Banana Butterscotch Pound Cake

Good Tuesday morning!

Before we start with the recipe, I wanted to share something I read that has helped me in the daunting task of raising teenagers. First of all, I am a kid person. In saying that, let me clarify that I am a "little" kid person. Ages newborn to five is where I shine. I knew as I had my children that one day they would probably become teenagers, but I was in denial for a very long, long time. But here it is. It can no longer be ignored. At 17, 15 and 12, my kids do not want me to serve their friends edible play dough or play hide and seek or make forts with blankets, pillows and chairs. So I have had to face facts and grow up.

I had someone say to me once, "I would rather be in a room with 100 teenagers than a newborn baby." I could not even comprehend what she was thinking. I would rather be in a room with 100 five year-olds than... well, anybody. I know what to do and how to do it with that age group.

I went to school to become a teacher and got a B.S. degree in early childhood. At that time, you had the choice of getting a diploma for Kindergarten through 3rd grade... and for me, 3rd grade was pushing it! I student taught first grade, and I was where I was supposed to be. Sweet, sweet kids who thought I hung the moon. No eye rolling. No heavy sighing. No turning crimson because I came in the room wearing Halloween socks. (Actually, visible excitement when I came in the room wearing Halloween socks!)

But I wanted to experience AND enjoy every aspect of my kids... not just newborn to five. So I had to adjust.

One of the things that has been hardest for me, but I think has paid off the most, is to "Just say yes." I've read so many books I couldn't remember which book I had seen the phrase, but a friend told me when we were talking that she had read the same thing about saying "Yes" to teenagers in a James Dobson book. I believe that. It sounds very wise and sound... just like James Dobson. I took it to heart, and started thinking before speaking and when one of the kids would ask me something, I would stop and think. Will this hurt them? Is there really any reason other than I don't want to take the time to deny them this request? Nine times out of ten the answer was "No!" When Austin would come into the kitchen while I was fixing supper and ask for a quick 15-minute driving lesson around the neighborhood, my first instinct was to say, "No. I'm cooking supper." But then I would stop and think. Were we in a hurry to eat that night? No. Was the meal I was preparing so difficult that it needed my undivided attention for the next 15 minutes, or could I simply turn off the stove for a few minutes and come back to it a little later? Yes. Did the other kids have somewhere they had to go... did I? No.

So when Austin would ask the question, after much rewiring of my brain, I would respond with, "Sure, why not?" and off we would go.

When Josh would ask if he could have a friend spend the night spur of the moment (we've talked about how spontaneous I'm NOT), I would stop and think. Does the house have to be perfect for a ten year-old boy to come over and spend the night? No. Do I have to have a seven-course meal to feed him to make him happy? No. Is he going to talk to anyone about the house or the food when he leaves? No... he's a ten year-old boy. He's going to be thrilled to have pizza, Cokes and slice and bake cookies. Then I would respond with, "Sure, why not?" and we would invite him over.

"Mom, do you mind if I have a different shampoo than what you use?" Roxie would ask. I could easily say no, but the other shampoo was only $.40 more and every time I say, "Yes," I am saving up for the time Mike and I absolutely HAVE to say, "No."

Are my kids perfect? Uh, NO. Do they ever fuss, fight, talk back, roll their eyes WAY in the back of their heads, stomp their feet, slam doors, pout, etc., etc., etc.? Uh, YES... sometimes. They're teenagers... that's their job! But I will say when it comes to some of the harder questions, when Mike and I have had to say "No," because of all the "Yes" answers we've been able to give, it has made it easier for them to take. We have found we don't argue about our answers regarding the "big" stuff.

Roxie and I were in a changing room a year ago trying on clothes. She loves to try on clothes, and we weren't agreeing on everything, but we still had a lot to put on. In the next stall, a young lady told her mother, "I am going to get this, too!" The mother told her it wasn't decent, and she was not going to pay for the item. The young lady then told her mother, "Fine. I'll buy it with my own money!" And she stomped out of the stall. Roxie and I peeked out our door, and Roxie whispered, "She's my age."

Instead of saying what I wanted to say ("If you EVER talk to me like that, it will the last time you go shopping until you're 21!"), I asked her what she thought. "Well, just because she used her money doesn't mean it's decent. And she shouldn't have yelled at her Mother like that." We made a deal then and there regarding our shopping together. There would be times I wouldn't like what she picked out. There would be times she would not like what I picked out. But in that entire store, there had to be something we both liked... and that's what we would look for. Has communication ever broken down in the dressing room stall with Miss Roxie and me? Yes. But have we tried to remind ourselves about our "deal?" Yes. So far, so good. (I know, I know. She's just 12... we have a loooong way to go.)

I guess what I'm trying to say is Mike and I are not perfect teenage parents. I wish we were. I know parents who are definitely "teenager" people, and they are so much more natural with this age group than I am. I envy them, and admire them. But what I read in the book was good advice, so I'm passing it on to other parents who may be dealing with teens right now, too. Saying "no" is easy. Saying "yes" is a lot harder. But right now (17, 15 and 12), it has been worth it! Our kids are a work in progress, and we don't know how they'll turn out, but every little bit of sound advice helps, doesn't it? (That, and a ton of prayer!)

Now, on to something I know will turn out all right. I've made the cake 12 times, and so far so good.

Banana Butterscotch Pound Cake

If you are not a banana or a butterscotch or even a pound cake kind of person, I can tell you right now you will NOT like this cake. However, if you like these three things, this is the cake for you. I got the recipe off the back of a Nestle Butterscotch Morsel bag and it is wonderful. Oh, and like I said in an earlier post, it's pretty orange so Thanksgiving is the perfect time to serve it to family and friends.

You will need the following:

1 package (11 oz.) Nestle Toll House Butterscotch Flavored Morsels, divided
1 package yellow cake mix
4 large eggs
3/4 cup (2 medium) mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 10-cup Bundt or round tube pan.

2. Microwave 1 1/3 cups morsels in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.

3. Combine cake mix, eggs, bananas, vegetable oil, water and sugar in large mixer bowl. Beat on low speed until moistened. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Stir 2 cups batter into melted morsels.

4. Alternately spoon batters into prepared baking pan.

5. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in cake comes out clean. Cool in pan for 20 minutes.

6. Place remaining morsels in small, heavy-duty plastic bag. Microwave on MEDIUM-HIGH power for 30 seconds; knead. Microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle over cake.

7. NOTE: I usually don't drizzle the butterscotch. I lightly sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar. It is quicker and the cake is super moist and sweet without the drizzle. Either way, it's good. I've made it several times, and it doesn't sink or lose its shape. It is a very pretty, presentable pound cake.

Tomorrow's Seasonal Tradition takes place in the kitchen... and out in the neighborhood. You can do it any time between now and next Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), and it will be something special and selfless you can do with your kids.

I hope you have a great day, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.