MAYFLOWER and all the little things

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day living in the Bay Area, temperatures reached the upper 80's, I had a picnic in the grass during my lunch hour, and then spent the evening wandering through my quaint neighborhood in North Berkeley. After grabbing a Popsicle at a small market (it was the only thing I could comprehend eating on such a warm evening) I made it to the Berkley Rose Garden where nearly all the rose bushes were in bloom. The few photos I snapped on my iphone don't do it justice! It made me happy seeing couples and groups of friends and families enjoying their dinner at the garden.

Below are a two neat TED Talks I enjoyed listening to this past month. I did myself a huge favor by 'liking' TED talks on facebook a few months back. Each day when I look at my news feed I am updated with the latest and greatest TED talks. I am always able to find a talk to fit my time frame, TED talks range from less than 5 minutes to over a half hour.

1. How To Make Stress Your Friend
2. How to Spot a Liar

May's motto... It really is the little things in life. Heres to May flowers and continuing to pray for showers.

The Simple and The Sweet

Spring has arrived, bringing us blossoms, dresses, and sandals and the delightful urge to begin planning summer camping and beach days. No big plans for Easter this year, just hoping for a relaxing weekend in the sun with lots of sleep and good coffee.

But back to Monday...keeping me excited about life on this fresh Monday evening is stuffing Easter eggs with jelly beans and sour grapefruits and melon gummies. I plan to deliver these simple and sweet gifts to my coworkers Friday to remind everyone spring has sprung!

1/2 jelly beans & 1/2 Sour Gummies

Jars stocked with spring colored candy

The Double Chocolate Banana Bread

Last week I made double chocolate banana bread, the most delicious banana bread in the entire universe. All my gratitude and blessings to Smitten Kitchen for once again introducing me to a recipe that I now can never live without. The combination of chocolate chips and cocoa powder are to die for. I also liked that this recipe called for melted butter instead of oil. Enjoy

My Tips for Double Chocolate Banana Bread:

1. Follow the recipe with patience and always lick the bowl
2. Skip the nutmeg
3. Cut the loaf into halves after it has cooled and after you have tasted your double chocolate banana breads deliciousness, wrap up one half in tin foil and deliver to a friend, coworker or neighbor.

p.s. If for some crazy reason this isn't looking like the banana bread you NEED to bake this week, maybe one of these three variations will suit you better, I highly doubt it. Enjoy