Our son came over the other day to help me go through some storage things in our basement and re-organize. He was a HUGE help. I don’t mind admitting that at 43, I really no longer have some of the oomph I used to that’s needed to haul huge boxes up and down the stairs and load the car for dump runs.  He ran up and down the stairs for me, loaded about 200 pounds of old paint cans in the car, made runs to the dump and Goodwill, and helped me lift and move things that I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own. By the way, he’s almost 20 years old and 6 feet tall, so not a little boy anymore. Enter big sigh here. I’m loving the man he’s becoming but I sure miss the little boy he used to be!

While we were digging around under the stairs we ran across a storage box full of items that he’s given me over the years. What memories! It was so much fun looking through everything. It’s a good thing he was here with me, otherwise I probably would have bawled through the whole thing. Moms are weird like that. But with him here to go through it with me, we were able to talk and reminisce about some of the items. Wonderful, wonderful, memories that I will cherish forever. Among the paintings, art projects made with Fimo clay, water colors, chalk drawings, school binder projects, funny and original stories written in his young little hand, were some other very special items to me.

Heart rocks that he would find and give to me when we traveled or when he and my husband were on their boy’s get aways. I was always amazed when he could find rocks shaped like a heart. When he would present them to me it would melt my heart and I would kiss him all over his sweet, soft, cheeks. He even wrote “I Love You” on one of them in pencil that is still there after all of these years!

We dug deeper and then I ran across a chain filled with dime machine rings. Twelve in all. When he would go to the grocery store with me or run errands with my husband he would often buy one for me. The crucifix chain they’re hanging on was also a dime machine find that he found for me. Finding that was one of those moments where you just have to clutch it to your heart, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Such wonderful memories that on one hand seem like yesterday and on another hand when you look at your grown child, seem like a lifetime ago.

How blessed am I to have such wonderful memories of a little boy with a huge heart for his momma and now, a young man who is so helpful?!

I had a bit of time to burn in the morning before he arrived so I thought I would make a little treat for us. Quick and easy and the only thing better than banana bread slathered in butter is FROSTED banana bread. Banana bread made into cute little cakes is even better.

Frosted Banana Love Bites

Pre-heat oven to 325° and oil 2 non-stick mini bundt pans, set aside.

1/3 Cup Olive Oil

2/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

2 Large Eggs

1 tsp. Pure Vanilla

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Xanthan Gum

1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt

3 Very Ripe Bananas

1 3/4 Cups Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose GF Baking Flour

In a mixer, add the oil, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and bananas. Mix on medium until ingredients are combined and bananas are broken up, about 30 seconds.  Turn mixer off, scrape down sides, and add flour and xanthan gum. Mix on stir setting  until combined. About 40 seconds.  Spoon into prepared bundt pans. I filled them about 3/4 full. It made about 14 miniature bundt cakes.

Bake in preheated oven for about 12 minutes. Do not overcook as banana bread dries out very easily. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.

Cinnamon Sugar Drizzle

About 1/4 Cup Dairy Free Butter

About 3 Cups Powdered Sugar

About 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

About 1 teaspoon Pure Almond Extract

Almond Milk

Melt the butter in the microwave. Add sugar, cinnamon, and almond extract. Stir to combine. Thin with almond milk to create a thick drizzling consistency. Whisk to remove any lumps. Drizzle over cakes and allow to set.