Banana Nut Bread and Coconut Cupcakes

Hey ya'll! Don't these cupcakes look tasty? They were...trust me. It has been awhile, friends. I feel like I have been MIA from the blog world for so long! I apologize for my disappearing act, things have just been pretty crazy lately. Work ended, job searching, entertaining guests, etc.


Let me just give a quick "hallelujah!" that my first school year is over and I am currently enjoying my long over due summer break. I won't lie, I miss my students a whole lot, but the break was much needed. I am sad to see them go, but proud to know they are moving on to Kindergarten. I am ready to move on and start a new path within my career. Which brings me to another topic, the fun task of finding a job back in my hometown (Tampa).


I seem to have the worst luck with teacher interviews and job prospects. Every interview I get hours away from where I want to live goes great, while every job prospect in the Tampa area seems to end before it even begins. I had a great interview two days ago - was basically given a job making significantly more money (helps when planning a wedding.) The problem? Oh, it is only 2 hours from home - even further than I am now. Not to mention, it is extremely far from Ryan's family. But, I can't really afford to be picky at this point. Ryan and I are paying for our wedding ourselves, so the extra cash would help immensely. Needless to say, I may end up having to move even further from home for a better paying job, as much as I don't want too. There is one positive element to this, the location is VERY close to Disney World! And that is the only positive thing I can seem to drudge up at the moment. 


I've had 2 interviews in the Tampa area. Allow me to elaborate on how those went:


Interview One - I arrive to the interview and find out it will be conducted as a "speed date," only the interview version. Over an hour drive + a 3 hour wait for a 15 minute interview in which the minute I mentioned only having a year of teaching experience was dismissed. I'm pretty sure my resume presented this information. Was the gas, mileage and time wasted really necessary? Nevertheless, I put on my big girl pants and took it as interview practice. Keeping the faith, what else can you do?


Interview Two - Beautiful school, in the perfect area. I was feeling positive...that is, until I walked into the office and saw 5 girls (dressed in full suits for a first grade teaching position interview) Mind you, I was wearing a polka dot dress, black leggings, a black mini-jacket thing, and heels. Oh, and this was at 2:30 pm, the last round of interviews. If there were 6 girls interviewing at the end of the day, imagine how many people were interviewed for that one position. Maybe I am wrong here, but is a suit really necessary for a primary aged teaching position interview? I get the whole looking professional thing, but I really feel that a suit is not who I am - especially me as a teacher. Ryan told me he thinks my personality should shine through in all aspects, clothing included. However, I am now wondering if a straight jacket suit would better my odds of finding a job. Anyway, this interview went pretty well. I think I was liked, but not seen as being the right person for the job. She ended our interview with "good luck with your future endeavors". Otherwise known as - sorry lady, no job for you. 


I have another job interview on Tuesday, minutes from my daddy's house. I am praying, hoping and wishing this comes through for me. I have a few other schools that may possibly interview me. Not to mention, the Florida teacher interview day. Tons of county's are present and interview candidates all day. I am doing my best to stay positive, although it gets tough after while. 


On a happy note, I am the best fiance ever! No, really. I gave Ryan the best early birthday surprise ever. I flew his best friend Ray here from Michigan and we surprised Ryan at the airport! Ryan hadn't seen Ray in almost 3 years, so I thought it was the one gift I could give him that would be better than anything else possibly could be. Besides, I was really wanting to meet the best man of our wedding! Ryan thought we were going to the airport to pick my brother up (I really nailed this whole keeping a surprise thing, by the way.) Little did he know, his best friend was getting off a plane with his lovely girlfriend to spend a few days with us! After only minutes with them together, I saw why these two crazy boys got along so well. Literally, like twins personality wise. Aren't they cute bffs? lol

I loved seeing Ryan having such a great time, and Ray's girlfriend Jinsy and I were like two peas in a pod, so it worked out well for me too! Loved them, loved playing hostess and loved seeing the smile on Ryan's face. I can't wait to get them back here in December and to go visit sometime up in Michigan.


On that note...cupcakes anyone?!

I decided to put a twist on my Banana Nut Bread cupcake and throw in some coconut. I LOVE coconut...it breaks almost even with chocolate on the love scale. Put the two together and I can't control myself, for reals. I also decided to top the cupcake with a brown sugar streusel topping, which will be permanent addition - yum! 

I'm sad to say that I won't be giving out this recipe. Sorry friends, feel free to hate me hard for this one. In my defense, I am wanting to open a cupcake bakery in the near future. If I give all of my cupcake recipes away, I don't think I will have much intrigue left for my product. Besides, this recipe was adapted from my great, great grandmother and I have relatives that would kill me if I gave it away via the internet. Email me, and we may be able to work something out ;)

I will tell you this - find a banana bread or cupcake recipe that uses mayo in it. Trust me, when it is mixed with banana you have a cake that will stay moist for days. Really, you can use your favorite banana cupcake or banana nut bread recipe for these and create the same concept. Also, toast your coconut and pecans for better taste before you put them in your batter (Yes, I put both in mine.) Coconut cream cheese frosting is relatively easy. I do some serious tweaking to mine, but if you find a basic cream cheese frosting recipe and add some coconut extract I'm sure yours will taste delicious! 

I adore this picture. It looks like the cupcakes are beaming in heaven or something - which is where I feel I am at when I eat them!