Pumpkin Spice Bread Recipe

pumpkinteapotTemperatures in our area went down into the 40’s last night!

Autumn is definitely knocking on the door.

I must admit that I am so looking forward to baking again, though!

During the heat of summer, I avoid the oven if at all possible. No sense in adding fuel to the fire, so to speak. Now, with the cooler weather, it will be fun to make some new recipes as well as the old favorites! Here’s one you might enjoy. 🙂

Pumpkin Spice Bread (Makes 3 Mini Loaves)

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup canned pumpkin (or 1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin)
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Cinnamon Sugar Glaze (below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease the bottoms of 3 miniature (5-inch by 3-inch) loaf pans.

In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. In a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin, eggs, oil and water until well combined. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Stir in raisins. Divide batter into prepared pans.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Cool completely. Drizzle with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze. Makes 3 miniature loaves.

Cinnamon Sugar Glaze

1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and 1 tablespoon milk. Stir in more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until of drizzling consistency.

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Shop ’til We Drop – Friday Favorites

For this week’s Friday Favorites, let’s go shopping! 🙂

C’mon, we can all squeeze into the car.

Oh wait . . . not enough seat belts!

Ok, well then grab the mouse. We’ll do it online! 😀

Autumn Pumpkins Pillow

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Painting with fabric . . . Here’s a gorgeous example of how a home accessory can truly be a work of art. Wool pumpkins have been hand pieced and applied with a blanket stitch to soft 100% wool fabric. Hand embroidered with a variety of stitches that include: Moss stitch, Spider web, Filling stitch, French knots, Raised chain band, Couching and Fly stitch. The Pillow edge is trimmed using a glass beaded blanket stitch. From ThreeSheepStudio

“Illuminated Jack-O-Lanterns”

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Wouldn’t this print be just the thing to display near your doorway to welcome any ghosts or goblins this season? The scene is a pumpkin patch with a row of jack-o-lanterns that appear to be glowing amidst fallen leaves. Bare trees & foliage are silhouetted against the eerie night sky…
GICLEE PRINT of the artist’s original (which was painted in acrylic on canvas). From villagefolkart

Candy Corn Pendant

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Adorable, yes? It will be a trick to keep this treat away from friends and family who will want to “borrow” it! 😉 This is a fused art glass pendant which was designed, cut, fused, and annealed by the artist in her home studio.
From jochris12

Autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Gift Tags!

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Whether you use them as gift tags, or to accompany home baked treats, or for writing a little love note to tuck into a lunchbox, this sweet set of tags will add cheer from now through Thanksgiving! Set of 4 hand stamped and painted pumpkin tags. Made on high quality card stock.
From frenchcountry

jugdaisyHope you enjoyed today’s shopping trip!!

Next time we’ll rent a bus, ok? lol

Have a super duper weekend, everyone!

I’ll see you on Monday with a new giveaway and new questions. 🙂

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Deck the Hall . . . with Fall!

autumnLately, I’ve been receiving some great suggestions for future blog topics and I’d like to thank all of you for your input!

Today’s topic comes from Cindi, who says:

“I love the upcoming holiday season from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas. I would enjoy ‘decorating for the holiday’ posts.”

Thanks, Cindi! You’ve really got me thinking.

How about if we start with autumn in general, and then work our way through all of the holidays as the weeks go by?

My usual “go to” spot for all things beautiful is etsy, so I took on the role of “personal shopper” and discovered some wonderful items for your perusal! They’re perfect for welcoming the season. 😀

7 Beautiful Fall Leaves

fall-leaves
Just look at the gorgeous colors on these autumn leaves! Made from beautiful fall colored fabrics and lined with natural quilt batting, their veins are machine stitched with a brown thread. Imagine all the pretty things you can do with them! Use one to decorate each place setting on your table, or arrange them in a crock for a centerpiece, or scatter them on a table top for a look that’s both casual and elegant at the same time!
Size: About 5″ wide to about 6″ tall.
From homespunannie

Fall Harvest Tote

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This gorgeous Tote Bag features fabric with pumpkins, autumn leaves, & tossed acorns! There are two lined pockets on the inside of the bag, and a tab style closure with a cute green leaf button for the perfect finishing touch!
SIZE: 14”W x 9”H x 4”D. From southernstitches4855

Reversible Table Runner
Autumn Leaves / Winter Red Poinsettias

reversible-runner
Now this is a great idea! Perfect to spruce up your table from September until January! The fall side has leaves, nuts and berries that have gold accents. The winter side has darker red poinsettias, also with gold accents. Size: 11 ½” x 41”. From ksewingbasket

Flower-Filled Pumpkin Pin

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Time to break out that Fall blazer! And what’s the perfect touch to wear on your lapel? Why it’s a gorgeous pin created by the extraordinarily talented Beedeebabee, of course!!!

This 100% wool felt pin measures 2 1/2? across. It’s made completely by hand! Onto a solid black background, Paulette has added an adorable layered pumpkin that’s embellished with tiny flowers and leaves. Everything is embroidered and some pretty beads were added for a bit of sparkle.

If you purchase this pin from Beedeebabee, be prepared for everyone to want it! You probably shouldn’t let it out of your sight for any length of time. Just sayin’ 😉

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Autumn Resolutions

autumnLabor Day is fast approaching and bringing with it the unofficial end of summer.

Although we usually make resolutions on January 1st, it seems to me that whenever the seasons change, there’s an opportunity to regroup a little, make plans, strive for more balance, and remind ourselves to live in the moment.

I came across a list that I think could be the perfect formula for “autumn resolutions”. There are definitely a few gems in this bunch! 😀

Which one do you like best?

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

Try to make at least three people smile each day.

Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid.

Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. – Appreciate their genuine nature, strength, and innocence.

Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

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Window Shopping

Hey Kids! It’s been a while since we went shopping together. So c’mon! Let’s take a peek at a few goodies that are currently available on etsy.

Ready? 🙂 Here we go . . .

Need a gift for someone allergic to flowers?

crochetedviolets

This could be the answer. A unique and tiny crocheted ”tweed” basket stands about 4.5″ tall. It’s made with a plastic cup, weighted for balance, and arranged with crocheted violets in light purple and medium purple with beaded centers. From etsy artist, crochetbouquet

How about new home decor for Autumn?

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Here’s a pretty Pumpkin and Leaf Candle Mat to show off a special vase or candle. It measures approximately 8″ x 15″, and is made of wool/rayon blended felt with 100% cotton backing. Machine appliquéd with a pumpkin leaf motif. Accented with wooden buttons and beads that actually look like nuts. From etsy artist, byEmilie11.

Talk about cute!

cellpurse

Here’s a darling little fuchsia macramé Cell Phone Bag.
Sweet and colorful with a long carrying strap. Hang from your shoulder or throw it over your head. Perfect for adults, big girls and little girls. Purse measures 5 1/2″ H, 5 1/2″ L and 1″ W. Strap measures 46″. Large enough for cell or iPod and other small items. From etsy artist, JustKnots.

I can never resist the pottery. Just look at this beauty!

icevase

The “Ice Cylinder Vase” is hand painted in ice blue and ivory. Hand etched with a black eyed susan and a graphic rectangle. Absolutely stunning! From etsy artist, oneblackbird.

Well, I’m out of money after all those purchases.

Just kidding!!! We were only window shopping . . .

at least for now! 😉

Thanks for your company. Let’s do it again soon, ok? 😀

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