A Crazybananas Cocktail

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Drink

This past weekend, the fabulous Lane came over to my house in her fancy high heels and made me a drink! I asked her to put together a few fun recipes for a “Crazybananas Cocktail” and the girl did not disappoint. This recipe is perfect for those hot, end of summer days. And it contains fruit so I would consider it quite healthy! This is probably why I’m not a doctor. Well, and the lack of medical degree.

Vodka Limeade with Watermelon Ice Cubes

What you need:
– watermelon
– vodka
– limes
– sugar
– fresh mint

How you make it:
A few hours before serving, cube watermelon into ice cube size pieces. Pop into the freezer on a baking sheet for a few hours or until frozen.

Make a simple syrup. Combine 1 c. sugar with 1 c. water over low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and add a sprig of mint. While the syrup cools, juice 6 limes. You’ll want about a 1/2 c. Stir together and add 2 jiggers vodka. Pour over your watermelon ice cubes. Drink with a fancier straw then the one I had on hand from Ikea. Or if you’re like me, just enjoy it regardless of the lack of pretty straws and stemware.

For another fun recipe, check out Lane’s blog!

Lazy Mom’s Guide to Being Awesome

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Did I mention a few weeks ago that one of my besties, Miss Lane, gave birth to her first baby?! Oh, it is so exciting to know Lane is a mama now, and I can’t wait to trade stories of poop in the bathtub and how to wrestle the remote control away from your toddler while you’re trying to watch an ABC Family marathon (don’t act like you have no clue what I’m talking about…ABC Family is amazing!). But for now, I wanted to bring a nice meal to my dear friends who are surely living the crazed, sleepless life of first time parents. A total bonus? If you bring food, you get to snuggle baby E!

But then the week of the meal drop off came and things exploded around here (as they tend to do pretty much anytime I have anything planned ever). I quickly realized creating some major meal was not going to be in the cards, so instead I went the lazy mom’s way out…

Picnic

This is a great idea for those of us with little time or little talent when it comes to cooking a fab meal (ahem, I am both of those things). I picked up a cute, reusable picnic basket and those great, colorful cartons to hold fresh fruit and summer veggies from Target. I used pre-made pesto from Whole Foods along with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes on baked bread to make caprese sandwiches, which Lu and I then wrapped in craft paper. We decorated the craft paper with colorful Kids Made Modern tape, and then made cute little utensil wraps using yellow paper napkins, plastic forks/spoons, a colorful straw and, of course, a paper umbrella to spice up their drinks. We wrapped this in the tape as well and stored them in a turquoise candle holder I got from the Target clearance rack. We threw in some Izze’s and flowers, and topped it off with fresh macaroons (also decorated in craft tape) from a local bakery. All in all, it took about 20 minutes to put together, not counting shopping. Lazy moms, hurrah!

The Real Issue Here – A Guest Post by Abbie Young

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First of all, before I even begin – let me say I am no expert on this matter. I do have a mere 6 years of experience in the child welfare system, but most of all, to my credit, I am aware, something I have come to realize most of America is not – and I will explain exactly what I mean by “being aware.”

On November 4, 2011, Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State Assistant Football coach was charged with 40 counts of sex crimes against young boys, following a three-year investigation into allegations that he had inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old boy over the course of four years, beginning when the boy was ten years old. The boy’s parents reported the incident to police in 2009. A grand jury identified eight boys singled out for sexual advances or sexual assaults by Sandusky from 1994 through 2009. At least 20 of the incidents allegedly took place while Sandusky was still employed at Penn State.

These allegations sent a short-lived shock wave through not only Penn State, but also our country. People were shocked and horrified that events like these could take place and be swept under the rug. However, the sex crimes committed against these young boys was quickly overshadowed by what would happen to legendary coach, Joe Paterno, who did not take the appropriate measures in reporting these allegations to the authorities.

As I watched the press conference where the announcement was made regarding the firing of Joe Paterno and an hour of coverage that followed, I was mortified that Sandusky’s name was mentioned once…ONCE, and the victims of his crimes were not mentioned at all. Instead, the conversation on TV surrounded how Penn State would prepare for their football game on Saturday against Nebraska, the students rallying support of their beloved coach, and the future of Penn State football.

Certainly you can see what’s wrong with this picture. During the hour of commentary I watched, here are the facts that were presented:

One. (Paterno) On the list of all-time winning-est coaches in the FBS, No coach in the history of Division I college football has won as many games (409) as Paterno.

Five. Coach Paterno has led five Penn State teams to undefeated seasons.

Twenty-four. With 24 bowl victories, coach Paterno has won more postseason games than any other coach in history. He is also in the record books for having the most bowl appearances at 37.

Sixty-two. The number of seasons Paterno has been a coach at Penn State.

These are the number that were reported last night. I was sick. Angry. Disgusted. THESE ARE NOT THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER. Following are the numbers that should have been reported.

EIGHT. The number of boys (that we know of) who had their innocence stolen from them the moment Sandusky sexually abused them.

TEN: The age of the boy Sandusky allegedly sodomized in the shower.

TWENTY: The number of incidents that allegedly took place while Sandusky was employed at Penn State.

FORTY: The number of counts Sandusky has been charged with regarding sexual abuse allegations.

Coverage then switched to students gathering to protest against the firing of their beloved football coach. At this point, I began cursing the TV and my husband began wondering if finally the hormones had won out and I was going crazy.

Here is what saddens me. These boys’ lives were irrevocably changed by Jerry Sandusky. These boys were further traumatized by the fact that no one in a position of power cared enough about their well-being to take the proper measures in reporting the abuse, and they are still being traumatized today by our country’s misguided support of a football coach who played a hand in a blatant failure to protect innocent children. What message are we sending to not only these 8 victims, but all the victims of child abuse in our country?

Sadly, what has come to light in the wake of this situation at Penn State is a complete lack of awareness as to what really happens to children in OUR county on a daily basis. Make yourself aware because it is happening in your country, your state, your town, your neighborhood. If you think sexual abuse does not happen in your area – you are not aware.

Penn State had an amazing forum to take a national stand against child sex crimes. Instead, students are holding drunken riots in support of a football coach and news stations are reporting a completely misguided set of facts, ignoring the real issue here. Penn State may win their football game on Saturday – but answer me this – why do we live in a society that thinks this is more important than the abuse of innocent children?

Be someone that focuses on what really matters in the wake of these horrible allegations surrounding the events that took place at Penn State. There are things you can do and no act is too small. Here are a few ideas:

www.nationalcac.org
The National Children’s Advocacy Center is a non-profit organization that provides training, prevention, and treatment services to fight child abuse and neglect. – Find your local chapter and volunteer.

www.casaforchildren.org/
A nonprofit network supporting and promoting court appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent environment free from abuse. – Find your local chapter and volunteer

www.d2l.org
Child sexual abuse information and statistics

——————-

Abbie Young is the former director for Lee County CASA and has worked with CASA throughout the country for over six years. She is also one of my BFF’s and a kick ass lady. Listen to her.

My Friends Are Alright

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Back when I started this blog a few years back, Facebook didn’t even exist to my circle of friends. Twitter certainly wasn’t in the picture, and so whenever I said I had a website, people looked at me like I was A.) Crazy B.) Awesome or C.) Lying. Which, let’s face it, is how people still look at me most of the time, so we should probably just move on.

In the last few years, some of my best friends and most lovely commenters on this site, have started blogs of their very own. Somehow in the last redesign of Crazybananas dot com, I deleted my blogroll (yeah for messing with CSS when I have no idea what I’m doing!), so I figured I’d put together a mini-blogroll of some of my favorite friends and their own little pieces of the Internet.

Misc. – A modern girl’s guide to the miscellaneous: This little gem is written by my friend Lane, who has contributed to Crazybananas several times over the years (see here and here). I’m so happy she has finally started her own blog, since she is probably one of the most knowledgeable people I know when it comes to cooking, fashion, design, home, et cetera. Her blog is basically a tour of her favorite things, and trust me, you will be as charmed as I am. Especially when you read her guilty pleasures section…
Favorite posts – Prosciutto, Fig & Brie “Pizzas” and Polished

textStyle(d) and @ the moment: Katie, who was a contributor during the “Preggo Style” series last fall, has started TWO blogs and both are worth checking out. The first is textStyle(d), a fashion blog written from the perspective of a textile design expert. She posts lots of great, eye-catching items, along with tips of how to make certain pieces work together. @ the moment is a more personal blog, which was a spin off from her Twitter feed, where she had regularly been posting pictures of her “View @ the Moment.” The blog consists of these pictures, but also random thoughts and “Listening to @ the Moment” where she posts songs and videos.
Favorite posts – Print ID and V @ the Moment, Rain, Fog, Storm

The Stover Show: My friend Mikayla was (and still is) one of the best commenters on Crazybananas. She is one of those friends that is always supportive of anything I do, even if what I’m doing is totally stupid. She started her blog, The Stover Show, as a way to keep her friends and family updated on her life as she moved to the suburbs, got married and had her first child. Her blog mostly focuses on her family life, with tons of pictures of her adorable son, Sawyer. Recently, Mikayla faced a struggle that I will never be able to comprehend, which she posted about with such class and dignity, it literally brought me to tears. Check it, she’s probably the strongest person ever.
Favorite posts – Inspiration and The Bright Side

Guest Banana: Cooking with Lane – Pear Crisp

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(Editor’s Note: I asked my super-chef friend Lane to come up with some easy holiday recipes for those of us who aren’t so naturally talented in the culinary arts. Today she’s focusing on an dessert that’s not, LET ME REPEAT, not pie. I know, I was worried too. But I shouldn’t have been, this stuff is super-delicious.)

Pear Crisp
Makes 10 to 12 servings

During the holiday season, you see a lot of pies. And, pies are fine. I, however, am not a huge pie fan. I like crisps – a lot. Especially with ice cream.

Here, I’ve included a recipe for a pear crisp. It’s a great alternative to the usual apple version and would be a simple dessert to bring to a potluck or serve with a special dinner.

It’s also good to eat with a spoon right out of your fridge, but you didn’t hear that from me.

If you’re allergic to nuts, you can leave out the almonds. Just replace them with ¼ c. oats.

Filling:
1 ½ c. 100% pure apple cider (not from concentrate)
¾ c. dark brown sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
2 ½ lbs. pears, peeled, cored and sliced into wedges

Streusel:
¾ c. dark brown sugar
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
1 ½ c. flour
1 ¼ c. oatmeal (rolled or old fashioned)
¼ c. almond slivers
1 stick butter (room temperature)

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a mixing bowl, combine all of the filling ingredients with a whisk. Next, peel and slice the pears into wedges. Drop the sliced pears into the wet ingredients as you go, so that they won’t brown up. Pour this mixture in a 9×9 glass baking dish.

Pear Crisp 1

In another bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Slice the butter into tablespoon size pieces. Add them to the bowl. Use your fingers to combine. The mixture should start to resemble a coarse, crumb-like mixture. You should see buttery, pea-sized pieces of flour and oats throughout the bowl. Once combined, sprinkle the mixture on top of the pears.

Pear Crisp 2

Place the glass dish on a rimmed baking sheet. This way, if you’re crisp bubbles over, you won’t have burnt sugar in your oven. (Ed. Note: This is a total badass tip. I burn stuff over in my oven all the time…this will make my life so much easier.) Bake for an hour and 15 minutes. Remove when the pears are tender and the crust is golden.

Pear Crisp 3

(Ed. Note: She forgot the last step: INHALE! Seriously, so, so good. And just like that, Cooking with Lane is over! Wah, right? Now go forth, cook these easy dishes and take all the credit when people proclaim their awesomeness. Or you can give some to Lane…whatever. Thanks, Lane!!!)

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