Pumpkin Bread

In the fall, there's nothing like coming home to the smell of baking bread in the oven. My husband and children especially love pumpkin bread. It's one of the best autumn treats! While searching for tasty and healthy recipes online, I came across this simple recipe on "Cooking with Cakes" baking blog. While the site's pumpkin bread is smothered with cream cheese frosting, I left my pumpkin bread plain and simple. No one in our house complained, because they didn't know it was an option! Moist and full of flavor, it's a great treat for breakfast and snacks. And it was a wonderful gift (recipe included) for our new neighbors. So get baking and welcome fall with this easy recipe!

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pumpkin Bread

INGREDIENTS --

• 15 oz Libby's Pure Pumpkin Filling
• 2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup White Sugar
• 1/2 cup Light or Dark Brown Sugar
• 5 Large Egg Whites
• 1/4 cup Canola Oil
• 1 1/2 tsps Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
• Crisco to grease (Note: you can use Spray Pam)

DIRECTIONS --

1. In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients (flour, white sugar, baking soda, salt). In another bowl, combine the wet ingredients (pumpkin, egg whites, oil, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon), mixing thoroughly until smooth. (Note: make sure brown sugar is loose before combining with wet ingredients - it will be easier to combine and will avoid leaving clumps.) When ready, add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir thoroughly, utilizing an electric mixer if necessary to create a thick, smooth mixture. 
2. Pour pumpkin mix into well-greased loaf pan (mine was 9X5) and bake in oven middle rack at 350F for 60 - 70 minutes until cooked through. 
3. When finished, set aside and allow to cool.
4. When bread has cooled, carefully remove from loaf pan and place on wire rack. Immediately plate and serve. (Without the frosting, nutrition facts are -- Calories: 257 Fat: 8g, Carbs 40g Protein 6g)

You can find the complete recipe, including the frosting, at:

http://cookingwithcakes.com/brown-sugar-cinnamon-pumpkin-bread/

Bedroom Bliss with Feng Shui

Searching for easy ways to update your master bedroom? There are many ideas for creating a new look, which usually involve spending a good amount of money and effort. But the simplest way can be found in the principles of Feng Shui.

I've learned a lot about the ancient art of Feng Shui by reading "Home Design with Feng Shui" by Terah Kathryn Collins. It's full of easy ways to create better "Chi" or the flow of energy throughout your home.

Howzz.com

So for a master bedroom transformation, here a few ideas:

* Make it a place where "all the senses are celebrated" with candles, romantic music, lovely bedding, and beautiful art. A cozy, relaxing bed can be your haven from the world!

* Place your bed where you have a view of the door. And the view from your bed is important, too. Looking to the outdoors or nice artwork is a great way to end and start your day. The view from your bed can have an impact on your view of the world!

* Move photos of children and family to another room or place them in an armoire with closed doors. Your romantic life will improve if there aren't others "staring at you". This sounds kind of creepy but it does make sense!

* Choose furniture that creates pleasing thoughts. Nothing that reminds you of divorce, death, etc.
Also make sure all the bedroom furniture is comfortable with no sharp edges.

Country Living

* Try to have plenty of space and pretty nightstands on each side of the bed.

* Remove any clutter throughout the room, including any mess under the bed.

* Dedicate the room to being a bedroom. No exercise equipment or desks allowed.

* Choose art that is serene and romantic, nothing too busy. And be sure to hang only lightweight art over the bed.

HGTV Remodels

* Try not to hang mirrors or at most only one. Mirrors can keep a bedroom awake all night, according to the principles of Feng Shui. If there is a mirror in your bedroom, try to use a small one that's far from the bed. And covering mirrors at night has been shown to help cure insomnia!

* Add fresh flowers or green plants but be sure to immediately remove any dying greenery.

* Use soft lighting throughout the room. Instead of bright overhead lighting, you can add ambiance with floor and table lamps. Plus there's nothing like candles for instantly creating a romantic mood!

Finally, I discovered an interesting fact when I researched the definition of Feng Shui's "Chi". Chi, the twenty-second letter in the Greek alphabet, is translated in traditional Latin as "ch as in Christ." And like Chi, Christ is a circulating life force that impacts us all. What a great connection!

Halloween Candy Leftovers?

Besides devouring it, what should you do with extra Halloween candy? 

Halloween Candy Leftovers by lgb321 featuring gift packs

Freeze it! Frozen chocolate is great, plus you'll eat it slower. Divide it! Put a few candies in ziploc bags, then slowly give it out as small treats or in lunch bags. Re-gift it! Children and adults would love receiving candy and a gift card as birthday gifts. Bake it! Use melted chocolate in cupcakes and crush hard candies to use as sprinkles. Donate it! Many drugstores accept leftover candy to donate later. Or you can bag it all up and take to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, hospitals, or nursing homes. (And, of course, always throw away any home baked goodies or candy in opened wrappers.) It'll take some willpower, but these ideas should help save a few calories as we go into the holiday season!

Trick or Treat in Comfort

Passing out Halloween candy is one of the highlights of my year. It brings back memories of my children dressed up as their favorite heroes and cartoon characters. Plus, they felt so special as their Dad and I carted them up and down the street in their toy wagon.
While our trick or treating tradition is gone, Halloween is still great fun. And it's definitely more relaxing in comfy clothes with a cold "beverage" and a few friends to laugh with as the front door opens to the pint-size monsters and princesses. Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat from Old Navy by lgb321 featuring a blue jean jacket

Old Navy petite jeans
oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy Mens Disney The Nightmare Before Christmas Tees Size XXXL...
oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy blue jean jacket
pinterest.com

Favorite Dress

Love the look of a shift dress - plus gray accessories!

Favorite Dress by lgb321 featuring grey shoes

Also I love designing sets on Polyvore. Trying out new clothes and graphic designs isn't always easy. They might not always turn out right, but I do have fun experimenting!

Fiesta Crockpot Chicken

Over the years, "Taco Tuesday" has meant an easy meal with taco meat, soft tortillas, handfuls of cheese, and mounds of sour cream.

But to break the monotony of ground meat and packaged Mexican seasoning, I came up with a tasty chicken version. It's one of my favorite recipes that can be used in so many different meals. Fiesta Chicken can fill a taco, top a salad, create a casserole, or just be eaten with some melted cheese and a dollop of sour cheese. Yum!

Plus, it's made in the crockpot. One more reason to love "Taco Tuesday"!

Fiesta Crockpot Chicken

4 boneless chicken breasts (cooked in the crockpot and shredded)
1 can black beans (drained)
1 can corn (drained)
1 jar salsa
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin

Cook the chicken breasts for 4 hours on high. Then shred with a fork. Add rest of ingredients and cook on low for 4 hours.

Then, as mentioned above, serve Fiesta Chicken in any Mexican dish you like. Enjoy!

Neutral Home Design

As my children have gotten older, I've started thinking about decorating in neutral colors - even white! Here are a few of my favorite styles for inspiration.

Ballard Designs

Ballard Designs

Wayne Windham, Architect

The Enchanted Home

Many of these neutral looks can easily be added with duck cloth slipcovers. Acquiring neutral covers can be done through a seamstress, bought online or handmade (which is way beyond my sewing skills!) While my girls' muddy hands and sticky fingers are part of the past, I'll still have a problem keeping my Jack Russell and Yorkie off the bed!

I really love decorating, but I need to remember the many blessings I already have. Living in a well-decorated home makes me happy, but living with Christ needs to be my ultimate goal.