bananas

so,
i learned the other day that avocados and bananas
have a compatible enzyme release system for ripening.
yup.
my produce guy, austin, says that putting bananas in with unripe avocados
is a great way to get us to guac' a whole lot quicker.
i don't know for sure if it was the 'nanas or not,
but mexican monday was a success,
and that was due to the elite guacamole,
which mightn't've been ready without 'em...
also,
that meant bananas for baking with!
and i do love a good banana bake.
this time around,
i went with muffins, because i ca eat a LOT of muffins,
and it doesn't seem like such a big deal,
especially if they're mini-
check the when-life-provides-bananas-make-bread-type teleport:

word up, neighbors.
soft, warm, spongy, melty buh-nay-nay-noonoo jauns.
spelt, oatmeal, coconut, and bananas, mini-sized,
with rolled oats and demerara sugar sprankles on top!
yum.
the thing is,
i had so much batter left over,
i had to biggie-size it, and add chocolate chips while i was at it.
i mean,
if ever there was a signal to do MORE,
it's having too much in the first place.
yup.
what's in 'em?
ummmm-
1 cup of spelt,
.5 cup oat flour,
.5cup rolled oats
.5 cup ground flaked coconut
1 cup all-purpz flour
.5 tsp salt
1tsp baking kapowder
1tsp baking soda
3 big smooshed up bananas
.5 cup butterish
1 cup vegan sourcream
1 cup mixed sugars (bottom of the bags whitish, rawish, brownish style)
and a pinchy pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg.
.....
you know how it goes, bros-
fat and sugar, naners, salt, s'cream,
then flour, spices, and rising agents-
all in one spot, and then all in the oven, at right around 350F,
for like a half an hourish.
...and then?
kaboom-
you're the hero of the morning or night or whenever.
that's for real.
three dozen muffins, and there's maybe only six left already?
yeah.
true testament to the power and desirability of these treats in these streets.
mmmmmmm.
*
let's go back a minute, kids.
i wanna show you something:

spruce tree tips!!
these are the paintbrush-lookin' limb nubs of new growth
on the neighborhood's big XImas evergreens.
they're also pretty tasty.
the time is just about used up for finding the small ones,
and the big bits aren't for eating.
i'm lucky there's a slow-growing shady spot on my morning dog trek,
and that the woodsly goodness is so generous.
also,
this:

yeah.
lilac is a pretty busted looking bush/tree.
for real.
so,
the yearly dopeness really stands out in stark contrast against the
boring plainness of the other eleven months.
it's NOT the most delicious thing i've ever eaten.
it IS one of the prettiest.
and i'm willing to bet a simple syrup of the stuff would make an amazing glaze.
that's likely, but i'm not about to get into it.
why?
because it's an all-american three-day+ weekend,
jumping off this afternoon,
and entering into the barbecue zone and the yard/tag sale scene,
which unofficially begins summer.
alas,
spring flowers will have to wait until next time,
because as of now we've got grillin' to get into.
is it any surprise as i type that, there's big ol' fat raindrops pouring down?
i mean,
i'm not surprised, because nature wins,
always, and forever and ever,
each and every time...
the reminder of that comes when you've made plans
that specifically rely on her to be cool.
(she's not cool, man)
-
raindrops and dog walks,
friday work at the tattzap shack,
and friday night tight-and-bright dinnertime, too.
it's bound to be a full day in the north woods.
and i'm pretty much fired up about the whole thing-
it's all really happening,
and i'm sure ready for some more;
never quiet, never soft.....