About a month or so ago, I entered a draw to win some tickets to see the Tassimo Smart Talk Event in Toronto. The only reason I entered was because Sarah Richardson and Nik Manojlovich were scheduled to speak. Not in a million years did I think I would win tickets. With all the people in Toronto entering why would my name come up?

Well, it did.

My girlfriend Ms.R and I chat about Sarah Richardson all the time. Her name comes up almost every time we are together and how much we wish we could afford to hire Sarah to come and design our houses. At the very least we try our best to bring a little bit of Sarah’s designs into our own homes.

It made perfect sense to invite Ms.R to come along for the ride with me. We would have a day without our kids, chatting together in the car, drinking coffee and listening to Sarah Richardson, we couldn’t think of a more perfect Saturday.

We arrived with plenty of time to spare at the Liberty Grand in Toronto. To a lobby full of people tasting coffee brewed in the new Tassimo machine and some delicious desserts.

Ms.R and I waited and watched while our beverage hostess demonstrated the Tassimo machine. Then our turn came about and we had to choose what to try. I went with the Cappucino and Ms.R went with the Americano. Man those were delicious.

Here is the gorgeous Ms.R waiting for her drink to be made.

A little history lesson for you all. Ms.R and I have been friends for many years now. We first met when I was in University and working at little local restaurant called Angelo’s. Ms.R was friends with one of my coworkers and when the time came that we needed another waitress we made sure that Ms.R was the next one hired. I have not worked at Angelo’s for 11 1/2 years. I worked at Angelo’s for five years. Yes, we have known each other that long. Ms.R hasn’t changed one bit. She is just as gorgeous and fun as she was when we first met.

Once we had tasted our coffees and desserts, made sure that Ms.R had her ballot in for the draw to win a $10,000 Bosch kitchen it was time to enter the ballroom.

Ms.R and I went all the way to the front and managed to get great seats. We were in the third row behind the media. One of the hostesses told us to pretend we were media (because I asked if I could take photos for my blog) but, we were a little too chicken to do that so we settled for six rows from the front. Look at all the people that turned out. It was amazing.

Nik Manojlovich was our Host. He is great! I used to watch him on Savoir Faire all the time and only wish I could have another wedding so he could design it all for me. Maybe he would do an anniversary? He is amazing.

And then Sarah Richardson came out. She is just as fun, smiley and enjoyable in person as she is on her shows. She gave us great tips on decorating different rooms in our homes, mostly kitchens. Both Ms.R and I were thrilled because we are both trying to fix up different aspects of our homes and the kitchen is where we spend most of our time.

Ms.R and I actually won some coffee and got to go all the way up to the front. We were game for anything. We tried to answer all the questions and jump right in because you never knew what they were going to give away. It was a really fun time and we had a blast.

Ms.R grabbed my camera from me to make sure I was in a couple of shots. We had so much fun.

Then we had to head back to the tasting room to pick up my Tassimo machine. Each entrant that won received a free Tassimo machine, complete with a bag full of different coffees and teas to try. And while we were there we spotted Nik, so I asked him if he wouldn’t mind posing with Ms.R for a photo for the blog. He obliged and we were quite thrilled.

Thank you Ms.R for coming with me and making it the best Saturday I have had in a very long time. It was wonderful to chat and visit without the kids demanding our attention. And thank you to Nik and Sarah for making it a fun event we loved it and hope to be invited to more of these great functions. Oh yes, and a special Thank you to Tassimo for making such a wonderful product. I must slow down today or I won’t be sleeping for a week. Yes, they are that good and I am that full of caffeine.

I have been making this Banana Bread since I was a young girl.  I would pull my Mom’s red and white battered Better Home’s and Gardens New Cook Book off the shelf and whip up a loaf.  For a few years when I didn’t have a stocked kitchen in which to bake I didn’t get the chance and I missed it.  Once I was in a stocked kitchen once again the first request I had from my Mom was a red and white cookbook of my very own.

She obliged and Hubby has been kept in Banana Bread ever since.  Well, he also didn’t tell me that it wasn’t his favourite until well into our lives together.  He finally had the courage to tell me.  How was I going to get him to eat Banana Bread?  Omit the nuts and lemon and add some chocolate and occasionally coconut.  And we were back in business again.

A girlfriend of mine is coming to spend the night tonight so I thought I would whip up a batch (a double batch, one to eat one to freeze) so we could have a little treat.

If you have a few minutes, because it only takes a few, whip up a loaf.  It’s a great way to trick your Hubby and the kids into eating something healthy, just add chocolate.

BeachMama’s Banana Bread (adapted from Better Homes and Gardens recipe):

1 1/2 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1 egg

3 medium bananas

3/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. cooking oil

1/2 c. chocolate chips (optional)

1/2 c. sweetened coconut (soaked in a bit of water for 10 min.  also optional)

1. Grease the bottom and sides of an 8x4x2 inch loaf pan; set aside.  Preheat oven to 350.

2. In a mixer or bowl with hand mixer add bananas, egg, sugar and oil mix until blended.  Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Blend just until mixed (batter should be lumpy).

3. Fold in chocolate chips and coconut if using.

4. Pour into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven (350F) for 50 – 55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Remove loaf from pan; finish cooling before slicing (if you can wait that long).

5. Enjoy!