Yesterday I went to Joann's to buy some fabric to make this bag. I wasn't real impressed with their selection of canvas and I can't leave Joann's empty-handed, so I decided to buy fabric to make a quilt for Emma instead. I started to pick out the fabrics I wanted to use, but then I realized that they were probably not what Emma would pick herself. I replaced the ones I had, and let her pick out all the fabric for her quilt. She actually did a decent job, and this way it really will be her quilt. Provided I ever finish it, of course. I did get started on it last night so stay tuned for pictures of the work-in-progress.

I have a new plan about which I am very excited. A lot of my family members enjoy listening to audio books, but I have always maintained that I would much rather listen to music instead. Today I was lamenting the lack of time I have for book reading, and suddenly a light bulb went on and I realized that listening to audio books would totally solve that problem. Duh. Why didn't I want to do this before? Hopefully the incessant chattering of a certain little someone will not make it too difficult to follow along. I requested two books on CD from the library - A People's History of the United States, and the first Harry Potter book. I think I'm the only one in the world who has not read the Harry Potter books, and I'm interested in seeing what all the hoopla is about.

I used to be a stickler about not letting Emma see any commercials. I have gotten pretty lax about that, mostly because the only things we ever watch are Royals games and the Food Network and both of those have commercials. I usually just leave them on and hope they are not really influencing her. Today when we were eating lunch, she mentioned that there was a commercial that said kids can't eat too much food. I absentmindedly asked her what the commercial was for, and as if she were getting paid for it, she said, "Hidden Valley Ranch! It makes vegetables delectable!" Heh - so much for not influencing her.

A few months ago, Vegetarian Times had a recipe for Peanut Butter Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips. We've made it a bunch of times since then, and I just have to share because it's so yummy. I'm eating a slice of it right now - yum!

Peanut Butter Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips

1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup light brown sugar or raw sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 medium bananas, mashed
1/3 cup unsweetened crunchy peanut butter
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1 large egg
2 Tbs. canola oil
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Coat standard loaf pan with cooking spray. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
2. Whisk together mashed bananas, peanut butter, yogurt, egg and oil. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Scrape batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Cool on rack 15 minutes before unmolding. Cool completely, then slice and serve.