My Mama's Zucchini Bread

I searched through my cooking link and I am surprised that I haven't written about this most amazing treat!  It is the best thing in the universe and for years I wouldn't share my recipe because it was sacred to me... then I thought about all the people who would never taste the wonderment that is Zucchini Bread.  I felt horrible for depriving others of this magical treat so without further ado - here is the best recipe ever written and I hope y'all enjoy it as much as I do.

Let me know if you try this, I promise you won't be disappointed.  The bonus factor in our house is that I can get some delicious veggies into Hobbit and Peanut while still serving them something they love.

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 cup of oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups of flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 tsp cinnamon

Directions

1. Beat eggs until light and foamy.
2. Add sugar, oil, zucchini and vanilla.
3. Mix lightly but well.
4. In separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon).
5. Add dry ingredients to mixer in small increments.  Wait for dry mixture to be absorbed before adding the next amount.  I generally do it in about 1/2 cup portions.
6. Make sure everything is mixed together well.
7. Grease two standard loaf pans.
8. Pour ingredients in (pans should each be about 3/4 of the way full).
9. Bake in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for roughly 1 hour.  When knife inserted into the center comes out clean, loaves are done.
10. Cool for ten minutes in the pan on wire racks.
11. After ten minutes, remove from pans and let them finish cooling on the wire racks.

And there you have it.  Now, to make the recipe my own, I also add 1 tsp of nutmeg.  I have also been known to add walnuts or pecans on occasion.  If you opt to do this, be sure to flour the nuts first so that they don't just sink to the bottom.

Sunday Snaps

All the rain every day has given us some fabulous sunsets.

Hobbit has had one roller coaster of a week... I pray that we are pulling into the station for a smooth ride now.

I've been working on a new group project hosted by Gingerbread Girl called One A Day.

Pokey and I worked on cleaning up the front yard - word to the wise, Monkey Grass is never a good idea.

Hobbit and Buddy are having a great time camping in the living room for this holiday weekend.

That has been our week.  It's been full of rain, tears, new adventures and welcomed giggles.  It looks like things may be making a positive turn.  Only time will tell but each day seems a bit brighter than the day before - always a good sign.  Here's to a continued upward trend for the week ahead!

Saturday silliness... sure 'nuff!

Even Tink looks unsettled... still a cool night light.

Today is going to be full of silliness - in hopes that it will relieve some of the anxiety and tension in the littlest member of the house.  We've got a tent up in the living room, just like we used to do when Sissy was home.  We're going to make some zucchini bread, just like we used to do when Sissy was home.  We're having spaghetti for supper, just like we used to do when Sissy was home.

Do you see a theme here?  I sure hope so because subtlety is not my strong point.

Hobbit has been dealing with a lot of changes in her life, and she doesn't do well with change.  These aren't little changes either - they are huge changes.  Pokey's work schedule has him getting home after she's already in bed for the night so she may not see him for more than a few minutes a day.  Peanut has gone away to college and her Skype isn't set up yet so she hasn't had a conversation with her for a bit.  Hobbit started a new school with new kids and new teacher... we even had to rehouse one of our dogs.  Her whole life has been turned around and someone shook it just like her Tinkerbell night light.

All of this changed has caused Hobbit a bit of anxiety.  We have had full blown melt downs - irrational fear, uncontrollable crying and barely controllable asthma attacks... it's frustrating and heartbreaking all at the same time.  So today, I have a plan.  It might work, it might not but it's worth a try.

You see, Peanut went from just the two of us to everyone so her life became fuller... Hobbit has gone from everyone down to just the two of us (most of the time since Pokey's schedule right now isn't very family friendly) so her life has become emptier.  I didn't have to do a lot of convincing to make Peanut appreciate all the changes - she was over the moon when it all happened for her.  Her family grew double in size in a few short years.  Her mental picture of the perfect life was complete.  It was an easy transition.  Hobbit feels as though she has lost everyone in one fail swoop!  So what am I going to do - this...

My fearless campers - watching Disney Channel as they "rough" it.

The tent went up this morning so she could spend the day in it, sleep in it tonight and play in it all day tomorrow until Pokey comes home to take it down after work.  Later this afternoon, I'm going to crawl in there (heaven help me) and we're going to write a list.  This list is going to be about all the fun stuff we can now do together, just the two of us.  I'm going to show her the positive light of all this change and how it can be difficult to see the good when you feel like you're surrounded by so much that is bad.  I hope that this works as well as I envisioned...

Fingers crossed.

Nice end to the week

Source

I have had a most interesting day, to say the least.

I started my first day volunteering at Hobbit’s library. It was wonderful and a lot of fun - up until this other volunteer walks up to me after we’d been working together for a bit and says “Not to steamroll you but what am I supposed to do now if you are going to be here all day? I was here first you know - all week - so what am I supposed to do with you here all day?” Needless to say, I was very uncomfortable with the entire exchange - even though all I said was “I don’t know” and looked rather sheepish. The lady stormed out of the library and I was headed into the office when I saw that the librarian was there so I explained what just happened and how I don’t do drama so if my helping out is going to cause some in anyone’s life, I can just stay home. The librarian was adamant that I should return and she would deal with the other person who apparently just got her nose out of joint and needed to be pet. Whatever - I would tell her to find another place to lend a hand if she felt that way but that’s me.

I also had a message from the store manager of the Walmart where I had that issue on Tuesday. The skinny of it is that the one associate has been reprimanded for her behavior and the pharmacist is no longer an issue, as she has been removed from her position there so would I please come and transfer my prescriptions. I will apparently be receiving a letter in the post along with a $60 gift card so my refills are covered. I did refuse the card because that wasn’t why I called but he insisted so I allowed it. I must say - with the power of one email and one call, I was contacted by the VP of Marketing, VP of Pharmacy Division, District Manager and Store Manager. I also learned from James, the store manager, that he was indeed on duty that night and he most certainly has power of her - which he exercised to it’s fullest extent.

Now, I’m going to kick my shoes off because my feet are killing me, open a soda and sit back for a few minutes before I have to figure out what to make for supper.  Just might end up being a bowl of cereal and a bit of Gilmore Girls... with a bit of knitting in my super huge comfy blue chair.

So with all that we have been through, this has been a nice ending to the week... now bring on the weekend!

R is for...

Rest.

I know, it's not really knitting oriented this time, is it.  It's all I could think of today because this transition of Peanut being away at college and Hobbit not handling it well at all has honestly worn me out.  I anticipated it being a bit weepy and mopy around here for a few days, possibly a week or but it has gone to new levels and I am at a loss.

I have been exploring different avenues and hopefully by this time next week, we will have found a way to bring some peace back this house... and rest.

The celebrations has begun ~ Celebrate Color!

I have been waiting for this particular little celebration to start - and today's the day!  It is the first day of September and while the first day of Autumn isn't officially until the 23rd this year, I can't help but day dream and remember seasonal changes.

As many of y'all know, I am currently residing in Florida, land of the seasons "Hot", "Dang Hot", "Gates of Hell Hot" and "Christmas".  Last year I was tickled when Autumn showed up just in time for Christmas.  I love changing leaves and the sound of them crunching under your feet... when I lived a bit further north, I would always mark the season by the smell of burning leaves - a scent I honestly love.

Autumn, as far as color palettes go, always means earthy.  I tend to gravitate towards deep browns, mossy greens and lush rust tones.  Basically, all those gorgeous colors from the Natchez Trace trail on a perfect afternoon drive.  If you've never had that experience, please remedy it ~ you'll never forget it or regret it.  That is a section of this country that I dearly miss some days.. especially in Autumn.

I finally found it!

My granny square blanket color palette.

The perfect car pick up line activity - my granny square blanket!  Since I joined Gingerbread Girl's One A Day project group, I thought I would give the squares a test run today.  I have about an hour wait and if I'm knitting in the middle of a row when the line moves, I'm holding people up - yes, it's true that there are people who don't understand the importance of finishing the row!

So today, I gathered up all my supplies for my granny square blanket and headed out the door.  I got to my usual spot in the line and had roughly 45 minutes until school got out, time to get cracking.  I grabbed my hook and started a square.  I only did a solid pink one since I wasn't entirely sure I remembered how to even properly make a granny square, much less do a color change!

I am happy to report that not only did I remember but I can get exactly one square done with 2 minutes to spare.  It is the perfect car pick up project.  It made the time fly, completes my quota for the group and is very relaxing.  I have finally found the perfect craft for the school year.

Thanks for the reminder

For as much as today really stunk, I was given a little reminder that I shouldn't sweat the small stuff and to find the beauty in the moment.  While Hobbit and I were tidying up the living room, I looked out the front window and witnessed the most beautiful sight - so I grabbed my camera to share it with you.

The view that caught my eye

How can anyone remember ickiness with these gorgeous colors on display?

Sometimes, I forget that I live in a postcard part of the world.

Thanks for the reminder... I'll do better not to forget.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Peanut's first day edition

It's Peanut's first day of classes out at DSU so this edition of Tuesday Tunes is dedicated to her - Eye of the Tiger, baby girl!  You'll do great and remember that I love you.

Q is for...

Quixotic.

1. Today is Peanut's first day of college.  The air is crisp and the weather is apparently perfect for going outside and not return indoors until the light has left the sky.
2. Today is my first day of volunteering at Hobbit's school library.  The air is still and the weather is nowhere near as beautiful as it is in Peanut's part of the world.
3. I wish I was in Peanut's part of the world - for many reasons.

Many things about this day and my mood are extravagantly visionary, wildly romantic and completely impractical... and yet, my Quixote-esque mood persists.  C'est la vie.

Want to join in the fun - click here.

Sunday Snaps

It has been raining off and on all week.

Hobbit started 1st grade in her new school - and it's been great!

Car line has proven an exercise in patience - this is my rear view and I'm an hour early!

I have white hair... do you see it... right there.. Santa Claus snow white hair - it's been quite a summer.

My 1st baby is now all the way in South Dakota, set up in her dorm and ready to start class on Monday.

My mama (on the right) and my daddy (behind the camera) got Peanut all set up - I wish I could have been there.

It has been quite the week - full of firsts and discoveries and adventures.  I am worn out, both physically and mentally.  I honestly was looking forward to the weekend but it has flown by too quickly.  On the up side, I get to start my volunteer spot tomorrow at Hobbit's school so hopefully it will be as wonderful as I have imagined it.

I'm not one to wish my life away, but I sure do hope that the next 112 days don't drag on and as soon as Peanut comes back through that front door, time stands still... that's not too much to ask - is it?

Me... over-extend myself... naaaaah

Source

Gingerbread Girl is talking about doing a "one a day" CAL/KAL and I'm thinking of joining in. I've got a very beautiful granny square blanket that I started when my folks were down for Peanut's graduation which is currently sitting in hibernation under my end table because the thought of completing an entire blanket got to be too daunting.

Her ingenious idea is to simply do "one a day" and we check in once a week with our progress. It works with knitting as well, you could do a blanket of attached items (squares, colored rows, etc) so don't think that just because you might not crochet yet (yep, I said yet... we all wander over sooner or later... lol) that you can't participate.

She's thinking of setting up a Ravelry group to help everyone check in and such, as well as progress posts on her blog. Would y'all like to join in too?

Here are a few knitted options to mull over ~

1. Spring Squares Blanket
2. Patchwork Blanket
3. Hearts and Flowers Blanket
4. Quilt Look Blanket

(here are the search results if you want to browse all 42 pages)

OR

You could simply learn to make a granny square, the most addictive crochet item in the universe! Just watch this...

So what do you say ~ will you join in too?

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic but...

The rain, rain, rain came
down, down, down...

I am so over hearing about this "hurricane" that is going to "slam" into the Northeast US.  Let's get a few things clear - by the time it reaches y'all, it's going to simply be a Tropical Storm (possibly a very weak Category 1)... a scary name for large rain storm with a couple of gusty winds. It won't do any more damage than a typical summer thunderstorm.

I blame the media for all the hype, I really do.  Making this storm out to be more than it is in their typical sensationalistic way is just not good for anyone.  I know people who are honestly panicking about batteries or water or having their money out of the bank because it's practically Armageddon headed straight toward them!!!

Now perhaps the fact that I have been living through hurricanes since I was thirteen years old - that makes 25 years for anyone keeping count - has made me a bit relaxed over the whole thing...  Perhaps it's the fact that we constantly have a prepared generator, emergency kit and water on hand... or perhaps it's simply my old age (I found three white hairs while waiting in the pick up line yesterday).  Whatever it is, I would simply like to say this ~

Get a grip, stop fretting and enjoy your weekend. 

A new adventure

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Do y'all remember me filling out the paperwork to be a volunteer at Hobbit's school this year?  No?  Did I not share that with you?  Oh well, I thought I had - anyway, I did and I was approved so I called the school to let them know I had received my approval email and suggest where I would like to be placed - if possible... because subtlety is not my strong suit.

Yesterday afternoon, I received a call.  It was the librarian (aka Media Center Director - same job, fancier sounding title) at Hobbit's school.  She had received the note that I wanted to help out in the library (aka Media Center - same thing, fancier sounding location).  The woman on the other end of the line, Mrs. H, sounded so tickled that I honestly just smiled through the conversation.  She said that I was the best news she had all day... when she found out that I was available all day (except on Pokey's weekend), then she said I was the best news all week.  It's heartwarming to be someones "best news".

I start on Monday and I have no clue what I will be doing - I just know that I will be there all school day and making someone very happy... and isn't that the essence of volunteering?

Wow, next time I'll spend the extra dollar

Doctored the photo, just like the sauce

I have been working on keeping our food budget in check since it is one of the biggest bills we have every month.  With prices constantly increasing but our income being stagnant (or decreasing - the life of commissioned sales), I have been looking for ways to save a penny here and there... but this one really wasn't worth it at all.  I honestly think that there are some things that are worth the little extra you pay because of what you get.

Now, my husband will work himself into a tizzy trying to defend a $6 jar of pasta sauce.  I don't want to go there, even though he is reading over my shoulder nodding with "that look" on his face.  I am just going to talk about the can (yes, that's right - can) of sauce I picked up because it was a dollar.  It was twice the size of the jar I was going to get and almost $2 less.  I thought to myself "why not - that extra money is a package of snack cakes for school lunches" and so I did it.  Man, that was a big mistake.  It is currently simmering on my cook top with a truck load of spices that were necessary in order to make it taste... well... edible. 

In the future, I think I'll simply spend the little bit extra and get something I know will taste like sauce.  This stuff was so sweet, it pulled my face funny.  I can make up the difference in other areas - like Pokey's *"snacks".

What values have you been pleasantly surprised with - either in the kitchen or elsewhere?

I won't.. I just said that because he's still reading over my shoulder and I'm being snarky.

Tuesday Tunes

I've been working on a few Christmas knits and planning out a few more. I just wanted to get everyone else in the mood with one of my favorite Christmas songs. I remember playing this so much when it came out because Peanut, who was about 5 at the time, was a huge fan and I loved their harmonies too. We would put this CD on and hit repeat, letting it play all day long.

I think that was the year my family was glad when we left... oh well, it still makes me smile and if Peanut is reading this then I bet she is smiling (and dancing) too.

So what Christmas knits do you have planned this year?

Family tradition - revamped

Every year, when I was a little girl, my mama would make us a Back to School cake. Daddy loved that time of year because there was such a long span of time between my brother’s birthday (July 19th) and my birthday (Dec 15th) so cake in between was rare - except for September when we went back to school.

Welp, I carried on the tradition of making a cake when Peanut went to school but last year was the last time I would make a Back to School cake . This is because, with my folks so far away now, we don’t have any help in eating the cake - add to that the fact that Peanut is now away at college so we’re down a good cake-eater too. This left me with only one thing to do - revamp the tradition.

Would you like one too?

Hobbit loves jumbo muffins. She thinks that she is getting a super treat when I make them so I decided that this year, I would make jumbo muffins for her Back to School treat. The recipe only yields 6 when I make them jumbo instead of conventional sized so they are sure to get eaten - twice - by all of us… well, someone will get three probably but I don’t think she’ll mind.

What kinds of family Back to School traditions do you have?

A day full of firsts

She looks so grown up!

Today is our first day of First Grade in our brand new school.  Hobbit put on her brand new skirt and top, her brand new shoes and socks and even accessorized with her brand new headband.  She grabbed her brand new backpack with attached matching lunch box and begged me to leave - and we still had over an hour before we actually had to go!

As a kid, I always loved the first day of school.  I admit to being a nerd because I loved school - all grades, all years, all the time.  To this day, if I could be a professional student, I would.  I would major in culinary arts and photography.  Then I would major in French.  Then I would major in literature and textile art.  I could go on but you get the idea - just to earn those aforementioned degrees, I would be in school until Hobbit graduated and joined me.

Here's to hoping that the excitement of today cares throughout the year - wishing everyone a very Happy School Year!

It's that time of year again...

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This is the first school night of the year - wish us luck that she can sleep because tomorrow is going to be a very exciting day ~ new school, new grade, new friends ~ and I would like for her to have a fabulous first day.  Hobbit usually starts to lose steam around the time that school is getting out so this is going to be a bit of a transition for us.  Her school is starting an hour later, which is great, but it also means that she gets out an hour later too... right around her fussy, whiny, tired time.

I hope she does well.  I hope she makes friends.  I hope she behaves.  I hope that everything continues to be as smooth and enjoyable as this past week's registration has been.  Hobbit is excited to go tomorrow and I want that excitement to stay for as long as possible.  Last year, it was gone by the end of the first day which should have told me that that particular school was not a good fit for her.

So her outfit is laid out and pressed.  Her pumps have been polished.  Her backpack is ready and the lunch has been decided... fingers crossed we get some sleep and tomorrow goes off without a hitch.

P is for...

 

Prat.

See...

Yep, you read that right... Prat... like a Smurf but completely different.  I have had my fair share of dealing with Prats this past week.  The "Know It All" Prat.  The "Passive Aggressive" Prat.  The "Drama Mama" Prat.  The "Hypochondriac" Prat.  The "Superior" Prat.  Oh yes, it was week full of Prats.  I am hoping that this week will be better... and it will, because I choose for it to be better.

The first two Prats were reported to the proper authorities for harassment and general neerdowell behavior.  The next two were removed from my family's inner circle of friends and confidants and the last one was a passing annoyance that hopefully will not have to be dealt with on a regular basis.

Depending on your mood, Prats can be great fun to laugh at but generally they are merely angry little souls with low self-esteem who can only feel better about themselves through the constant onslaught of ill will towards others.  If you yourself are a Prat, please realize that perhaps you would have a better outlook on life in general if you removed the obvious object from your Nether Region - it's difficult to be pleasant with something so large shoved up there.  Plus, it makes you walk funny.

I hope your upcoming week will be Prat-free but if it isn't ~

Source: etsy.com via Amy on Pinterest

... and you choose if you are going to have that happy life, nobody chooses for you. 

The best way that I have found to be happy when your world is full of Prats ~ make your own little space in the world, pull out your project and simply stitch your cares away.  I know that is what I do when it seems as though all the Prats of the universe have decided to congregate on my front stoop.  There is nothing that says I have to respond to the Prats and their constant yammering.  In fact, it's better if you don't because if you don't feed into it then they don't have their negative behavior reinforced.

So grab a nice cuppa joe, a couple of sticks and some luxurious string - enjoy your moment in self created Paradise because it is most definitely a Prat Free Zone.

Want to join in the fun - click here.

Sunday Snaps

We had a most eventful week, full of excitement and sorrow.  Not many photographs were shot this week but what I did take may have already been shared so please, forgive me.  This week, we...

Learned a new trick to try on Monday for removing the odors from this yarn - one word, Dawn!

Met Montague

Spent time outside in mid-90 degree heat working a bulky weight sweater while Hobbit played

Continued our journey through the 100 Acre Wood - and realized that perhaps I do need my bifocals back

Finished Mykaela's Thumbkin Cover and made cookies - you've seen the cookies, here's the cover

Spent a wonderful final week of summer vacation with my gorgeous, witty, intelligent and sprightly 1st grader

So that was our week.  Come tomorrow we embark on a new adventure - 1st grade and PTO!  We're both going to relearn how to play nicely with others... wish us luck - one of us is going to need it.

Just sitting around... daydreaming

Pokey surprised Hobbit by taking the day off today.  They are currently on their way to their favorite fishing hole.  I love the fact that they have a fun little "Daddy/Daughter" hobby to share and build their own private memories on.  The bonus, is that I get a chance to sit around on a lazy weekend day and daydream because I don't have to think  of ways to entertain Hobbit... and this is where my daydreaming has gone...

I want to live in the pink house, on the end with a garden that has a gorgeous tree and ivy covered fence.

I want to make this sweater for me.

This saying is so very true and one I should remember more often.

Why do sexy camera bags have to be so expensive?

I'm going to do this next week.

I must find a pattern for this skirt.

I guess I should stop daydreaming and go start knitting - after all, like the quote said...