Monday, October 16, 2017

Pumpkins and Gourds and Pumpkin-Banana Bread


Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you had 
a wonderful weekend and found some time
to make yourself happy :)
Something that is so important. 
When you are happy, you can spread the joy
in a world that clearly needs a little kindness.  

Ramblin' Man and I have been busy preparing
the house for winter - well, mostly it has been 
Ramblin' Man :) He took last week off work
and was a very busy handyman. 

He cleaned the gutters, the chimney, filled the woodbox, and 
did a million other little chores on his 'honey-do' list. 

I baked him treats and helped when I could....
while keeping up with the everyday chores,
which sometimes seem never-ending. 
But I do it with joy, because I know that there
are those who have lost their homes and would 
dearly love to tend to them once again. 

I also had a little fun decorating with all the pumpkins 
and gourds that I found at the pumpkin patch! 


The old trellis that my daughter gave me
was put to good use. 

She gave me two, one is in my kitchen. 


Here it is, with the beautiful morning sunshine
beaming in. We had a lovely, warm and sunny weekend. 
By 'warm', I mean it was in the 60's! haha! 
We are definitely experiencing some cooler fall weather
here in Western Washington State. 


I hung these beautiful, colored corn-cobs and hoped 
that the birds didn't discover them right away. 

So far, so good......


Dried cornstalks from the pumpkin patch,
and a bundle of 'Dock' plumes that I picked 
myself from my wild and crazy garden, are tied next to it. 

Dock is a very beneficial herb, but it is actually
the root which is used. I don't have enough 
to harvest the root, but I will spread these seed plumes
around when I am done with them. 
These are rangy and weedy, so they will only go in 
outlying areas. 

You can read more about the health benefits of Dock, Here.


I found some unusual pumpkins and gourds
which I stacked in and around my collection
of galvanized buckets. 


xoxo



I crafted this wreath a few years ago. 


My little coal stove hosts a few Cinderella pumpkins. 


My daughter made the white tool caddy in 
shop class years ago. 

When I went to school, girls took sewing and cooking
classes and boys took wood and automotive 'shop'. 

So glad that there are more choices these days. 

There was actually a club in my public high-school called 
'Future Homemakers of America'! 

I took advantage of the sewing and cooking classes
and took both for two years, 1 hour each, every day. 
They were full-credit classes back then. 
I was happy that I did, because now I can sew and cook
 anything I desire. 
I also took Algebra and Geometry. 

Math does come in handy for sewing and cooking, too! 


My little red wheelbarrow gets a rest from gardening 
duties to showcase some pretty fall flowers. 

I'll plant these in the garden later......


The lawn needs a little mowing. 
The weeds are taking over.....

Ramblin' Man has been busy.....
I would mow it, but I can't even start the darn mower. 
I try and try, but I can't seem to pull the starter 
cable hard enough. 
Finally, I give up in frustration. 


So instead, I go inside and bake us a treat......


Pumpkin-Banana Bread

Makes two loaves
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
Grease two loaf pans - set aside. 

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1/3 cup cooking oil
4 eggs
3 and 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 and 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ginger 
2/3 cup water
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
3 med. mashed, ripe bananas
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Beat sugar, oil and eggs in large mixing bowl. 
In separate bowl, mix all dry ingredients. 
Add flour mixture and water, alternately to sugar/oil/egg mixture,
blending just until mixed. 
Add pumpkin and mashed bananas. 
Stir in nuts. 

Divide batter evenly into two greased loaf pans. 
Bake 50-60 minutes or until wooden toothpick 
inserted into middle comes out clean. 

Cool completely before serving. 

xoxo


xoxo

Yum! 

You can't taste the bananas, but they make the bread 
wonderfully moist without having to use a lot 
of oil or other fat. 

Ramblin' Man gives it a double thumbs up! 

Now, hopefully, he will mow the lawn :) 

xoxo

Today I am linking with:
Cooking and Crafting with J&J

Won't you join the fun?

xoxo
















47 comments:

  1. You have decorated your home beautifully for the fall. I remember Future Homemakers of America as I belonged to this club in high school. I think it was the girls equivalent of Future Farmers of America. The bread you baked looks fabulous. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I hope your week is off to a good start. Hugs, Pat

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  2. Love your amazing garden,the last photos are my favorites!Hugs,Karen!Have a lovely week!

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  3. Beautiful! Your home looks so inviting.

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  4. Karen, oh I love your autumn decor. Both trellis(es) are just lovely. My front porch is a bit spooky for Halloween. (I shared some pictures today). I took cooking and sewing in HS too and was a member of the Future Homemakers of America. Sadly, I still can't sew worth beans. xo

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  5. Beautiful fall life photos, Karen! I love the trellises you are displaying! The pumpkin banana bread looks so good...I need to try it! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Karen, we had Future Homemakers too as well as Future Farmers of America. Maybe that's why we all crave to go back to the farm (even though we never actually live on one).

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  7. Dearest Karen,
    Yeah, we women do bribe our men with sweet treats; don't we?! But it is true, so many things only they can do and it worries me for when that time comes to an end...
    You have so many lovely autumn things to play and decorate with!
    Thank you for that comment on my previous post about the Maris families living in your area. You did kind of inspire me to write the post about my self made wedding gown and my late husband Frans Van Maris...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  8. Hi Karen, my dear friend, what a wonderful post, thank you for all the lovely pictures and the recipe from this delicious Banana Bread!
    Wishing you a great and wonderful week, sending Love and hugs and blessings to you, Claudia xo

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  9. Thank you for sharing your happiness, Karen. Our world does need us to share our happiness! As I type my adult son, Tim, just brought me some of his latest experiment in making gluten free banana bread. [It is delicious!] I am sharing your recipe with him :) xx

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  10. I love your mindset on doing what makes us happy, Karen, to relax and keep ourselves diverted-I get it!

    I love these trellises, I would never think to use one inside, but wow, we use ladders!

    I will try your Pumpkin- Banana Bread. I do love quick bread so much in the fall...I wonder why we don't make them other times of the year. Funny, we don't make much potato salad in the winter either!! lol!

    I remember my Home Ec classes in high school. I think it was 3 weeks of cooking, and 3 weeks sewing. I got horrible grades in both! And math. And typing! For all the writing I do, I use about three fingers on each hand! But I am FAST! I can sew and stitch by hand, thanks to my mother. :)

    Cool weather is here, I have some mums and a few little pumpkins. We have a newly redone porch and landscaping and I don't want to clutter it up. You've made a gorgeous creation with your outdoor trellis. I've never heard of Dock, it's awesome.

    Happy fall!

    Jane

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  11. Your beautiful home is decorated so beautifully for the season. The display on the trellis is a delight, Such a wonderful recipe, I am a great fan of banana bread.

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  12. Hello, I love all your Autumn decorations. The decorated trellis looks lovely. The pumpkin banana bread sounds yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I have never heard of Dock, I will google it. Your lawn mower sounds like ours, I can not start it. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

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  13. Your home looks so lovely in it's Autumn décor.
    Love your little red wheelbarrow and the pretty flowers. 

    All the best Jan

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  14. All the Fall decorations are just wonderful, Karen! I really love the way you used the old trellis.

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  15. Oh, I loved seeing all the pumpkins around your house, Karen, and the different ways you used them for decorating. I've always liked the colored corn cobs, as they remind me of the first Thanksgiving with the pilgrims. Your door wreath is simple and pretty, displaying all the Fall colors. Aren't those Cinderella pumpkins sweet? And your little red barrow is charming filled with what looks like Mums? Pumpkin-Banana Bread, Yummy! It looks moist and sounds perfect with a cup of coffee. I just made banana cake last night and it was very moist. I think you're right about how bananas make the bread moist when baking. You and your husband are getting so much done for the winter months. Everything looks wonderful, Karen.

    ~Sheri

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  16. Your home is so cozy and just imagining the scent of fresh baked pumpkin banana bread while viewing your home and harvest decorating makes me wish i could sit down to tea, pumpkin bread, and a sweet visit in your cozy kitchen.

    The weather here on the other side of our mountains in eastern Washington has been freezing , the frost is definitely on the pumpkins and we had snow on the hills across the streets a few days ago. Getting settled in for winter ! gonna bake some of that bread too.

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  17. What a lovely post filled with all that you two are doing in readiness for winter. The bread looks so inviting and your decorating inside and out is as lovely as always.

    Happy Autumn ~ FlowerLady

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  18. Love the pictures special the room

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  19. Your home is looking so cozy both inside and out, Karen! I'd love to stay and chat and have a slice of your pumpkin banana bread.
    Your day at the Pumpkin Patch with your grandson looked like such fun. He looked like the cutest little pumpkin among the pumpkins!
    Thank you for your congratulatory wishes on my new granddaughter. She is a little angel! Love and hugs to you, my friend.

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  20. What special gifts the trellis' and the tool box are to give such a wonderfully vintage look to your décor. It is all so lovely. That bread must have smelled wonderful baking!

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  21. You have decorated so beautifully for Fall! I have not done much outside or inside the house this year. Next year when my daughter will be visiting then it will be another story. Looove the recipe for pumpkin banana bread. I love anything with pumpkin! Thank you for sharing!

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  22. I didn't take Home Ec in high school, but I can cook anything and sew a bit. My daughter has taken Anatomy classes at our vocational school, next door to the high school. I am also thankful she has more choices than I did.

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  23. Your home is beautifully outfitted for the season! Being sad doesn't help anyone who is hurting, and it's good to share happiness. The pumpkin banana bread sounds delicious!

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  24. Pumpkin Banana Bread...now that sounds good! I love your home and your decorating skills!

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  25. beautiful words dear karen!

    what would we do without our dear ,very responsible and hardworking hubbies!

    Baking for him is sweet gesture ,that is what i do in such times and thank God most of times he likes the effort.

    Your daughter gave you wonderful trellis ,they are so nice and you placed them wonderfully specially loved it seeing in your sunny room!

    This is what matters lot that what ever we do do it with love and passion ,it makes the work done in best and quick way ,i am glad that while doing all chores you were thinking about the people who suffered with fires and storms ,it made you realize the value of blessings you have even more !

    California fires are terribly horrifying ,watching news is painful though but what about who beard this ,may God bless them with peace and reliving soon,amen!

    Unlike you i was not fond of cooking and sewing ,my mother was so well known in whole big family for her crochet ,knitting ,sewing and embroidery .

    I miss that sense of responsibility in academies of today ,they are not paying attention to prepare GOOD MOTHERS for future so nations can live at peace as lap of mother is first school for a child .

    i loved (always) all the stunning shots of your home Karen!

    thank you for delicious recipe

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  26. I remember being in home economics class and FHA. They taught us how to sew and bake and sort laundry. It was a fun class. Your pumpkins adorn your cozy house beautifully.
    xx Beca

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  27. I love the way you have of decorating for winter and I love fall cakes.
    Congratulations!!!

    Marina

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  28. Your decorations look wonderful, I especially love the corn with the trellis and the pumpkins with the buckets, such a great arrangement!
    We really need to start getting things ready for the winter here too, it will be upon us before we know it, we are having cool evenings but the days are still above normal right now.
    Yum that bread looks good, maybe I will have to give that to my hubby too for getting things done around here :)

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  29. It all looks great. I love how you have done it all. Esp love the sun beam coming through the window. Beautiful home.

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  30. Your autumn decor is so pretty. I love how you used the trellis and wish I could at the Charmer but we have very little wall space! I'm really behind on decorating since we having the upstair remodel completed, or at least we thought. I remember home ED in school today it would be called sexist? It would be hard for me not to stare out the window all day!

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  31. Soon, very soon, you will hear a knock on your door! I will be expecting hand-outs of that bread...keep a piece warm for me. I'm coming your way.

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  32. Everything looks so good! You always decorate so nicely :-) That bread sounds delicious! I love anything that has to do with pumpkin ;-) I am with you about the chores both inside and outside. Seems to be never ending! My husband recently took a new job which is 2 1/2 hours away and it is hard for him to get things done when he gets home. It's getting darker out all the time. Inside chores are certainly never ending as well. Hope you enjoy your weekend! Thank you for the kind words on my blog.

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  33. Karen your home is so dreamy and welcoming. I love what you've done with the trellises. Love, Mimi xxx

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  34. I sure have enjoyed your touches of autumn! You have warmly created such a lovely fall world - looks GREAT!

    That wee pot bellied stove is awesome - and I adore its color!!!!

    I actually posted something today. I know, been too long. Sorry!!!]

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  35. Beautiful Halloween decoration of your home! Thank you for the great recipe!!! Kisses!!!!

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  36. Wonderful decorated home, love all the fall ideas and fabulous recipe.

    Hugs Diane

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  37. Hello Karen. I didn't know you could buy pumkin puree. I shall have to look around the shops to see if I can find some. Your Pumpkin-Banana Bread sounds delicious. I love banana cake.
    Loving how you have decorated your garden and home!
    Have a truly beautiful weekend with hugs from us xx

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  38. Your Fall decorations are so pretty, Karen. Oh, your sun-bathed kitchen/living room, how divine it is. I would sit in the sunshine and stitch the day away. It is a very good thing you are such a good cook and keep that workman husband of yours well fed.

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  39. Haha Beatrice, I can feel your frustration when you cannot get the mower started, I often had the same too, but nowadays I have to mow the grass by myself and I'm rather proude to say that I can manage....
    Love all your beautiful autumn decorations and the pumpkin banana bread sounds delicious!
    Regards from Holland, Janneke

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  40. Thank you for sharing the lovely recipe, I usually make banana bread with sultanas so it will be quite a different one for us to try. I really do love your wreath and other decorations xx

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  41. I love your decorations and the recipe you've shared. Autumn seems to bring a lot of good energies with it - a good thing, as it brings a lot of chores as well :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  42. I love all your fall decorations...so pretty. You're doing all the right things for fall...baking, supporting hubby's tasks and making a warm inviting home. Love it.

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  43. Hi Karen wow I love your home,you have both been very busy,thankyou for sharing your lovely recipe with us 😘

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  44. HI Karen...
    Your place looks great all decked out!
    I have never used pumpkin in any baking...I think I should remedy that ASAP!
    I whipped up a Buttermilk Blueberry Breakfast cake today....yum!
    Enjoy your week...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  45. Hello Karen, your fall decorations are really lovely.. And it looks so cozy and warm in your home.
    So nice to read your post, I love what you write about beeing happy.
    Wonderful days to you,
    Best regards, Ida

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  46. I love banana bread of any kind, so I like finding new recipes!

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  47. Hi there Karen, I love how you've arranged the pumpkins and gourds, and the trellis are so versatile with what can be done with them.
    It's always a real treat to see around your garden and those pretty flowers would be happily growing in their spot by now I'm sure.
    No matter if you can't start the mower, there's no man on earth who'd prefer that over a gorgeous yummy homemade treat eh!
    Thanks for sharing your loving homelife once more. Hugs xx

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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