Foodie Blogroll

Monday, December 27, 2010

Jolly Sand "Snowman" ~ and Pumpkin Bread

It's a good thing we have such a white sand beach, he looks like he's made of snow...sorta! Beside the fact that his eyes are shells, his arms are sea bean pods, and seaweed for a hat! :D and he won't melt, might just get washed away! This time when we walked the beach there were a lot of sea urchins washed up on shore again. There were also some sponges and many little conch. Most of the conch were alive still so I throw them out into the water.
We were so lucky it warmed up to 70 for Christmas, so that we could eat outside by the pool, because I didn't have enough chairs to seat everybody around the table. We didn't think that far ahead to borrow some chairs. It has been awhile since Christmas dinner was at my house. Usually we go to our friends house that don't have family in town either, and we all pitch in and bring what we like to grill or roast. This year they had to go to South Africa to handle some family business, and my cousins from Montana were here visiting my aunt and uncle so we had everyone here.


We did get two extra dogs to join us for Christmas...while our friends were away in South Africa. Which is only fair since they had Tucker last Christmas when we were out of town. The dogs each got their own toy that Santa brought them.


On my bird of paradise was new bloom and you could see the purple so vivid. I had to get a shot of it, actually I should cut some and enjoy them in a vase...it's supposed to get a freeze tonight.
All three dogs after all the gifts were open...Tucker is back in his room behind the tree.
It just wore Tucker out, he plopped up on the futon and zonked. He's used to being alone all day, not having two extra dogs and the little one's nose is always in everyone's face, including his.

Maranda has been wanting to make pumpkin bread since Thanksgiving. We finally had a chance last week since we were off from school and had some time.

We chose a recipe that seemed a little less...shall we say...bad for you than some others. Well to find out some made two loaves and this one made one so, not all that different. One thing when we put the batter in the pan it was very thick, just like the coconut bread. It made for a hearty bread that's for sure.
Ingredients:

-2 cups flour
-1 cup brown sugar (I didn't pack it, I usually use less sugar than recipes call for)
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp nutmeg
-1/4 tsp cloves
-1/4 ginger
-1 T baking powder
-1/2 tsp baking soda
-1/2 tsp salt
-1 cup pumpkin
-1/2 cup milk
-1/3 cup butter
-2 eggs

Mix dry ingredients, except sugar. Beat sugar and butter together until smooth, then add pumpkin, eggs and milk mixing well. Mix all the ingredients by adding the flour mixture to the wet. Pour into buttered loaf pan and bake 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes or until done.

I think the two loaf recipe would be good since it uses the whole can of pumpkin. I had some leftover after this recipe so I made some pumpkin risotto with it.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Thnaks for all your holiday wishes! Looking forward to the new year!

23 comments:

  1. Mmmm, that bread looks delicious. And I'm loving the sandy snow man. I like him a bunch better than the 30 inches of snow we have here to make one.

    Love the dogs and Maranda photo. So cute! Glad you had a nice Christmas.

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  2. Gorgeous "snow" man. I love Siesta Key! I'm just north of you now, above Tampa vising the FIL. Wish I had time to trek down to Sarasota - it's one of my favorite places!!

    sharon

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  3. Love that snowman! You are so creative :-) looks like you've been having a wonderful holiday.

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  4. Sounds like a wonderful Christmas! I love the Florida "snow" man - we are so lucky to live here! The pumpkin bread sounds delicious :-)

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  5. How do you manage 3 pets, Lyndsey :) The pumpkin cake looks perfect with lovely color and texture.

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  6. For a moment there I thought that is a real snowman! Lovely dogs there and that pumpkin bread looks yummy:)

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  7. Betty Ray - Thanks, yes you don't need 30" of snow to make a snowman...4" would do. :D

    Sharon - you are close, maybe next time you'll make it down here!

    Lyndsay - I didn't make the sand man, we just happened to see it on one of our beach walks, so I snapped a pic!

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  8. Martha - Yes we are lucky, thanks we did have a nice Christmas. I hope you were able to have a nice one too.

    Sanjeeta - We only have one dog, we are watching our friends 2 dogs for a couple of weeks while they are away.

    Jeannie - I know...it does look like it made of snow. With such white sand I thought I should clarify that :D

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  9. I have never seen a sand snowman before, it looks so real LOL. Love the recipe. Have a great New Year and all the best for 2011. Diane

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  10. Hope you had a Merry Christmas, can't go wrong with family and friends. The pumpkin bread looks really good. I'm going to have to try it, and the snowman... well I wish I were there instead of here!

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  11. My kids and I really like your sand snowman! I'm glad you had a nice Christmas. And your pumpkin bread looks yummo!

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  12. Diane - He was so much fun. I'd hate to be the one to knock him down. We run across all sorts of sand sculptures some good and some not so good.

    Ivonne - Thanks for the Christmas wishes. I hope yours was great too! Well, you'll have to post a picture of the real snowman that you build...hehe!

    Rhondi - :D I'm glad you all enjoyed it!

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  13. I miss the snow so much! Christmas without snow is a little different.

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  14. love your photos.....and the pumpkin bread of course!

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  15. Sook - You sure get used to Christmas without snow. I do like shopping for Christmas trees in shorts and flip flops though!

    ♥peachkins♥ - thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed them. I really try to restrain myself and not post too many pics!

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  16. Whah...a sandman instead of snowmen...beautiful!! Can't tell on first glance. What a lovely time with all the lovely dogs around. But I can imagine how Tucker feels. He must be complaining but yet happy :) The pumpkin bread looks very delicious....mmmm

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  17. What a fun Christmas. Everything looks great. And I love the sandman too.

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  18. Looks like you had a great (and warm) Christmas. You had me fooled with that "sandman."
    Sam

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  19. I love spending Christmas at the beach although we did not do that this year. Your pumpkin bread is more on the healthy side than mine - I'll be sure to try yours soon. Happy New Year.

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  20. That bread looks delicious! Glad you had a great holiday!

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  21. The bread looks delicious! Happy new year!!!!

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  22. love the snow man looks like snow how cool, and great pumpkin bread

    Happy New year love Rebecca

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  23. The bread look great, Happy New Year to you and all at home.

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