Not So New Toy and Mom's Party

This is our not so new toy. It is called a "Red Dragon" and it shoots out flames that are very effective at killing weeds. I asked for it for Mother's Day a few years ago and and then it got shoved into the back of the garage and I forgot that we had it. However in our fervent battle against the weeds in our yard we found it and promptly put it to work. It makes a loud roar of a sound and the weeds end up decimated. Unfortunately we can only use it on stone, brick or dirt. If we use it on the weeds in our wood mulch Smokey the Bear would be right on us telling us not to start wild fires. It is a fun tool, but hand weeding has still not been eliminated.

The weeds did not have a chance.

It was great to see them wither away and die into a heap of cinders.

I'm starting a contest. The contest is for the longest root on a weed. This is the weed root we are entering. It was a red root weed (Say that five times really fast). Seth is the person who pulled it. We didn't measure it but it was the longest one that we have had this whole summer.

Now for the party. The yard has never looked so fine. It was just beautiful.

I love this window box.

My hydrangeas are blooming, and they have been blooming all summer long.

Rachel weeded the curvy bed for me. She worked so hard to help get the yard looking so pretty.

More of the curvy bed. We've had so much rain lately that I don't have to fill any of the bird baths.

These little flowers are right next to the street, underneath my mailbox.

The patio is all ready for my guests.

We had fruit kebabs, a cheese tray with french bread, cut vegetables with dip, sour cream banana bars (the recipe follows) and mango sorbet. Plus punch and water.
Now you see the other end of the food table. This was not the glamorous end of the table.

I had such a good time hosting the party. We talked and laughed and ate ourselves silly. When the party broke up we were surprised that the three hours had gone so fast. It came together cause I had lots of help. Maurie shopped, Rachel helped me prepare the food and Kate arrived early and helped pull everything together. It was a lovely evening and the only thing missing was that all of you were not here with me.

And now for that recipe. Sour Cream Banana Bars is a family favorite. The recipe makes a lot, but still they go fast because they are so delicious. One tip, you have to make the frosting. The frosting just makes this a real treat.

1 and1/2 cup sugar 2 cup flour
1 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup softened butter 1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 and 1/2 cups mashed banana Browned Butter Frosting
(about 3 large) (below)
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon slat
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Brown Buttered Frosting (below)


Heat oven to 375. Grease and flour a jelly roll pan, 151/2 x10 1/2 x1 inch. Mix sugar, sour cream, butter and eggs in large mixing bowl. Beat for one minute. Beat in bananas and vanilla on low speed. Beat in flour, salt, and baking soda on medium speed. Scrape bowl and stir in nuts. Spread dough in pan. Bake until light brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool and frost with Brown Butter Frosting. Cut into bars about 2 x 1 1/2 inches. makes 4 dozen cookies

Brown Butter Frosting

Heat 1/2 cup butter over medium heat until delicate brown; remove from heat. Mix in four cups of powdered sugar. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla and five to six tablespoons of milk until smooth and of spreading consistency.

We love these treats and we think that you will too.