My Delicious Banana Bread Recipe

I hope you’re all ready for this. No, this no regular plain banana bread recipe. This is my CHOCOLATE CHIP banana bread recipe. Prepare to taste heaven.

INGREDIENTS

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

¼ cup shortening (you can use margarine or butter but NOT “spread”)

3 ripe bananas, mashed (the more brown the better)

3 tablespoons milk 

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 ¾ cups flour

½ cup chocolate chips

A sprinkle of salt

TO PREPARE OVEN & PAN

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease (PAM) your loaf pan.

TO MAKE BREAD

In mixing bowl, cream eggs, sugar, shortening, mashed bananas and milk.

In separate bowl, stir together baking soda, salt and flour. Add to banana mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. 

https://foodsogoodmall.com/recipe/201309banana-bread-with-chocolate-chips-html/

TO BAKE BREAD

Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake for 49-50 minutes. (You can sprinkle some brown sugar on top for the last 5 or 10 minutes if you want.)  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. 

Use a toothpick to stick in the middle, when it comes out clean it’s done!

This recipe is such a hit every time I make it; everyone loves it. Let me know if you love it too! Enjoy!

Sincerely, Ava Rains

The Wedding Series: My Engagement Story

On May 18, Donnie planned for us to go on a walk on campus at St. Thomas.

There was a place that we had taken a hike before in the winter that was down by the Mississippi River. This is such a beautiful spot; it’s completely hidden behind the campus and it’s our favorite spot to hike there.

We walked and climbed around along the cliffs and tried to avoid the mud from the rain that morning. We looked at the waterfalls and all the pretty views.

At one point toward the end of the hike I opened my phone and started to open a snapchat from a friend. As I opened it, Donnie grabbed my phone from my hand and said “Hey! No phones, we’re on a nature walk” and he put it in his pocket.

So we kept walking and went out to the biggest cliff overlooking the river and the bridge (such a beautiful spot!) Donnie told me to look out to the river so he could take a picture of me.

I heard him jump down behind me, so I turned around, and he got down on one knee!!! He asked me if I would make him the happiest man in the world and if I would marry him… and other sweet things. It was the perfect romantic spot for us.

Instantly I teared up, realizing that I would actually spend my life with the boy I’d loved for so long. And I couldn’t help but notice how gorgeous and perfect the ring was. I said “YES!”

Donnie’s friend came out of hiding in the bushes where she was taking pictures. It was such a happy and exciting day and neither of us could stop smiling! And I couldn’t stop staring at the sparkle on my finger.

We realized later that when I had started to open the snapchat from my friend it had snapchat-called her in Donnie’s pocket and she heard the entire proposal. She later sent pictures of her crying because she was so happy for us and heard the entire thing.

It was so fun to tell all of our family and friends! (even though our parents already knew about it.) We got so much support and love and it was such an exciting day! I’m so so excited that I get to marry my best friend in the world and spend life with him. All my dreams came true!

Sincerely, Ava Rains

Summer Date Ideas in the Twin Cities

I get it, it can be hard to come up with things to do all summer long with your boyfriend/girlfriend. People come to me all the time asking for ideas of what to do with their significant other. So, I decided to share with you my list of summer date ideas! These can be great to do with your boyfriend/girlfriend or even just your friends. Enjoy!

Adventurous Dates:

These ideas are for taking you a bit out of your comfort zone and making adventurous memories!

Kayaking

I love kayaking with my fiance and this can be a great date to do with another couple. I typically kayak down the Crow River, but other great places to go are the Minnehaha Creek,  the Rum River, and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. When kayaking down a river, park one car at the start of your route and a second car at the end. And remember to bring all of the keys with you down the river (yes, I forgot my keys for the second car in the first car.) Other than rivers, you can kayak on any lake near you. 

Bike Riding in Minneapolis

One of my favorite dates is renting out the green bikes in Minneapolis and riding around while seeing beautiful views. Renting the Nice Ride Bikes costs between $2-6 per person depending on how long you ride. I recommend renting the bikes near the Stone Arch Bridge and exploring Gold Medal Park. In this area you can also visit the Guthrie Theater lookout and stop for ice cream at Izzy’s Ice Cream. This was a date that my boyfriend and I did with other couples multiple times and it is always fun for everyone. 

Taylor’s Falls

This is a super fun date if you like hiking. It is on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin and has breathtaking views of cliffs, trees, and water.

Escape Room

I have wanted to do this date for so long! If you’re up for a thrill, try Escape The Room Minneapolis.

Boating

You can find a lake anywhere in Minnesota. Take a boat on the water for a fun day of skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, or wakesurfing. 

Go to a Concert

There are so many different types of artists that there is a concert for everyone. Take your date out for a fun night of music! 

Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

This date is not for everyone. It might not be as fun if you are not an art lover (me and my fiance are not) but it was still fun for us to try something new and different. The sculpture garden outside was cool of course!

Mill City Farmers Market

This is a date that I would love to go on! Either bring your girls for a fun morning or bring your boyfriend out of his comfort zone on this cute date of shopping.  

Fun Dates: 

These dates are here to make you feel like a kid again!

Valley Fair

Ride all of the rides and scream like little kids in Shakopee. Or go in October for Valley Scare and cling to your boyfriend all the way through the haunted houses. 

Betty Danger’s

Betty Danger’s is a restaurant in Minneapolis where you can dine on a ferris wheel and play mini golf. Such a fun place if you want more than just going out to eat. 

Top Golf

Top Golf is in Brooklyn Center and is a super fun place to practice your swing! This is a great place for a group or double date, and it’s also cheaper to bring a group here.  

Ax Throwing

I have never done this date but it’s high on my bucket list. Bad Axe Throwing is one in Minneapolis and is highly recommend. This seems like a super fun and unique date and would be great for a group or double date. 

Berry Picking

Look up places to pick berries near you and make sure you go before the peak season is over. Many places grow strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. My favorite place near me is D Round Barn Berries but there are a lot of other great places to go. After you pick way too many berries, you can look up recipes to make with all of the extra berries you brought home. 

Como Zoo

Como Zoo is in St. Paul. You can see so many different types of animals and this is a very cheap date idea. My favorite part is the conservatory with all of the pretty plants and flowers!

Mini Golf 

I always love playing mini golf because it’s fun no matter how bad you are. There are great mini golf places all over the twin cities. Can Can Wonderland and Big Stone Mini Golf are my best recommendations.

Twins Game

Cheer on your favorite baseball team with your date this summer! You can typically find cheaper tickets during the week and it can be nice to go in the evening when it’s cooler outside. 

Canterbury Park

Watching horse races is super cool. I love deciding together which horses to bet on and cheering them on together!

MNice Cream

MN Nice Cream is my new favorite ice cream place! They make such beautiful cones and even offer lactose free ice cream. Also, lots of people bring their dogs here so it’s an added bonus to see cute dogs while eating ice cream. 

Romantic Dates: 

These dates are perfect for making romantic moments with your date.

Union Rooftop

I love and recommend going to eat at any nice restaurant that has a rooftop. This is perfect for a romantic summer night. You can both dress up and eat great food while looking over the city. 

Picnic

Take your date on a surprise, romantic picnic at your favorite grassy spot. Bring both of your favorite foods and drinks and set up your picnic in a pretty area near water or flowers. 

COV Wayzata

This is my absolute favorite restaurant to go to in the summer. It is a beautiful place on the water and just has the perfect romantic summer vibe. I would recommend going here during the day rather than at night. You can also walk around the shopping area or check out the yachts on the water here.

Chill/Last Minute Dates: 

These ideas or for those days where you want to do something, but not ~actually~ do something. 

Hammocking

Chill in a hammock with some snacks and take some time to relax with your boyfriend/girlfriend. 

Go Shopping

This date doesn’t have to be expensive and you can do it anytime. I usually go and look at all of the clothes I wish I could afford. Or go all out and buy new wardrobes. You can get advice on what outfits your date likes on you. 

Vali-Hi Drive In

This drive in movie location in Lake Elmo is perfect if you want to have a chill night but not just sit at home. Bring all your snacks, popcorn, and blankets and settle in for a cozy, romantic night. 

Sincerely, Ava Rains