Dehydrating

I looooove dehydrated bananas. They are so flipping delicious and when we have some, I absolutely can't stop eating them. Recently, I managed to score a pile of blackening bananas and borrowed my friends dehydrator to do them. SO much deliciousness to be had.

They are so easy to make, you just have to slice them in 2 or three longways and then place them on the racks, then put them on 55 degrees for 14 or so hours. Overnight is best so you can check them in the morning to make sure they won't end up crispy. Growing up mum would make these occasionally, she had the same dehydrator and all! (From what she says they had a church welfare fair in the 90's and someone had a stall there selling them, so lots of church members have the same one.) As an adult I've been lucky enough to get some from her as well when she's managed to get her hands on enough bananas to do a batch.

Sure enough they came out excellent as usual and I was very happy to have this little batch to myself as no one else in my house seemed excited about them. More for me!

I also tried doing some pear pieces, but although the internet says they don't need to be peeled first, I very much disagree. They were not very good. I'll be trying them as entire halves, not slices and peeled next time. 

Stay tuned for more adventures with the dehydrator!

felt banner hack

disclaimer to begin - i in no way own this picture, total possession belongs to homely creatures. i simply have a friend who upon seeing this banner featured in a competition on instagram fell in love, but was a bit short on cash, so i decided to make my own version - for her.  i think it's a cute idea and all credit to them for the inspiration, in fact if you want your own, please go and buy one here! they are a very reasonable price for how much work goes into them... but if you too are a little short on cash, feel free to follow my instructions and diy!

you will need - half a metre of felt on the roll, available from all large craft/sewing stores (i went to lincraft) most places will measure slightly larger than the 50cm so that you definitely get the amount you've asked for, so mine wound up being about 30cms wide. i simply folded the piece into 4 and then cut into pieces, then evened up the edges with my scissors also.

grab a piece of chalk and start drawing the outline of your letters onto the felt. they don't look even? not a worry - as you can see from the original, not all letters are the same size and are slightly higgledy piggledy. once you are happy with your outlines, grab your sewing scissors, poke into the felt and cut around each letter, then use a dampened cloth to wipe off any excess.

i've then made a slight hem at the top and pushed through some wire, to make sure the felt doesn't sag and just sewn a straight line across the bottom for the same reason. to hang, add a piece of coloured string (poke a hole and thread through) or use 3m strips if you're renting (thus the lack of string on all the ones pictured!)

i am very much hoping that they are enjoyed by the two little men they are off to... but this is the beauty of the internet. like something you see? make your own version! all it takes is a little inspiration and makeshift materials and you're well on your way to having your own! now off you go and make your own.