Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Banana Streusel Snack Cake and friends...

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines friendship as "...as distinctively personal relationship that is grounded in a concern on the part of each friend for the welfare of the other, for the other's sake, and that involves some degree of intimacy." The concept of comradeship has been on my mind for numerous months now. I have finally concluded that a wonderful friendship contains mutual caring, intimacy, and shared interests.

For me, mutual caring is the method that I use to say: “I love you”. While, I may not have the courage to tell one in person I try to make sure that the people I care about can feel it. I persistently try to give without ever expecting anything in return. Only when we offer without expectations can one truly enjoy the gift of honest camaraderie.

With certain people, friendship is instantaneously, like my friend K, E, and S. With You, I wanted to be your friend immediately. I found delight in the way you titled your head to the left with a crooked smile and giggled at my dumb jokes. That is why “I loved you”, but you also inspired me with your joys, successes, frustrations, and failures. I want to jump for joy when you are feeling bliss and hold your hand when you are sorrowful. Because I believe when life is disheartening and we can only feel our own misery is when our true friends come to our aid without asking.

Furthermore, it is during the arduous times that an intimacy develops between friends. You shared with me the difficulties of your life. My heart broke when you said all you wanted was “unconditional love”. Like a good ally, I promised you exactly that ...unconditional love. I am sorry that I failed you.

In the beginning of our friendship, I truly believed I was strong enough to weather any storms you had. I wanted to be your life preserver the way K, E, and S had been for me. You asked me not to let you go; but I did. Forgive me, for I was weak and let others influence me about you and I …regret it.

I will continue to believe in your ideas because you have promise and that is a beautiful quality in a friend. I will always remember lovingly how much you smiled when you talked about your dreams and aspirations. When you spoke, your eyes gleamed with happiness, as is if they could no longer contain the joy and pride you felt. I wish I could have captured that moment.

In addition, I should have disclosed to you that not only do we share a zeal for cooking; but also that we have the same family structure and up bringing. However, I was too scared to tell you. It is for those reasons that I do understand where you are coming from even if I cannot admit it aloud to myself.

In any case, I know you are strong enough and capable of overcoming any adversary because you are trained to do so. For I know that you have moved on, but I wanted you to know that you were right about everything concerning true friendship.

Finally, I baked this banana cake with you in mind. It is rich, buttery, and travels well. Should it need to trek many, many, many miles from here. It would be my pleasure to ship this cake anywhere ...just for you.

PRINT: BANANA SNACK CAKE

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

i love u

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

MISSED YOU!!!

Kalei's Best Friend said...

omg, this looks good!. i am going to have to try this!. thanks for posting.

video said...

J'ai faim!!!!!

Rachel said...

Eaten apple streusel but not this!!!

Rose said...

Oh goodness, this looks amazing. Lovely post, by the way. Life has a way of taking so many twists & turns, sometimes friendships alter without a moment to catch them.

The Style Mansion said...

This Banana Streusel cake looks super delicious!

Snooky doodle said...

This cake looks delicious! I missed you.

Visit my new blog at http://snookysrecipedoodles.blogspot.com/

Allison said...

This post on friendship is so sweet :) and that cake looks even sweeter!

Alicia said...

What a sweet message to a friend. I hope the friend calls and asks to have that banana cake mailed. I know I would, it looks fabulous!

Be Well and thanks for stopping by and commenting. Appreciate it much!

madhumakhi said...

I just love the way u've baked this cake keeping ur friend in mind

Katie said...

Very poignant and moving words Gigi. The banana cake looks wonderful, especially as it was baked with love

Gusmão said...

"While, I may not have the courage to tell one in person"... - Just say it, believe me. I had lost a friend and regret for never told how much I loved her. Now I say this to my friends that come "when life is disheartening and we can only feel our own misery". As you told "is when our true friends come to our aid without asking" - And we do the same =)
I'll be happy with your visit after my "Suspension" ends =)
Cheers!

Unknown said...

I love your site, thanks for all the great recipes!

Mimí said...

Gigi!!
welcome back.

Beautiful Post =) ...

Naea said...

Would you come live with me...?! Your blog is AMAZING! After reading it I don't even have a craving for chocolate anymore, it's just like I'm eating your cakes haha!

eatme_delicious said...

This looks amazing with those giant streusel pieces on top!

Little Candle said...

it looks yummy..... i'm never bored to see ur blog.. all about cake... i wish i can leave my works for a while n try all of ur recipe... cayoo....

kimberleyblue said...

banana breads are my fav - easy and versatile. this one looks like a keeper!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

gigi, i'm so glad to see your new posts--we've missed you! i do hope your friend reads this to know how you feel, and to know how much he or she is loved. i should bake this delicious cake for someone i love!

Caroline said...

Hello Gigi! I've missed you, I always look forward to reading your posts. This one is really touching, hope your friends felt the the same and give you a call.

SG said...

what a great, yummy blog! :)

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Lovely post. Friendship is ephemeral and not to be taken for granted.

Eliana said...

Your cake looks delicious. You did an awesome job with it.

Anonymous said...

did it work?

4evernite said...

My, what a beautiful post. It makes me want to be your friend and I don't even know you.

Linda said...

....you have been awarded ;)
http://linda-lostinswitzerland.blogspot.com/

xox
Linda
Lost in Switzerland

Jen said...

Thank you for your comment on my blog I really appreciate it. Your blog is very cool. You have some great pictures on here and good content.

Jen said...

Thank you for your comment on my blog I really appreciate it. Your blog is very cool. You have some great pictures on here and good content.

How To Eat A Cupcake said...

Glad to see you're back! I was beginning to worry! :D

Anonymous said...

Your cake looks delicious. I'm sorry about your friend. If I was the friend I would forgive you!

Palidor said...

The cake looks wonderful. I love when cake has a rich, buttery taste to it.

amer said...

Thank you so much for posting this recipe. It really was everything the title said
I think its nice recipe & yummy .I really liked it

Miss_Me said...

Ooh this has got to be the yummiest blog ever, I cant wait for the kids to sleep so that I can read more and hopefully find a recipe or 2, I love baking and the chai cake in particular has caught my attention.. is there any way i can follow ur blog other than subscribing?Keep it up.. regards from south africa...
http://arielsrefuge.blogspot.com

shanti said...

What a great looking cake, I can almost taste how sweet & yummy it must be. . .*
Thanks for posting!

cheers,
Shanti

http://www.mydreamsnow.com

megansavoy said...

i want some so badly

The Urban Hostess said...

I love your blog! I am a new blogger (totally into baking/cooking as well) and would love your feedback! I think Im going to have to start trying some of your recipes. They look amazing!

http://theurbanhostess.blogspot.com

*~Petra~* said...

Love your recipes! Thanks for sharing. :)

Tea said...

Thanks so much. I can't wait to try the recipe.

Tea said...

Hi again,

I was just looking at your profile and noticed that you liked the book "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" and I was curious. I read that book and really enjoyed it until the end. I found myself thinking...it didn't have to end that way. Just wondered what your thoughts were.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

just want u to know, that I made this cake..omg, I love it.. moist, and that stick of butta definitely adds to the texture of the cake!... Keeper for sure..