Thanksgiving

It was good.

The time with Hubby's family was awesome. We sat up 'till after 1 am Friday morning visiting. On Friday we piddled around and didn't try to leave until it started snowing. We got as far as LaHoma and decided this was stupid to try to drive home in that mess. We turned around and went back.

We got home this afternoon. Before we left, Step-MIL told me that this was probably one of the best Thanksgivings she'd had in a long, long while. It was really nice. Not all the kids and grandkids could make it, so it wasn't overwhelming. It was certainly a good holiday.

I ate like a pig. For three days. Tomorrow I get to start being good again.

The cranberry salad was excellent, and the banana bread was awesome.

Cranberry Salad

• 1 pound cranberries, finely ground
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 (16 ounce) package miniature marshmallows
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• 1 pint whipped cream, beaten stiff

Grind cranberries and mix in sugar.
Cover & refrigerate overnight.

Next day - mix pineapple, pecans, and marshmallows in cranberries. Whip cream until stiff. Fold into cranberry mixture. Chill. Can be frozen for later use.

Hubby has always gone on about his mother's cranberry salad, but he likes this one much better.

Banana Nut Bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  
• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
  
• 2 cups mashed overripe bananas
• 4 small eggs or 3 XL eggs, beaten
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

There are all sorts of complicated directions to this that dirty lots of bowls, but here's how I make it:
Get out the mixer and your biggest bowl. Put butter, eggs, vanilla, and sugar in the bowl. Whip it. Dump in the dry ingredients. Beat it. Throw in 6 black bananas. Beat it till the bananas are chunky (size is your choice). Fold in nuts. Pour in 2 greased & floured loaf pans, or 1 greased & floured 9x13" pan.

Bake, 335, about 70 minutes... Done when knife comes out clean.

It's heavy, rich, moist, and yummy.

Sorry I didn't take pictures. I couldn't find the camera.