able to play today.

I've had a couple of emails asking how our two furkids are getting along. I would have to say great. Princess stopped hissing after a day. They chase each other up and down the stairs, up and down the hallway and around the coffee table in the living room. As you can see in this picture, they are doing just fine....thank goodness or Allison would have scratches all over her!

The flash didn't go off here but as you can see, they have no problem sharing!
Simba was sleeping in Allison's antique rocker yesterday...this is where Princess usually sleeps.
I removed the bunny to take another picture and Simba gave me this pose. Pooki used to do the same thing! I'm telling you, I think his soul is in this cat!
I was going to make banana bread yesterday because I had some very overripe bananas. Instead I made Banana Brownies. I got the recipe from Stacy Julian's blog. She posted it just a few days ago. She must have known that I had bananas ready for this yummy goodness. They only took me about ten minutes to put together and they are so moist and delicious. By the way, it doesn't say in the recipe but I used dark brown sugar (because that's what I had) and milk chocolate chips).
Banana Brownies
3/4 cup butter (soft)
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
2 ripe bananas (mashed)
2 cups flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt

chocolate chips (I use about 1 cup?)

mix everything together, spread into a 9"x13" pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. let cool and enjoy (don't over bake -- they look a bit "undone" sometimes, but will firm up)

Have Fun!

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