{No Fail} Banana Bread

Everyone has a few "tried and true" family recipes that they use on a regular basis, and today I am sharing one of my favorites.  I always have bananas that go bad before my boys get a chance to eat them, so this banana bread is a staple in my house.  It is a simple recipe, and it always turns out moist and delicious.

When I moved out of my childhood home, my mom and dad gave me a binder full of my mom's favorite recipes, and this banana bread is one of them.  It is a family favorite, and I am so excited to share it with you today.

Here's how to make it:

1)  Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a large loaf pan.
2)  Whisk together the following dry ingredients:
        2 cups of flour
        1/4 cup white sugar and 1/4 cup brown sugar
        3 tsp baking powder
        1/2 tsp baking soda
        1/2 tsp salt
        1/2 cup chocolate chips

3)  Beat together:
         1 egg
         3/4 cup milk
         1/4 cup melted butter (cooled)
         1 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas  {And mashing bananas is a perfect job for little helpers.}

4)  Mix wet and dry ingredients thoroughly, and pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes.

I highly encourage you to give this banana bread recipe a try.  It's even better with a cup of coffee or tea. Enjoy!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Here's a quick video showing how simple this treat comes together...

 

Felt Snowflake Wreath

I have wreaths for Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter, but I am always looking for something I can hang on my front door when  holiday wreaths aren't appropriate.  So... I decided to make something for the winter months... a felt snowflake wreath.

Isn't it pretty?  I cut a snowflake shape out of foam core from the dollar store {using an x-acto knife}.  Then, I made a ton of felt roses and used a glue gun to attach the flowers to the snowflake.  I finished it off by attaching a silver ribbon for a little sparkle.

If you want to make one, here is a tutorial on how to make the flowers:

1)  Using a CD as a template, cut out a bunch of felt circles.  {The number you need will depend on the size of your snowflake.}

2)  Using sharp scissors, cut each circle into a "swirl".  {See the picture below.}

3)  Start on the outside of the "swirl" and wrap the felt until you form a flower.

4)  Apply some glue to the bottom of the flower, and secure the end of the felt "swirl".  {You can give the flower a little "trim" if you like, or you can leave it as it is.}

What do you put on your front door in between "holidays"?  Now that I have a winter wreath I like, I better get to work on one for Spring.  :-)

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

Note:  Because the base is made of foam core... make sure the wreath is sheltered from the elements.  Foam core does not hold up well if it gets really wet.

ECM Kids' Craft Club - #11 {Valentine's Day Crafts}

Welcome to the 11th edition of the {East Coast Mommy} Kids' Craft Club {an easy and inexpensive way for kids to have fun crafting and to experience the excitement of getting their very own mail}.  If you want to join the club, you can find more info here.  For everyone who is already a member... this month, we are making two great crafts that are perfect for Valentine's Day.

Are your supplies ready?

OK.  Let's start by making your Valentine flower...

1)  Glue the pink heart "petals" onto the green popsicle stick to make a flower.

2)  Glue the green heart "leaves" onto the green popsicle stick.

3)  Glue a button into the centre of the flower.

Next, let's make a Valentine for someone special...

1)  Glue the googly eye and heart onto the front of the Valentine.  Then, add a "U" and the name of he person you are going to give it to.
2)  Draw a special picture or write a special message on the inside.

I hope you enjoyed making this craft and that you have a very HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.  {Don't forget to leave me a comment, or send me an email.  Your comments help me to improve the club, and I love hearing from you.} 

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Remember... Assist young children when using scissors, and be careful of the small parts included with this kit, as they can be a choking hazard for children under three. 

{Snow Day} Fun!

We have yet to have an official "Snow Day", but we have still managed to have some snowy winter fun.  Check out these simple and inexpensive winter activities you can do with kids.

Snowflake Pancakes - To make these adorable pancakes:  Make some pancake batter, and color half of it blue.  Then, use a cookie cutter to cut out a snowflake shapes, and switch the pancake centers.  It is really simple, and your little ones will definitely be impressed. 

Snow Painting... and a Fun Way to Warm Up - Put a little food coloring and water into spray bottles, and set your little artists to work on the freshly fallen snow canvas.  Then, when it is time to come in and warm up, stick some glow sticks in a nice warm bath.  Your little ones will thank you.

Snowflake Book Page Banner - It's always fun to have decor to fit the season, especially when it is handmade.  This snowflake banner is so cute that it will make your little crafters beam with pride.  {Click on the link for the full step by step tutorial.}

Toilet Roll Snowman - This adorable snowman craft is a perfect indoor activity on a stormy afternoon.  {Click on the link for the full step by step tutorial.}

Snowman Kisses - This tiny box is just big enough for one Hershey's Kiss.  Isn't this a great little treat for someone special?  {Click on the link for a free printable box.}

These are a few of our favorite winter activities.  What are some of yours?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

{Beary} Cute School Valentines

Earlier this week, I shared my "Berry" Cute School Valentines, and they were a huge hit.  So today, I thought I would share my new version - "Beary" Cute School Valentines.

Aren't they adorable?  I just put some "Teddy Grahams" in a bag, added a cute little "I am BEARY happy to have a friend like you" tag, and tied it with some ribbon.  So simple!

And... you can find a free printable version of the tags here.

Isn't Valentine's Day fun?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

{Berry} Cute School Valentines

I always love sending my boys to school with cute/original Valentines for their friends, don't you?  Here is what I came up with yesterday:

Isn't it cute?  I just put some "Swedish Berry" candies in a bag, added a cute little "I am BERRY happy to have a friend like you" tag, and tied it with a ribbon.  So simple.  :-)

I have even created a free printable template for you that you can find here.

These tags would be cute for chocolate covered strawberries too.  In case anyone wants to be my Valentine, I LOVE chocolate covered strawberries.  lol

... And what about some "I am BEARY happy to have a friend like you" tags {for little bags of Teddy Grahams}?  If you are interested, you can find them here.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

Snowflake {book page banner}

Christmas is over, and Valentine's Day is a month away, so now is the perfect time to do some "winter" crafting.  Yesterday, my three year old and I made this fantastic snowflake book page banner.

Isn't it cute?  It is simple to make, and your little one will love all the glue and glitter.  :-)

Want to make one?  Here's what you do:

1)  Cut out five snowflake shapes.  {I used some blue construction paper and a cookie cutter.}
2)  Use some glue to make designs on each of the snowflakes.
3)  Glue buttons or other embellishments onto the middle of the snowflakes.
4)  Pour glitter onto the snowflakes and shake off the excess.

Then, after the snowflakes are completely dry, use glue or double-sided tape to attach them to book pages.  Cut a "V" shape out of the bottom of each book page, hole punch the tops, and string the banner together with some yarn.

Do you like making "winter" crafts this time of year, or do you jump right into Valentine's Day crafting?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

 

* You can find me on facebook here.