Peanut Butter Banana Pancakes with Chocolate Chips and Reese's Baking Cups and Reese's Pieces Candy

It has been awhile since I posted.  I had some family in town for a bit and then I went to Universal Studios to see the Harry Potter themed sections.

It was wonderful to see family.  We explored the city a little bit and saw a play.  The time went by too quickly.  Universal Studios was lots of fun.  I spend so much money on Harry Potter merchandise.  I think I spend about $50 dollars on candy alone.  Given that all the prices are inflated at a theme park, I didn't actually buy that much candy.  Each chocolate frog was ten bucks.

Whole Wheat Banana and Chocolate Pancakes with Peanut Butter Chips

It has rained so much in the area where I live in the last few days.  It rained all day Saturday and has been raining off an on since then.  The forecast predicts rain tomorrow as well.

I like rain.  It is pretty and life-giving.  I do not like riding my bike in the rain though.  I have taken a brief hiatus from biking to work this week.

Whole Wheat, Oatmeal, and Banana Pancakes with Chocolate Chips and Toffee Bits

I'm posting another pancake recipe today.  I can eat pancakes for any meal.  These have oats and whole wheat flour, so they are full of fiber.  

Of course, I added chocolate chips and toffee bits, so it's not really healthy.

Cake Mix Banana Bread

I have gotten into the habit of mailing my nieces and nephews candy for major holidays.  I create little crafty bags or boxes.  Last year I made orange jack-o-lantarn bags full of candy for Halloween.  

For Christmas, I decorated boxes of Milk Dud's to look like snowmen.  I enjoy doing it.  It lets my nieces and nephew know that I am thinking about them.

Peanut Butter, Chocolate, and Banana Pancakes with Reese's Pieces, Mini Peanut Butter Cups, and Chocolate Chunks

These are some pretty over the top pancakes.  They are packed full of all kinds of yummy treats.  They are a perfect dessert for breakfast kind of day.

I have a bunch of peanut butter and chocolate recipes on my blog.  I have made chocolate pancakes with peanut butter M and Ms and peanut butter chips, chocolate and peanut butter swirl muffins, chocolate pancakes with mini peanut butter cups, chocolate cookies with mini peanut butter cups, peanut butter blossom cookies, and peanut butter cup filled peanut butter cookies.

Hummingbird Pancakes

Within the last few years, I have become aquatinted this hummingbird cakes.  They are quite delicious.  I actually made a hummingbird cake for my birthday this year.

I made a hummingbird cake for my birthday this year.  It was pretty epic.  Hummingbird cakes are banana caked packed full of pineapple and pecans.

Hummingbird Cake

My birthday is in March.  Making my birthday cake is a pleasure.  I start thinking about it a couple of months in advance.

I naturally prefer chocolate desserts, but this year and last year, I changed it up a bit.  Last year I made carrot cake cupcakes, and this year I made a hummingbird cake.  Yum!

Chubby Hubby Pancakes

I have been on the lookout for chocolate Cherry Garcia ice cream for weeks.  Last weekend, I checked the two closest grocery stores.  Today I was close to a Walmart, and stopped to see if they were carrying it.  No such luck.

I know that it has already hit some stores, because my dad found a pint in Grand Junction, Colorado.  I'm a little surprised there are stores selling it in a rural Colorado town and not in DC metropolitan area, but maybe Ben and Jerry's has a stronger fan base in the intermountain west.

Banana Overnight Oatmeal

I have a dentist appointment this morning.  The last time I went to the dentist, I had been so diligent about flossing.  I flossed pretty much every day.

The last six months I have been much less diligent.  I feel a little guilty.   There are just so many good things that I should be doing, and I don't do all of them.

Banana Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting

My bike tire burst while riding my bike to work yesterday.  I'm not sure what happened.  It was sudden and dramatic.  Luckily, I was only a few blocks from work.  I was able to walk the rest of the way.  

I pushed my bike to a bike shop after work, and the repair man fixed it in about 20 minutes.  I thought I would have to leave it overnight, but I ended up riding it home.

Banana Pancakes with Reese's Pieces

I got back from Vietnam late last night.  It was a whirlwind of a trip.  I had a wonderful time.  I don't plan relaxing trips.  I plan vacations where I see as much as I can.  My friend and I were both pretty ragged and tired by the end, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

We visited Hanoi, Ho Chi Min City, Halong Bay, and Sa Pa.  For most of the trip it was blisteringly hot, but it rained heavily the two days we were in Sa Pa.  We did not let the rain deter us.  We bought rain jackets and explored little villages, waterfalls, and the countryside.  

Banana Bundt Cake with Peanut Butter Filling and Peanut Butter Glaze

I made this banana bundt cake a couple of weeks ago for a brunch.  I told the host that I would bring cinnamon roll, but I noticed another person had offered to bring cinnamon rolls too.  In the end, two people brought cinnamon rolls.

I have a soft spot for cinnamon rolls, but three pans of rolls would have been a bit much.  This cake is a dessert, but it's appropriate for brunch because it is a bundt and has minimal frosting.  How do you like my logic?

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookie

I had the day off yesterday.  I wanted to go to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.  I arrived a little after nine in the morning to sign up for a tour, and all the tours for the entire day were already filled.  I couldn't believe it.

There are many school groups in town right before summer break, and there are many people who came to see the cherry blossoms.  I might not be able to take a tour  until Fall.

Passion Fruit and Banana Muffins

Months ago I went to Walmart.  I rarely go because it's not convenient.  I ended up buying a few random items.  For example, I bought a bag of frozen passion fruit puree.  

I'm not exactly sure what I planned on doing with passion fruit puree.  It sat in the far corner of my freezer for months.  I rediscovered it recently while searching for a bag of frozen brussels sprouts and decide to make tropical inspired banana bread.

Elvis Pancakes

I just got back from Belize late last night.  Belize exceeded my expectations.  We saw ruins, explored caves, and swam in the ocean, among other things.  It was a warm break from the cold winter.

It's hard to chose a favorite thing among so many excellent activities, but I would say exploring the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave was the cooling thing we did if I was pressed.  The Mayans offered food and human sacrifices in this cave for hundreds of years.  

Chocolate Banana Pancakes with Caramel Bits

My parents, brother, and sister in-law have been planning a trip to Belize for a few months.  They are going this month with a group.  I learned last month that someone in their group cancelled.  I'm always excited for a trip, so I bought their spot.

The details of the trip were already set when I joined.  It's a nice way to travel because I haven't done any preparation.  A consequence of this is that I'm not sure what we are doing.  The warm weather alone is one reason I'm excited.