The smell of fall baked goodness!

When asked what my favorite time of year is.. without a batting of an eye, I'd simply yell out, "FALL!" I don't think there's anything that I don't like about fall, really. The beauty of the changing leaves outside, the journeys to friends' and families' for holiday celebrations and the smell of fresh baked goodies filling my home, who could ask for anything more?!

The fact that my son, my first child, will be born in the fall, just seals the deal like a big huge bow around a perfectly wrapped package. I don't trick-or-treat.. but I love to hand out candy to the little cuties that run around our neighborhood. I'm sure once the little man gets big enough, we'll take him trudging along, out in the cold, trick-or-treating. Because, what more does a kid want on Halloween? Not only does October bring Halloween, it also brings 3 birthday celebrations that we must acknowledge. My mom's husband D will be turning 68 on the 27th. Jeff's oldest grand-daughter K will be turning 4 on the 27th, as well and K's little sister, O, will be turning 3 on the 28th of October. It's a busy time trying to prepare and send off all their cards and gifts as well as prepare for the arrival of this little one AND our Halloween celebration.

Then November brings even more fun and joy, along with December. We have 2 birthday's to celebrate in November; one being this little man's.. when he does decide to arrive AND my mom will be turning 43 on the 24th. On top of all that, we have to prepare for a newborn, accomplish the yearly task of Christmas pictures and sending out our holiday cards AND Thanksgiving.

Oh and you can bet that it doesn't stop in December. There are no birthday's to celebrate that month, however, there are some much deserved holiday's and memorials to celebrate and remember. Christmas, decorations, baking, eating, spending time with friends and family, more eating, remembering loved ones lost (Love you Grammy - My Grandmother) and of course, more eating.

To celebrate all the upcoming eating that we'll be doing and the celebrations that will be had, I wanted to post a super delicious recipe that my husband and I just love. It's delicious. I'll also post a varied recipe so you have a choice between the two, in case you have some picky eaters who don't enjoy some of the ingredients in the first.


Semi-Homemade Cranberry Orange Pumpkin Spice Bread

1 (16oz) package Krusteaz Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread Mix
1/2 cup plain ol water
1/3 cup plain Applesauce (we love Mott's!)
2 large eggs (organic & free-range, if you can)
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries, can also use fresh or frozen (we use Craisins)
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest, chopped fine

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Spray 9x5 loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, mix water, applesauce, eggs, cranberries and orange zest. Add pumpkin bread mix and mix until combined.

3. Pour in prepared pan and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center, comes out clean.


(Here's the variation...)

Semi-Homemade Pumpkin Spice Bread

1 (16oz) package Krusteaz Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread Mix
1/2 cup plain ol water
1/3 cup plain Applesauce (we use Mott's)
2 large eggs (organic and free-range, if you can)

*you can also substitute oil for the applesauce if you want a fattier bread, we like healthy, here, lol)

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Spray 9x5 loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

2. Mix water, applesauce (or oil) and eggs in medium mixing bowl. Add bread mix and mix until combined.

3. Pour in prepared pan and bake for 55-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.


Do you have a favorite holiday recipe that you'd like to share? I'd love to hear it and add it to my repertoire.