grace (eventually)

Just finished Grace (Eventually), Anne Lamott's latest work. Read it in near-record time. I enjoyed it much more than I did her previous book, Plan B. This one is much kinder towards the Bush administration. One chapter, did disturb me though. It's called At Death's Door. That's all I'll say about it now, so as not to spoil it for you. If you read it, let me know what you think. As I told a friend last night, "It will give you pause."

latest read

Always happy to have a new Annie book.

tunes today

Patty Griffin, Children Running Through
Over the Rhine, Discount Fireworks
Snow Patrol, Eyes Open
Arcade Fire, Neon Bible

Mama Louise's Banana Nut Bread

In response to the bread of life post below, my life-long friend, Carla, asked for Mama Louise's Banana Nut Bread recipe. Many a 4-H bread baking contest has been won with this recipe. Here it is.

Mama Louise's Banana Nut Bread

3 bananas
1 t. soda
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. shortening
3 eggs
2 C. flour
1/2 C. nuts
1/2 t. salt

Mix bananas with soda, let stand. Cream sugar, shortening, eggs. Add banana mixture and flour alternately. Add nuts. Grease pan slightly. Bake at 325 degrees for one hour in a loaf pan. Can also make in 3 mini loaves - adjust time to 45 minutes.

High altitude: I'm still trying to perfect this, but reduce the sugar by 2 T. Reduce the soda by a pinch. Increase the oven temp to 340.

lent...week three

Keep us alive with three square meals.

bread of life

lent...week two

This morning I was reading the Lord's Prayer in different translations.

Really like The Message:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.

And Rob Lacey's Word on the Street, which is a contemporary retelling of Scripture, UK style:

God in heaven, you're our Dad.
We respect everything you stand for. We want others to.
Please bring heaven on earth: people living life your way, like the angels do.
Please bring us what we need to keep us going each day.
Please acquit us, as we cancel our grievances and throw them all away.
Please pull us back from the edge of evil, if we're falling or being thrown.
'Cos you're all that matters; you're able to do it and you're to take the credit.
You're on your own.
It's your throne.
Absolutely!