Hi everyone! If you have been reading the blog for a while, then you will recognize this recipe (if not, then here is a new one for you). Since I shot pictures of these before I bought my Canon camera, I wanted to re-shoot these "muffins" that we make often. They are one of Jeff's favorite breakfast recipes!

My sister eats gluten-free and makes these often when she needs to bring something to a breakfast or brunch. You can add any of your favorite veggies to them, we just chose peppers.

I was hoping to cross off "don't buy anything materialistic for 2 months" from the Bucket List today. Since Ollie has cost us more than we anticipated, I haven't even been able to think about buying new spring clothes or fun jewelry (sad). Just as I was about to write and tell all of you that I haven't bought anything new in 2 months, I realized I would be lying! Last weekend I bought a bathing suit at Old Navy that I love. Want to see? Yes it is a one-piece. I don't think I have worn a one-piece (except for working out) since I was a little girl. But this suit was too cute to pass up!

If you haven't realized yet, my family loves dogs! I have always had a dog ever since I was a baby. My parent's passed their love for dogs down to my sister and I, and thankfully we both married men who love them as well. My sister has 2 miniature schnauzers (named Ridley and Cooper) and my parents have 2 pups that they rescued (named Kody and Klaire). Ollie had SO much fun this past weekend playing with all of the dogs. It was so good for him to learn how to interact with other dogs. Poor guy is now in shock now that we are home with no friends to play with :/ On Saturday we took the whole crew to a park down the road. We had a ton of fun! It started on the car ride there...

We found a bird watching "hut" on our walk.


Some of us found holes to dig.


The aftermath...


Some of us found water to swim in.


Some of us stopped for photo opportunities.


Our first family picture.


There is nothing I love more than spending time with my family and our pups on a beautiful (almost spring) day!


Everyone was tired after our walk. Thankfully we had a comfortable couch to relax on together afterward...


Hope you had a great weekend. We sure did!

Jeff and I made the trip to PA last night to visit my family for the weekend! I love love love coming home, but don't love the trip. It always takes us at least 4 hours (usually more) and with a 12 week old puppy, everything is more complicated! However we made it safe and sound and are now relaxing with family as I type this.

My sister and brother-in-law are over for dinner tonight so I baked up some gluten-free banana bread to enjoy after dinner! To make it a bit healthier, I substituted applesauce for oil.

This is the applesauce I used! My mom bought it for me and I love it. I was a little hesitant since it was raspberry flavor, but it ended up tasting great and perfect in the bread.

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan, or several mini pans. Cream together the applesauce, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl.

Once the ingredients are mixed well, add the flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, salt and cinnamon. While mixing these ingredients, alternate mixing the mashed banana in as well. Be careful not to make a mess like I always seem to do...


Finally, stir in the 1/2 cup of pecans. Once everything is mixed well, pour the mix into a greased loaf pan.


Bake for 45-55 minutes (ours took about 50 minutes) at 350 degrees. While the bread is baking, take pictures of the people (and animals) you love the most...


Meet my mama.


Jeff loves the pups. These are my parent's two dogs and of course, our Ollie.


And after a short hour, the bread will be finished and ready to eat!


I was worried the bread might be a bit dry since I used applesauce instead of oil, but it ended up making it almost more moist!


I never know how gluten-free baked goods are going to turn out. Sometimes I add too much xanthan gum and sometimes too little. Thankfully, I think I've finally got this whole g-free baking thing down! This bread won't disappoint.


We took all of the pups (my parent's two dogs, my sister's two dogs and Ollie) to the park today. Let's just say every single dog had to take a bath when we got back to my parent's house. Pictures for you to see tomorrow!