Weekday mornings in the office can be hard - especially in the summer! I have a tough time getting myself into the work-groove when I am dreaming of reading a good book or playing outside (why don't adults get summer vacation?). Those are the kinds of mornings that a fresh little pick-me-up is in order to start the day off right - not just for me, but for the whole crew. How, you may ask? Simple: nothing draws people out of their offices and into conversation like food! 

One Friday recently I took a day off with no real plans in mind.  I decided it was going to be a day in the kitchen doing one of the things I love to do most – bake.  I started the day making two pans of bars.  One was for a friend who won my church auction donation of a “batch of cookies a month.”  The other was for new neighbors down the block. 

True confessions: I have a weakness for lattes. In any other form, I avoid caffeine - I don't drink soda or energy drinks - but put a nice, hot vanilla latte in front of me and I can't say "No".

When you live in Minnesota, even if you have no Scandinavian blood in your veins, you are surrounded by Scandinavian food.  Lefse (traditional Norwegian potato flatbread served with butter, sugar and cinnamon), Swedish meatballs, and kringle (a yummy Danish pastry) are a few of the delicious treats the Scandinavians have shared.

  When I feel like baking, quick breads are on the top of my list.  Why?  Because, they are “quick” to make. They don’t require kneading or rising time like yeast breads. 

  One of my family’s favorite recipes is Chocolate Chip Banana Mini Loaves. I have been making this easy quick bread since my sons were little boys. All their friends have enjoyed warm slices of this moist bread over the years.