Thursday, September 30, 2010

Pumpkin, Raisin and Pecan Bread




Just the smell alone is a good reason to make this bread.  I made two loaves this afternoon and thought I would share the recipe with you all.






Pumpkin, Raisin and Pecan Bread

1 can pumpkin this will yield about 2 cups
2 ripe bananas
4 large eggs
2/3 c. milk
1/2 c. oil
31/2 c. all purpose flour
3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground fresh nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup rum
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Spray 2 large loaf pans with non stick cooking spray. 

In a large bowl of mixer, combine pumpkin, banana, eggs, oil, milk and vanilla.

In a small bowl soak one cup of raisins in 1/4 cup rum.  Allow to sit for at least 15 minutes. 

In another large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.  Gradually add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, stirring until blended.  Add pecans and raisins with the rum now by folding in slowly.  Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.  Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  cool in pans on a wire rack 15 minutes.  Remove from pans, and cool completely on a wire rack.  You can make this bread without the nuts or the raisins  if preferred.

Perfect with a cup of coffee.  Enjoy!  If you try it please let me know what you think.

Carol-the gardener

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon - Hashtags (9/29/10) - Video - NBC.com

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon - Hashtags (9/29/10) - Video - NBC.com


I love Jimmy Fallon. Medley of Rap over the ages with JT. Enjoy! It's cute.

Carol-the gardener

No arms, No legs, no worries.

This one will...should really make you stop and think.  It did me.  You don't need hands to hold someones heart.  You are beautiful just the way you are.  Be patient.  Be thankful.  Look at what you CAN do.  Just some of the things I needed to hear and practice.  This guy is beautiful.



Carol-the gardener

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Wordless Wednesday






On Sunday I drove to Navarre Beach for the Sand Sculpting Festival/Competition.  Navarre Beach is about 30 minutes from our home.  While many of you are enjoying the changing of leaves, and cool breezes...here in Florida this is what our Fall looks like.  Here are a few photos from the day I wanted to share with you all.



Iguana Play in the Sand?


Leave Only Footprints


Roll Tide


Mother Ocean




Sand Babe


Alligator


Howl at the Moon


Navarre Fishing Pier


Lifeguard at Work


Seagulls


Rain is on the way


Puppy at Play




Roll Tide - Big Al

Yes, our sand is this white!

Life's a Beach!

Carol-the gardener


Monday, September 27, 2010

Tuesday Tunes



It isn't a secret to any of you I love music.  I love to join up with others that love music too.  Thank you http://www.firefliesandhummingbirds.net/ for hosting again this week.


Here is a shout out to some of you.  I read what you write and sometimes (most) I hear music.  Hope you enjoy them.

This one is for Kristin http://www.bringingprettyback.com/



This one is for Kyann Sanity if Overrated  I love her name.  How many people have you ever known named Kyann?  That's Hot right?




This one is for Shoes http://redshoeschronicles.blogspot.com/




This one is for Robin.http://yourdailydose-robin.blogspot.com/ and Shoes too.



the last one is for Kim http://savingmylife-kim.blogspot.com/




Set your life to music.  Dance as if no one is watching.  Play it too loud....everyday.
Godspeed....



Carol-the gardener

Top Two Tuesday

Just mention music and I have to play along.  My top two favorite songs right now.

1.  Something in the Way She Moves by James Taylor



2.  You and Me by Dave Matthews Band



Carol-the gardener

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Meet me on Monday



Meet me on Monday....again.  I wonder how much more of me you really want to know.  I'll do my best to anser this weeks questions from Java http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/.  Thank you Java for hosting again this week.  I have met lots of nice people here.


 Questions:




1. How many TV’s do you have in your home?

2. What is on your bedside table (nightstand)?

3. How many pair of shoes do you own?

4. Can you change a flat tire?

5. Do you prefer sweet treats or salty treats?

My answers: 

1.  How many TV's do you have in your home.



We have four TV's in our home.  Two are for viewing daily.  One is in the office/computer room and the other is in one of our guest rooms.  I remember when I only had one though and it was black and white and no remote people!

2.  What is on your bedside table?



A lamp, phone, reading glasses (sad but true) writing pad, pen, a candle, lip balm, lotion, eye drops and pictures.  An artist themed Dremscicle.  A gift from my children, given to me many years ago.  I can't believe I just took a picture of my bedside table and posted it.... I need a life! ha ha

3. How many pairs of shoes do you own?



I take the fifth.  I'm afraid the Hubz will read my answer.  Way too many.  Vague but answered.

4.  Can you change a flat tire?



NO WAY.  However, I can call AAA!  I know my limits but I can find a solution to my own problems, usually.

5.  Do you prefer sweet treats or salty treats?



Salty treats for sure. My favorite lately has been Orville Redenbacher's Natural Salt and Pepper popcorn with Parmesean cheese grated over top while hot! I told you I use those microplanes.  I'm not a huge sweets fan, probably a good thing.

That's it for me this week.  Hope you all have a great week.  Hope we meet a few friends.



Carol-the gardener

Bad Moon a Risin

On Friday night the moon was lovely.  A friends was over and she took this photo and you know me...the ole brain started to work and yep ... instant tunes.  Now this has been stuck in my head all day.  Ugh!








Happy Sunday!

Carol-the gardener

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Carol's Favorite Things******Second Post

I think every woman has to learn through the years what works and what doesn't for her and her home. I have things that I just so fall in love with. I want to share these items with you all and see if you have used them and if you love them as much as I do or would you consider using them. I am not getting compensated in anyway for this. These are things that work, or perform well out of a sea of others that I have used and been disappointed in. So without further delay here we go.......drum roll.........


1. My Microplanes!


I use these almost daily. I use them for lemon zest, orange zest, grating Parmesan cheese. They work great for grating ginger and nutmeg. I think they are a wonderful, inexpensive tool that brings a lot of possibilities to a cooks kitchen.

They can be found almost anywhere I just ordered some recently for a gift. I ordered them through Amazon.

A few different sizes placed in a basket with fresh french bread, a bottle of good Olive Oil, a few types of pasta, and a bottle of wine makes a wonderful housewarming gift.

They come in all different sizes as well as textures, medium grate, fine etc. They also have a killer box grater as well. They are most definitely one of my favorite things.

Next........

2. Lysol Wipes or Clorox Wipes


These are a must have for me.

I keep them under both bathroom sinks and under the kitchen sink as well. I'm pretty sure one container lives in my car too!

The room might have been just cleaned, but having grandchildren in and out of the house, touch ups are needed.
These make it so convenient to wipe up any mess on the counter, sticky soap, etc. and you know they have been disinfected as well.

If someone in your home is sick these are great to run over remotes, the telephone, or the computer key pad. Any frequently touched surface.

I wipe soda cans or any can before I open it ...you never know who has touched that can and what they had! Know what I mean?

They are one of my must must haves!

Both are very good and here at my supermarket they often put 2 for 1 sales on this product.

In the world we live in, I feel it is good to be prepared.

The Hubz says I should own stock in these. I am always buying extra and giving them away because I am so over the moon about them. My daughter is an RN and she swears by them too!

3. bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara

I have high standards with mascara. This product is doing it for me. I'm on my second tube. It goes on smooth and I think my eyelashes are fuller than they were.

I order mine through QVC at www.qvc.com and they have a package with two for a reasonable price.

You could keep one and put the other in a gift bag for your girlfriend along with some other goodies. Now who wouldn't like that.

I think you get two tubes for under 30 dollars there.

But they can be found at other high end Beauty Stores or on www.bareminerals.com also.

What a great stocking stuffer for your daughter or sister.

4. Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 body wash


You guys know I live in Florida. The sun,sand, salt water, chlorine...it all does a number on your skin.

I like this product. It isn't greasy and you can find it at Target. My skin on my legs didn't seem as dry as it was when I was using another product and it lathers well enough to shave with it also.

I think it will be nice for the dry skin in winter as well.

Nice clean scent.

Check it Out!

So I hope you will try a few of these and let me know how you like them. Or if you are currently using any of these let me know what you use them for and if you are as crazy about them as I am.



OK....until next time....these are some of my absolute favorites.

Carol-the gardener

Friday, September 24, 2010

Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday

I participated in Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday last week and found so many nice blog friends to follow there with great ideas.  I've been busy decorating inside this week for fall.  Out with the shells and in with the cozy colors for the fall/winter.







We start on the outside (actually Hubz does most of it) next week.  He won't consider it until October normally but I think the full moon has had an effect since he mentioned it to me recently.  He allows me to place flowers (mums) around here and there but that's about it.  He does a great job so those photos will be coming soon.

Happy Fall Ya'll!  Welcome to our fall home.


Hand Blown Glass Pumpkins





Raffia Pumpkins and green gourd.


Kitchen Table



Kitchen


Pottery on kitchen buffet

foyer table


foyer candle


Mr and Mrs Scarecrow

Spiced Pumpkin Soap from TJ Maxx

Copper Pumpkin


foyer table...my Memommie's sewing table


Kitty Tom...while I was busy decorating.

Guest bath...love the little crow.
 I hope you all have a great weekend.  Remember to hug someone you love way too tight.

Carol-the gardener