My mom couldn't read, my dad use to say when he married her she couldn't boil water, lol. So needless to say I was no cook myself. It's a wonder my kids survived me. I was determined though and ended up eventually perfecting some great cookies, banana bread that was a whole different story. My first try you could have knocked someone out cold with it, would have made a great football. (Those events could have been visa versa, can't quite remember) The second time I cut it open and the inside ran out...lol. Finally a friend of mine's mom gave me a recipe, she told me my problem was making to big of loafs so I bought a small loaf pan and finally achieved making a great banana bread. I make a great pumpkin bread also, those you can make using the larger pans and I can't get past a holiday without baking a couple loaves for everyone. Once I lost the recipe for it and asked around on a site that posted recipes and a lady found it for me, that 2/3's cup water you add slowly while mixing your wet and dry ingredients makes the loaf nice and moist. I just couldn't remember how much water to use.