Follow me on Friday

One of the guilty pleasures I afford myself......Fresh flowers for my table.  I'd rather have flowers now than when I die.

I hope you all have a great weekend.  Thank you to Java and Roz for hosting. 

Be kind to one another.  Take a little time to smell the flowers.

Carol-the gardener

New Wreath for the door!

A new ribbon, some sprigs of strawberries, and TA DA....a new wreath for the front door!! I admit...I'm a little bit obsessive about having something on my front door.  I have a ton of grapevine wreaths and I love to save them, and recycle.  I find the best way to do this is strip all the old stuff off and wash it down with the garden hose.  Let it dry in the sunshine and then the possibilities are endless.  So many pretty ribbons and flowers, and shells, and feathers....what ever your heart desires.  I recently found some pretty butterflies, ladybugs and bumble bees too.  You can do almost anything with a glue gun and some floral wire and tape.

I used to own a craft store many years ago and that is where my love for ribbons and wreaths were developed.  I find for a large bow you need a good 4 yards or more of ribbon.  Depending on the size of the wreath.  I'll have to do a video one day of how to tie a bow.  I used to teach people all the time...it is a skill that comes in quite handy.  The ribbon above is a vintage ribbon and it is hard to appreciate from this photo...but it's sweet.  I wanted something rather simple because I go over the top for Easter.

What's on your front door?  How often do you change your wreaths?

Now I can start planning one for spring and Easter!  That should be fun!

Remember to be kind to one another.  Hug someone you love.  You never know when one hug might be the last one.  Have a great weekend!

Carol-the gardener

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