So. I haven’t been online much lately. Haven’t been tweeting. Haven’t been posting. And certainly haven’t been writing anything much worth reading.

I’m not exactly apologizing, because I don’t really feel bad (because life is life and children are children and people are people and those are all The Most Important) but just stating the obvious.

Life is just life, many of our days having been those I consider A Day, and we’re learning every day to find our happy in the midst of slight disorder.

{In other words? My house isn’t staying as picture pretty as my perfectionist self would like it… and I’m okay with that.}

So, since we all know I’m an expert in The Random, I’m reverting to my trusty ol’ something and nothing list. It matches the state of my brain.

A bit of this. A bit of that.

• A few weeks ago, I signed up for The Most Awesome Sewing Class Evah {along with my beloveds, Sara Sophia and Arianne}. I’ve been sewing since I was a nine years old and definitely know my way around a sewing machine, but this class is so much more than following a pattern and ending up with a dress and I want to make all the goodies listed there. The leetle issue? The class started a month ago and I have yet to do the first project. It would probably help if I, you know, actually got out my sewing machine. That’s the plan for tomorrow. I plan to, at least. But I’ll be talking about all of that a bit more next week. I plan to, at least.

• I’m in love with this song. Can’t get enough of it.

• I have so many thoughts rolling around in this brain of mine to share in this little web space and no idea how to make them travel from my head to my typing fingertips. Expect scattered thoughts around here, mmkay?

• Deployment can be hard. Because, whaddayano, six months apart (with another seven ahead of us) really does take its toll… in a million ways. The people who deployed with John and are doing normal-length Marine Corps deployments are getting ready to head home this month. John isn’t.

• I wish I had some chocolate. A candy bar of some sort. A Milky Way, maybe? Or a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup? {what’s your fave?}

• We found out this week that my grandmother has a brain tumor… and things aren’t looking good. We’re waiting now to hear the results of further testing.

• Fall has fallen in the High Rockies. How soon is too soon to pull out the box of autumn decor?

• This has been a week of some firsts around here. But I’ll be back to talk a bit about that tomorrow. At least… I plan to.
  

• The end.

I’m feeling a bit disconnected from all of you these days. Will you talk to me? Tell a few randoms from your own days? Or just say hi? I miss you.

Anyone who reads here frequently knows that recipes aren’t the usual fare for H&H. But I had no idea, when I posted a picture of the banana roll I made last week, that between the comments, Twitter, email and Facebook, everyone and their sister, aunt, cousin and grandma would fall in love with the idea of such scrumptiousness.

So, without further ado, the much-requested, super easy Banana Roll recipe:

Here is where I tell you that this recipe isn’t originally mine, nor is the trick I learned for making it uber-easy to roll. It was given to me when I was engaged by a family friend who is more family than friend. She lives far away now, but I often miss her laugh and smile… and her food. She not only makes these banana rolls, but also, some killer pancit, chicken adobo and lumpia. There’s nothing quite like some authentic Filipino food, with a dessert of banana roll.

Also? You all might know that we try to be pretty healthy overall in our food choices around here. And while I did use mostly organic ingredients, our own butter and whole wheat pastry flour, the amount of white sugar, cream cheese and butter in this recipe completely nullifies all of it. And I’m perfectly okay with that, because, people, sometimes it’s just way-AY-ay worth it.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup banana, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/8 cup flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

For filling (makes enough for two rolls):

• 1 8oz package cream cheese
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line jelly roll pan with greased wax paper, greased side up.

Mix all ingredients and pour into pan.

Bake 12-15 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

(Now, for the easy roll trick…)

Let cool 5-10 minutes.

Grease another sheet of wax paper and lay, greased side down, on top of the jelly roll pan.

Flip entire pan over, inverting entire pastry onto a flat surface. Gently loosen the lining that is now on top, and set aside.

Roll up.

Let cool another 5-10. Mix filling ingredients.

Unroll. Spread filling evenly. Roll up.

Let children lick beaters from filling and use a serrated knife to cut yourself a slice of perfect pastry!

Sometimes, we just have a day that qualifys as A Day.

Not a bad day.

Just A Day.

is not a bad day.

Normal, slightly crazy, imperfect, usually exhausting and overall

just A Day.

How do you know it’s been A Day in your home?

This week has been full of just such days, resulting in much up and about time without much down and at the computer time. But I promise, the banana roll recipe will be up tomorrow. Get yourself some cream cheese and a few bananas and be ready for a Saturday morning treat!

Have you ever had a slice of banana roll? With a fried egg? And a cup of coffee in a pretty mug?

You should.

Also? Holly Hobbie-esque baby quilts?

Made of win.

What quiet moment, little thing, has turned your heart into a smile this week?

This is what I’m working on today:

Yes…

that is an ironing pile.

Some of you old timers may remember when I was an ironing fanatic.

I’m not anymore.

{there are a few of my husband’s church shirts in there}

{you may recall that he’s been in the sandy spot since March}

The words “toddlers” and “deployment” come to mind.

What are you working on this week?