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Iford Manor (Part 2)

(Continued from Part 1) ... I knew that Iford Manor was my kind of garden when I saw the statue of "Dying Gaul" perched on top of a wall. We can't afford one for our garden but we do have a little version inside the house - The garden continues uphill with areas that are naturalized as well as manicured  -  A very theatrical area with some of the statuary from Peto's travels - Peto loved curved benches. In addition to Italian gardens, he was influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement. Some think that his love of curved benches came from the paintings of Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Some copies of his works were found in Peto's files - "Expectations" by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema Small buildings also dotted the landscape - The largest building was the cloister which housed more of his classical treasures - There is even a Japanese garden - Various pathways and woodland trails led to a road above the gardens. This set of stairs was roped off, but there were more ...
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Chocolate Banana Bread



More chocolate (can you tell I love it?) This one comes from AllRecipes.com. This is a good way to wreck your diet!

Chocolate Banana Bread

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 6 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar and eggs. Stir in bananas and vanilla. Sift in flour, baking soda and cocoa; mix well. Blend in sour cream and chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pans.
  3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of a loaf comes out clean.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. DDecember 22, 2010 at 4:54 PM

    Good looking goodies, Phillip, this and the yule log. We love anything chocolate! all I have to do is look at it and I gain. ;) I shall have to try at least one of them.

    I wanted to be sure to wish you and your family a joyous and blessed Christmas, and say thank you for sharing in this past year.

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  2. EveDecember 22, 2010 at 7:21 PM

    OH MAN!!!
    I'm going to have to try this one!

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  3. serial tillerDecember 22, 2010 at 7:46 PM

    Phillip...you must stop posting all this food! I have gained 5# just from reading your recipes! LOL Have a great Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  4. meemsnycDecember 22, 2010 at 9:31 PM

    Oooh, I love banana bread! And with chocolate, yummy goodness.

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  5. still goodDecember 23, 2010 at 6:10 AM

    What a beautiful photograph!!!!!!!!!!!

    I'm going to the kitchen now to make your chocolate mint cookies for Todd's b'day!!!

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  6. still goodDecember 23, 2010 at 6:14 AM

    that last post was from me (rebecca).

    ReplyDelete
  7. KellyDecember 23, 2010 at 10:39 AM

    I made this and it is AWESOME! Thanks Mr. Therapy!

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  8. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)December 24, 2010 at 12:34 AM

    Merry Christmas!

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  9. scottweberpdxDecember 24, 2010 at 11:57 AM

    mmmmmm...you had me at "chocolate"

    ReplyDelete
  10. compost in my shoeDecember 25, 2010 at 6:25 AM

    Diet, what is that about.......looks yummy!!

    ReplyDelete

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