Remembering why I started this blog and Gluten-Free Blueberry Banana Bread Gluten-Free Blueberry Banana Bread* 1/3 cup canola oil 2/3 cup brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoonful vanilla extract 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon cardamom [nutmeg also works] 1 teaspoon xanthan gum 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (approximately 4, depending on the size) 1/2 cup fresh blueberries, washed and drained well [may use raisins] 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts *From Scarborough Fair Bed and Breakfast Preheat oven to 350 degrees Grease 9X5 non-stick loaf pan. [may use 5X3 loaf pans] Cream together oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl. Add flour, xanthan gum, salt, baking powder to the egg mixture [I would probably sift the dry ingredients together first] alternating with bananas until smooth. Stir in nuts and raisins or blueberries. Transfer to pan(s). Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into loaf comes out clean. [Check smaller pans at 45 minutes] Wow! It has been so long since I posted. Part of the reason was there were some technological issues with posting but mostly, I have not felt so much like writing. That is not a bad thing. I began this blog to help me through some rough spots in my life. We all have them. Some are created by circumstances we cannot not control but most of the time it because of choices we cannot change. A few months ago, I decided this would be a good time to print this blog for those who might be amused by it or who might see a side of me that I often do not share. The only problem was, my computer crashed and I have had a very difficult time getting used to the newer computer I replaced it with. Some days I could only growl at it and walk away. I was really relieved to find out the programs of the new computer baffle others too. Since the last writing, my life has taken so many twists and turns. Most of them I had nothing to do with. I now have two great-grandchildren. Ashtyn is two and Landyn is going to be four months old in a few days. My youngest granddaughter took her first steps a few days ago and will be one next Sunday. I wish I could take credit for their cuteness but that was not something I could have even imagined much less controlled. This week my granddaughter graduated high school and she caught her first fish! Her journey is at a place that seems like it was just yesterday for me. Life seemed so perfect and the road ahead just seemed so laid out for me. It has been 43 years since I wore that white gown and tossed my tassel to the right to say "I made it!". My children all have wonderful and challenging stories to tell. I hope and they read the pages that capture a little of mine they will understand me a little better. ~ Life is good. Love, Nana Psalm 139:15 "When I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the lowest part of the earth, Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed. In your book that they all were written, the days fashioned for me when as yet... there were none of them". Nothing that has or ever will be part of my life comes to God as a surprise. I may not understand it but I know it is all part of His perfect plan for me.