My Take...on One of My Favorites

When I was little, my abuelita would always make pumpkin  bread. For Thanksgiving. It's so yummy! Weeks before Gabi was born, it's all I could think of. But I didn't want to bother my abuelita. So I set out, to search the internet. And I found this recipe.

Let me tell you, it was delicious! Not as good as my abuelita's bread, but pretty darn close. Yum! Did I mention that it makes 2 loaves? I'm almost 100% positive that I ate 1 and 3/4 loaves. Shhhh! We won't tell anyone. It was that good. So here's the recipe!

Spiced Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 16-ounce can solid pack pumpkin
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

How to:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9x5x3-inch loaf pans. Beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend. Mix in eggs and pumpkin. Sift flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt and baking powder into another large bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture in 2 additions. Mix in walnuts, if desired.

Divide batter equally between prepared pans. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool 10 minutes. Using sharp knife, cut around edge of loaves. Turn loaves out onto racks and cool completely.

While my abuelita was out here visiting,she did a little baking. And I got 4 loaves of her bread. Just for me! I was over the moon with excitement! Then I told her about this recipe. She tried it out. And really liked it. But this time, she wrote down her recipe. Yay! Now we'll have plenty of pumpkin bread. My favorite fall treat!

Some Much Needed Sparkle

I'm officially past due. 8 days! And I'm quite miserable. I barely fit into my maternity clothes. I haven't seen my feet in months. Months people! We've been trying everything, to get our Munequita to come. Nothing is working. Let's just say, I needed a little "pick me up."

La Chiquitita is always wearing the best accessories. Something fun. Interesting. Things that I don't usually see. I asked her the other day, where she shops. And she told me about Charming Charlie. It's Accessory Heaven! Now I know, why all the girlies like to go shopping with their Tia Bonita! Best shopping ever!

Yesterday, I met my friend, during her lunch break, at Heaven on Earth. Any mujeres' shopping Heaven! No lie! Charming Charlie, we are going to be besties. No lie! I'm so glad we met today. :)

I'm positive that I mentioned, this, I don't fit into any of my clothes. Not really. And our baby girl, doesn't seem like she is ready to come. At most, I should only be pregnant 1 more week. They'll induce next Friday, if I don't go into labor. This means, I need a few outfits. If our Munequita doesn't come in the next few days, Gabe is going to teach, at the Conference this week. I'll need to at least meet our friends for dinner. I desperately needed something, to make me feel better.

That's when Charming Charlie surprised me! I went in. Wobbling. Exhausted. And was surprised! While my friend has control, she only left with 3 pairs of earrings, I had absolutely none! I left with almost $200 worth of stuff. Overdue or not, earrings, bracelets, and purses always fit! Oh, and I get to wear all of this, long after our precious little girl is born.

Yes, this Momma-to-Be, needed a "pick-me-up." La Chiquitita knows exactly how to make you feel better. I'm so grateful for my dear friend. Lunch, laughter, and shopping. That's what our afternoon was made of. It was exactly what I needed. Hopefully our Munequita was bitten by the "Shopping Bug," and is motivated to meet her Mommy and Daddy!