Last night Jeff came down to the studio where I was working and said:
“So, I see you brought home some really bad bananas from the cabin”.
And that twinkle in his eye let me know that he had a request soon to follow.
“Mom? You haven’t made that Banana Bread in a long long time.”
“I know,” I replied. “I am planning on freezing these and making some when I get back from this next trip. We don’t have any shortening or self rising flour on hand.”
“How long will you be gone?” He asks.
“About two and a half weeks…..” is the reply.
“TWO AND A HALF WEEKS?!?” was his exclamation followed by a heavy sigh.
I had a million excuses to put it off. A zillion valid reasons on why I could not possibly make banana bread before leaving for Texas.
This morning I was up before 7am. The little local Food Lion grocery store about 3.5 miles up the road opens at 7am even on Sunday, so I showered, dressed, and headed out, all before Jeff woke up. I was on a mission. Shortening. Self-Rising Flour. Walnuts.
Two loaves ready to bake!
He must have awakened to the sound of my mixer running.
Is there anything more precious than a bear hug from behind by a grown up man-child? Yes. Handing him the spatula and watching him lick the batter in delight.
I am a mom. No matter how old my children get, I am THE mom.
And I will always cave when there is something like this that they want from me. Even if it means going out to the store at 7am with wet hair to get the shortening and the self-rising flour that I need!
You can find the recipe for my Bodacious Banana Bread under the Recipes tab at the top of the blog. It’s in the desserts and sweets section because this is good enough to be dessert.
Simple pleasures. One more day with my son before I head out on the road, and the smell of banana bread baking!
I’m hoping for Quilt-Cam at 2pm EST TODAY!
I’m going to try to do a test video to see if I can get it to do more than just record my voice and show my profile photo. I don’t know what the deal was with Google Hangouts last time – and I’m hoping it works for us!
Meet me here on the blog at 2pm EST and let’s find out!
Go get a project ready ---
Nothing is better than a hug from a grown-up man child. So true! Thanks for verbalizing the simple things that mean so much to us moms.
ReplyDeleteI know the feeeling....my 32 year old was here for the holiday...when he says 'mom, can you make....?' how can you say no? so I did the same....Lorelei Hauptmann
ReplyDeletenl.hauptmann@gmail.com
Such a sweet story. Many years ago, I saw my very tired mother-in-law agree to bake a very labor intensive multilayer cake because my husband, her son, asked for it. I will never forget that display of love for a full grown son. Because she was a mommy. Enjoy your time with your son today and as always thanks for all you share with us.
ReplyDeleteAw..you made me tear up!
ReplyDeleteOh, WOW!!! Love those big bear-hugs by my sons....
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!!
And I am certain to try your recipe!
Hope to catch you *live* tonight! 😉
Love from the Netherlands, Ria.
The fact that you are "that" kind of Mom makes me love you even more. I would have been at that Food Lion with you BTW :) Kiddos are the best <3
ReplyDeleteI have 3 grown sons and I know what you mean. It is very special seeing them as successful adults. We just moved to be near our oldest son and it's so wonderful be be with him for his birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI sit here counting my blessings because my holidays were filled with moments like that, and due to a trying year of elder issues, there were not many of those moments this year. I am a lucky woman, and I'm glad that you are too.
ReplyDeleteMy boys Jeff and Joe are 22 and 27, and their eyes light up when I make banana bread too :) best mom feeling!
ReplyDeleteSo good to have him home! I made banana bread this week for the kids too, left it at mom's so I would not eat it all! Will have to compare your recipe to my great gma Myrt's!
ReplyDeleteI recently made bread when my adult daughter was visiting. My teenage son came into the kitchen and with a perplexed look asked, "What is that smell?" Adult daughter answered, "This is what our house smelled like when I was a little girl." My goal for this year....Homemade bread way more often. I need to get that smell in my son's memory too!
ReplyDeleteBetsy
Bonnie, you are such a good Mom! I was actually tearing up reading this post, lol. I can totally relate, lol. Nothing taste better than warm banana bread for breakfast. I am excited about quiltcam �� I had just picked up my iPad to watch archives through the Apple TV and HAD (lol) to check FB first. I said last night that today was going to be a sewing day and I can't think of a better way to spend it than with you and the rest of the Quiltville family ��
ReplyDeleteBanana Bread is a request I get from my daughter all the time! I use my grandma's recipie. I also love it when she asks "Mon can you...?"
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and her 5 and 6 year old sons love with us. When the little one walks by the counter where the fruit is, if we have "ripe" bananas, he says "I smell bananas! These will make GOOD banana bread, Grandma." I love it, and the banana bread is,usually made within a day or two. How can I resist?!?!
ReplyDeleteRmcgu@hotmail.com
Aww...aren't you the Best Mom! Yes, we do Love our Children & would do anything for them...especially when a Son is asking for food...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time with him..
Looking forward to QuiltCam, will be working on my bow-ties with you on my 503a... Blessings.
Got a bit teary here, too. I have three boys that are 8, 6, and 3. It is a universal mom feely to want to see our children smile and fill them will good memories. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet Bonnie! I would do the same for anything my son requested! We like chocolate chips in our banana bread instead of nuts!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
MGM
Not my child but my one and only now taller than me almost 18 year old nephew... I make the best Polish beetroot soup, in the world, apparentely. Our first Xmas away from family in 13 years and he has requested it when he comes to visit. I had to pinky promise.
ReplyDeleteShoot! I was so busy working on week 3 of the Grand Illusion mystery that I haven't been on my computer all day. Ah well. I have 80 of those babies together. So no quilt cam for me - if it worked.
ReplyDeletePrecious, sweet memories :)
ReplyDelete♥♥♥ More "mom tears" here, too! LOVE living 'next door' to my daughter and her family ~ she dropped off a big bag of goodies for us early this afternoon, too! ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteWe just went to the local Japanese restaurant for dinner. Our granddaughter loves their ginger dressing, so I ordered a bottle to take home. You'd have thought I gave her the keys to the kingdom. Anytime you can give someone something that makes them that happy, it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you could make your son happy :-)
Banana Bread is a family favorite. I use butter and regular flour. I add chocolate chips. Being the Mom is my greatest joy. My 4th child is headed home for New Years. I sure missed them being here this Christmas. Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteGuess what my house smells like: Bonnie's Bodacious Banana Bread!
ReplyDeleteHad to add some dark chocolate though to feed my chocoholic soul... Thanks so much for this post - when I saw my over ripe bananas I immediately know where to look for a new recipe.