Use Your Words: If a Tree Branch Falls

Today’s post is a monthly writing challenge. If you’re new here, this is how it works: participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once. All of the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, here’s a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who got their words and in what direction the recipient will take them. Until now.

At the end of this post you’ll find links to the other blogs featuring this challenge. Check them all out, see what words they got and how they used them.
I’m using: waffles ~ bacon ~ eggs ~ storm ~ tree branch ~ debit card

They were submitted by Sarah of The Momisodes.

As I sit here having a lovely breakfast of waffles, bacon, and eggs (OK, you got me, it's actually just a cup of coffee), thinking about the impact of this coming storm on that tree branch inching ever closer to my humble abode, I can't help but wonder if I have enough of a balance on my debit card to rebuild the back of my house. I'm thinking probably not.

But if this tree falls in from the woods? I bet I'll hear it. And see it. And feel it.

It's actually pretty funny that one of my assigned words is waffles, because I published a post about them yesterday. I was invited, in celebration of National Waffle Week (yeah, that actually is a thing) to join a large group of bloggers each coming up with unique waffle recipes. My contribution was an interpretation of chicken and waffles: Mac and Cheese Waffles with Honey Bunches Chicken. My family loved this dinner. Even though I added a nod to breakfast by making the Mac and Cheese into a waffle and even adding bacon bits to the ingredients, for us this was a dinner.

 Mac and Cheese Waffles with Honey Bunches Chicken

Next thing you know, the boys were asking for waffles for breakfast. Honestly, I love waffles, but the waffle iron tends to be messy to work with so I don't take it out often. In fact, by the time I'm done my kitchen looks like a storm passed through. Yes, I'm talking about a tornado, dumping egg shells, grease, globs of half cooked batter, dirty bowls and every utensil I own onto my kitchen counters. If I had found a tree branch or even a Yugo under that mess I would not have been surprised.

Two days in a row of that? Not sure I was up for the mess so I offered eggs. Fried? Scrambled? Omelet? No, they wanted waffles.

Desperate, I offered to send them out to breakfast. Even said I'd let them take my debit card. What was I thinking?

But they were hungry, weren't yet showered and so they issued me a challenge. Could I develop two completely different waffle recipes two days in a row?

Did you say challenge?

Those damn boys, they've got my number.

So, mess or not, I did come up with another unique waffle recipe. And damn, I have to tell you, even I admit that it was well worth the clean up.

Banana Bread Waffles with Cinnamon Banana Gaze 

That waffle iron better get ready. I foresee many more work-outs in its future.

Links to the other Use Your Words posts:

Spatulas on Parade

The Momisodes
The Bergham's Life Chronicles

Stacy Sews and Schools

Sparkly Poetic Weirdo 
 Southern Belle Charm
 The Diary of an Alzheimer's Caregiver
 Dinosaur Superhero Mommy
 The Angrivated Mom
 Confessions of a part time working mom
Someone Else's Genius 
Climaxed 
Evil Joy Speaks 
Never Ever Give Up Hope 
Eileen's Perpetually Busy 
Searching for Sanity 

Banana Bread Waffles with Cinnamon Banana Glaze

                                                                        ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
3 small or 2 large overripe bananas
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
1 stick butter
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt 
2/3 cup cinnamon baking chips

3/4 stick butter
3 TBSP brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 - 2 ripe bananas
maple syrup

Directions (makes about 5):
*Melt 1 stick of butter and set aside to cool a bit.
*In a bowl, mash the over ripe bananas. Whisk in the eggs, vanilla, sour cream and melted butter.
*Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon and salt.
*Add the dry mixture to the the bowl and mix just until incorporated. Don't over mix.
*Heat your waffle iron. When hot, scoop 3/4 cup of the batter into the center. Close gently and allow to cook. When the waffle iron indicates it's done, check and if it's not yet a deep golden brown, allow to cook another minute before removing to a plate. Repeat with the rest of the batter.
*While the waffles are cooking, melt 3/4 stick of butter in a saucepan on medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. *Slice the remaining banana into the pan. Allow to come to a boil and boil for one minute. While boiling, stir gently so the bananas are covered with the glaze but be careful not to break up the bananas.
*Serve waffles topped with the banana glaze and drizzle with maple syrup.