If your sister is away at school, it's only natural that you'll send her something fun to remember you by.

I mean, she's a four or five-hour plane ride away, while you have the privilege of seeing your parents and brother most evenings for dinner. You'd like her to have a taste of home in times of stress. But more importantly, she's having so much fun that you're afraid she might forget about you.

And this will simply not be tolerated!

If you love to bake, it's only natural that you'll send her something... baked. Furthermore, if you just so happen to have four of the sweetest, most aromatic ripe bananas on your fruit platter, you'll probably decide to bake her some banana bread. It's a good thing your sister enjoys banana bread more than most other foods she's tried.

This will work out perfectly, so it appears. You soon realize, however, that your sister dislikes anything to do with health. She assumes you eat only squirrel food. You recall her telling you on numerous occasions, Don't put lentils in my bread! You've never done this before, but you figure she means that you are not to add any healthy stuff to her baked goods. You vow to try your hardest, but you always like your family to be healthy and you acknowledge the struggle ahead of you. You strap on your apron like it's true battle garb, and you grip your wooden spoon with the hope that it guides you properly. You're determined to make the best banana bread to meet your sister's lips. You're ready to set forth on your journey, but first you invite everyone reading this to come along with you. It will be fun, I promise. Pick a sunny window and gather your ingredients:

And let's get started!

Begin with 1 1/2 cups of flour:

We're using 1 cup all-purpose and 1/2 cup whole-wheat because we want her to have some fiber in her life. But we're not going to tell her that. She won't even notice.

Here we are:

Next, add some baking soda and baking powder, one teaspoon each...

...and a pinch of salt.

Next, a touch of spice. Just the right amounts of cinnamon and nutmeg to add some liveliness and Fall flair, 1/2 teaspoon each:

This completes the dry ingredients. Gently whisk, and set aside.

Now, for the wet ingredients. Ladies and gentlemen, mash your bananas.

Scrape them into a medium-sized bowl and let them relax for a bit. You don't want to stress them out. I mean, they are the stars of the show.

In the meantime, get some butter- about 1/4 cup:

And melt it.

Add to the melted butter about 1/4 cup of good olive oil:

And two of these:

Watch it happen:

Whisk and whisk some more, then pour over the bananas you left in the medium-sized bowl.

Add to this new concoction some sugar and vanilla extract- 1/2 cup white, 1/2 cup brown, and 1 teaspoon extract:

Stir it thoroughly.

Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients, like so:

Add your wet ingredients, like so:

Then, remember that you wanted to add some chocolate chips. Your sister deserves it super much. Give her 3/4 cup of 'em.

When you're done stirring these in, and the batter has come together nicely, pour it into a greased and sugared loaf pan. It will look something like this:

Excellent work! Put it in a preheated oven!

This should be happening at 350 degrees. While you wait (it will be about 50-60 minutes), survey the scene:

I know you don't want to, but you should probably clean it up.

It's okay though, because after a while, you'll get to stare at this:

Creamy bananas, sweet milk chocolate, a touch of spice, the comfort of home.

You must wait for it to cool completely before playing with it. If you leave the house, make sure to leave a note too. Your dad and brother like to help themselves when you leave freshly-baked goodies lying around.

When the time has come, wrap your loaf in some parchment paper,

Seal it with a kiss,

Put it in a shoebox,

Add a silly note,

And send it along to the faraway land of Lexington, Kentucky.

You hope your package puts a smile on her face and a spring in her step. You hope that the warm and sweet scent meeting her nose when she opens it up will remind her of how well you two sometimes get along. You hope she remembers you then-

-just as much as she remembers you now:

I dedicate this post to you, my sis.

[Click HERE for the recipe in text format.]

P.S.- Thank you all so much for your support with my third PFB entry. It was both moving and inspirational, and I owe my advancement to you!