Feeling Festive for Fall

I have a slight love affair with fall...while not a huge fan of change in general, I love to witness the change of seasons, the shortening of days and the vibrant colors on the trees.  I love to bring out my wool sweaters and endless supply of turtlenecks.  I love to cuddle with fluffy blankets on the couch and burrow in a bit deeper in down while trying to fall asleep.  I love football season and the start of school.  And I can also usually count on fall to deliver some beautiful sunny days in which to enjoy all of these things.  Overall, it's a wonderful time of year.

My dear friend, Shannon, made us some delicious bread as a thank you and I had to call her up the next day for the recipe.  It was simply delectable and just screamed 'fall' to me.  I made a couple of batches and delivered them to the kids' teachers, to a few friends and we enjoyed a couple of loaves at home, as well. 

Here is my finished product.  I doctored them up a bit with some ribbon and a card made from my Cricut - I thought they made cute little gifts.

And here is the recipe - it's easy and scrumptious, the perfect combination for my limited cooking abilities!
3 c. sugar
1 c. oil
4 eggs
2/3 c. water
16 oz pumpkin
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. all spice
3 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. chocolate chips

Mix the wet ingredients, mix in the dry until blended, fold in chocolate chips.  Pour into 2 large loaf pans (I used two large and two small to stretch the batter - Shannon suggested it, as it makes two really big loaves that don't cook quite as well)  Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour.  That was a bit too long in my oven, I found the small loaves cooked in about 40 minutes and the large ones did better at about 50.  They are done when they bounce back on your finger and are no longer sticky. 

Delicious, really.  Give it a try!

Each year I like to buy a new decoration for our home.  This year, after seeing a similar mantel in a magazine, I was on a mission to spruce ours up.  I've always just had pictures in the past, but thought this was a great space to display seasonal decorations.  Found some great deals at the craft stores and Home Goods and ended up with a festive fall mantel. 

Another reason to love fall.  I love to decorate our front porch with pumpkins, corn stalks and hay.  It's such a nice way to welcome to guests.