Grandma's Pumpkin Bread

Recently I have been trying to bake some of the recipes from my grandmother.   She sent this one in the mail to me last month and it came out pretty good with a few changes.  The recipe was given to her from a long time childhood friend, Catherine who passed away last fall.   She told me they had been best friends since Bible School.   My grandmother is now in her 80's. 

Grandma's Pumpkin Bread (Makes two loaves)

1 can Pumpkin (plain, not pie filling)  16 oz can.
1 cup oil (I used 1/2 cup oil & 1/2 cup of apple sauce)
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, beaten
2/3 cups water
3.5 cups flour (I used 3 cups of flour and 1/2 cup of wheat germ)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Raisins, choc chips and nuts optional

Combine sugar, oil, and eggs.  Stir in pumpkin, water and remaining ingredients.  Pour into 2 greased loaf pans.  Bake 1 hour at 350.

Once again, my sous chef Olivia.  So helpful....................

There is nothing like hot bread right out of the oven with melting butter!

Vintage Dresses!

My mother recently gave me these dresses that I wore when I was young.   I thought I would display them in my 2 year olds room instead of just storing them away.  This also got me thinking...........  what dresses/outfits should I be storing away to pass down to my two girls when they are mothers??

I must have been about age 4?

This should fit Olivia for Easter this year!

This was given to me by my mother in law.  My husband wore this outfit when he was little.  She also passed down the really cool pink cat hangers.

Rick Charette Rocks!

Abby and I attended the Rick Charette Concert this past weekend and it rocked!   He sang all the favorites- Alligator in the Elevator, I love Mud and Bubblegum.   Now, let me just say that I remember seeing Rick when I was a child (back then he was playing campgrounds like Acadia National Park), but this 50 something (guessing his age) was full of energy and  had the whole crowd dancing on their feet!  Abby had a wonderful time and we jammed to one of Rick's CD's on the way home.

There is Al the Alligator- he must be pushing 50 too!

Homemade Granola!

 I saw this recipe in Country Living magazine for homemade granola.   Super easy and the girls had a ball making it.  So good over yogurt! 

This was a half batch.

Ingredients


1 container(s) (18-ounce) old-fashioned oats (6 cups)

8 ounce(s) sliced almonds

1 cup(s) dried cranberries

1 cup(s) chopped dried apricots

1 cup(s) light-brown sugar

1 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon(s) salt

1 1/2 stick(s) unsalted butter

1/2 cup(s) honey

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Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss together all ingredients except butter and honey.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter. Stir in honey. Pour over oat mixture and toss to distribute. Spread granola onto a parchment lined baking pan and bake, stirring occasionally, until oats are toasted and sugar begins to caramelize, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely on pan. Transfer to an airtight container

Nothing else out there will look like this one!

This purse is one of a kind and hand made by my mom.  I love it and thought I would share.  Happy Friday!

Doubles as snack bag, diaper bag, purse etc. 

The reveal!

Abby's room is done! 

I will let the before and after pics do the talking!!

This was her room on the day we moved in.   Leftovers from the previous owners.

Artwork from my friend at Good Gravy!

The book sling!

My husband did a great job adding more storage, hooks and hangers for the closet.

Artwork from my friend at Barefoot by the Sea

Leftover Bananas

I love left over rotting bananas and this is my favorite recipe to use them up!  The yogurt makes the bread so moist and not a lot of extra fat or calories.

I always cut the bread in the middle.  Mostly because that is the piece the girls like the most and it also drives my husband nuts.  I mean it really bothers him and I made a promise to his younger sister that everyday for the rest of his life I would torture him on her behalf.  I think I am really doing a good job too!

Here is the recipe from Penzey's Spices:

Ingredients

2 cups unbleached flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup walnuts (optional) or pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)

3/4 cup mini chocolate chip (optional)

1 1/2 cups bananas, very ripe and well mashed (3 bananas)

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 325°F Grease a large 9x5 loaf pan and set aside.

2.  Stir the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, nuts and chocolate chips together in a large bowl and set aside.

3.  In a medium bowl, mix the mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter and vanilla together.

4.  Lightly fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined and the batter looks thick and chunky.

5.  Spoon the batter into the loaf pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.

6.  Bake at 325°F until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 70-75 minutes.

7.  Cool in the pan for about 5 minutes and then turn out and let cool on a wire rack.