I do love summer, but around August 2nd I get this itchy, twitchy feeling. I sort of glare at the waning growth of the flowers in our window boxes, with color draining, looking a bit limp - more leaves than flower buds. I think to myself that I would much prefer to rip out the summer flowers and replace them with mums, gourds, and pumpkins. I count down the days to September 1st, as I do believe that is when I have free license to drag out all my fall decorations and plaids, pumpkins, gourds, and all things Halloween - including Halloween trees with ornaments. Yes, September 1st has been dubbed (by me) the official day of autumn decorating. Of course for one full month prior to September 1st I pull out every September and October issue of "Country Home", "Country Living", "Home Companion", and Martha Stewart "Living" I have. My eyes drink in the delightful pages of rustic decorating, the beautiful fall colors, harvest tables sitting outside with pumpkins and apples adorning their tops. Usually there are tartan plaid blankets nearby to throw over one's lap as the air turns crisp. I yearn for open windows, cool nights, corduroy and tweed jackets, jeans, turtleneck sweaters in shades of oatmeal and charcoal. I love the trips to the orchard where we pick out our apples and pumpkins. We are almost there, I can just about taste it - and speaking of taste, what says "fall" better than pumpkin pie, apple crisp, pork loin, and a big pot of chili with cornbread. Yes, it really is my favorite time of year. And so, because I just couldn't stop myself, I made two loaves of wonderful pumpkin bread today. I wanted to share the recipe and a few pictures of the process and finished product.
I wish you could have smelled it baking - so wonderful, warm, and inviting.
It was so good. Below is the recipe.
Pumpkin Bread - makes 2 loaves
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
4 large eggs
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (8x5-inch) loaf pans. In a medium bowl, beat pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
In a separate medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually add to pumpkin mixture, stirring to combine.
Pour into pans, and bake for 1 hour, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. YUM!
And, just a few little Halloweeny things that I picked up at Michael's the other day - waiting for September 1. Okay, so the crow is already in our family room. I can't help it. He just looks like he belongs. Hope you're all doing well!!
I'm there with you...100%! I can't wait for fall!!! It is my absolutely favorite time of year---the weather, the leaves, the decorations, the smell in the air...well, I could go on. I was eyeing a few Halloween-y decorations at HomeGoods last week...I think that I'll have to get them.
Posted by: Kim | August 26, 2007 at 08:21 PM
I just happened upon your blog. It's so beautiful. I so admire your decorating. I can't wait for Fall either and have started purchasing fall decor. Blessings.
Posted by: Jill | August 26, 2007 at 08:24 PM
I think we are all ready for fall. it is so hot in Mississippi.I always wondered when was the right time to put out fall? i guess you answered that for me. The bread looked awsome!
Posted by: Brenda | August 26, 2007 at 10:35 PM
I am with you on the fall thing...it is my all time favorite season and time of year...everything about it is good to me...the smells, the weather, the celebrations, the colors, AND the FOOD!! Another thing I loved about your post...besides the fact that you actually baked pumpkin bread today...my mouth is still watering...but I was amazed at how wonderfully clean your loaf pans were (isn't that odd of me)...I think I need to buy new ones...I could have never posted mine the way they look...but you have to remember I've been married 30+ years...and I think I've never replaced my first set...hmmmm....maybe they're antiques!! Loved your blog...today...and everyday...
Blessings...
"T"
Posted by: Teresa | August 26, 2007 at 11:35 PM
A-ha! I see Cutco knives in the first pic. LOL...nightmare summer job flashback there. the pumpkin bread looks GREAT - can't wait to try it.
Posted by: Jodi W | August 27, 2007 at 12:42 AM
It looks so good. I must try this recipe.
Posted by: paula luckhurst | August 27, 2007 at 01:54 AM
You can alomost smell the baking over here!!!
I am with you though, I love the changing seasons.
Sarah x
Posted by: Sarah | August 27, 2007 at 02:23 AM
Hi Allison! I love your photos! The crow and the ribbons are great! Autumn and Winter are my favourite seasons! I love wrapping up in scarves and jumpers and hats (especially Cath Kidston ones..)! I've never had Pumpkin pie, it's not popular over here, but I'm going to try out your recipe (maybe when our kitchen is finally completed...)
I do the same thing as you-I love dragging out my favourite old magazines, and browsing through them..I even keep all my Cath Kidston back catalogues!
I don't think I got your last email, I'll check, but at first I had the Spam delete settings on my email account wrong, and lots of genuine emails were being deleted before I had a chance to read them! All because of that unsolicited junk mail!!!
Have a lovely weekend, I'll email you soon,
Sophie xx
Posted by: Sophiehoneysuckle | August 27, 2007 at 02:53 AM
What a great post, I'm with you all the way here, autumn is my favourite season and August is my least favourite month of the year. All those word pictures of the marvellous earthy autumn colours has made me feel really excited - not long to go now:) And I shall be spending a couple of weeks in New England at the end of September so shall have access to all the great decorations that the US has - not much is available in UK unfortunately. Must bring back bags of Halloween candy:)
Posted by: Rowan | August 27, 2007 at 05:20 AM
I totally agree! Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love any month that ends in "ember"!! I am totally going to Michael's tomorrow to scoop up a few things as well. You inspired me! Have fun and save a slice of that pumpkin bread for me!
Posted by: Meredith | August 27, 2007 at 06:29 AM
Just love your blog! I am also longing for crisp fall days,school buses,pumpkins and the yummy smell of pumpkin bread.
Regards!
Posted by: Beth | August 27, 2007 at 07:21 AM
We've only had one Aug. day under 90 degrees - and that was 89!! I am so redy for Fall too and you made me want pumpkin bread so badly - will try your recipe soon, looks great Kim.
Yes, the Fall/Halloween "stuff" is on the shelves and it's all so cute again this year, makes me want to buy even though I promised myself no more! I won't be back from England until a few days before Halloween so perhaps I can contain myself this year!
Here's to hats, jackets, boots, clogs and socks, plaids and fleece - lovely!
Posted by: Mary | August 27, 2007 at 07:22 AM
I am with you! September 1st each year is my time to head for the garage and pull out my two boxes of autumn decorations. Since I have PLENTY of Christmas items, I began a few years ago to add at least one autumn decoration rather than purchase anymore Christmas (unless I come across something at a garage sale or thrift store just too good to pass up).
I found out Starbucks will begin selling Pumpkin Spice Lattes tomorrow. Now THAT is a sign of autumn! :)
Posted by: Brenda@Coffee Tea Books and Me | August 27, 2007 at 07:35 AM
I love fall also. We live in the Smoky Mountains in NC and fall is beautiful here. Sadly, we had a late Easter freeze here this year and our states apple crops really suffered. We have a favorite orchard we go to a few miles from my house. They won't have the early apples, but will have some of the apples that ripen in Oct and Nov.
Now I have to go try that pumpkin bread!
Penny
Posted by: Penny - Mosaic Artist from Lavender Hill Studio | August 27, 2007 at 07:37 AM
that's funny...I am munching on some pumpkin bread as I read your blog! I made it this weekend, my favorite! the leaves are starting to turn on my maple trees and they are fallng already!Fall is the best, it goes way to fast!
Posted by: Gail | August 27, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Good for you! I think that September 1st is the starting gate for all things fall... and I'm headed to Michael's as soon as I get off work. I had no idea they carred Martha Stewart Halloween decorations! I'm so excited.
Posted by: Elizabeth | August 27, 2007 at 09:05 AM
Hey there! I am a new fan of your blog. I love fall too and have been ready for it since spring! The summers are not kind to us way down south and the heat has been unbearable this year!
Pumpkin bread is another favorite of mine! Your's looks so good! Makes me want to bake some too!
We don't really do halloween, but I am with you about everything else. I too love plaids, fall scents, colors, cooking, etc.
Thanks for sharing! Have a great day!
Posted by: oakwindfarm | August 27, 2007 at 09:30 AM
The pumpkin bread looks wonderful.
Posted by: carolyn | August 27, 2007 at 10:09 AM
I am counting down to Sept. 1 myself so I just had to giggle when I read your post. I guess we are all ready :) Thanks for the pumpkin bread recipie - I may just have to make this today to calm my fall cravings!
Happy Monday,
Dena
Posted by: Dena | August 27, 2007 at 10:53 AM
I kind of agree with you. I really hate to see summer go but like you, the colorless flower plants do begin to get to me and I want to plant mums!
Karla
Posted by: Karla | August 27, 2007 at 11:42 AM
I am sooo with you on that Fall thing. I have Sept 1 already set aside for decorating. (Check my blog)
I can almost smell that pumpkin bread. Yummy, I am going to bake some too!!
Love your new decorations.
I can't wait!
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | August 27, 2007 at 12:52 PM
I'm with you...ready for autumn, my favorite season! Frankly, I think summer and winter last waaaay toooo long! I want to wear long sleeves and velveteen and corduroy! I want to make pumpkin pancakes! I want a candy apple! And a caramel apple!
Yep, I'm ready, too!
Posted by: mom2fur | August 27, 2007 at 01:50 PM
I'm with you - ready for fall! I make myself wait for fall decorations until October 1st. From September 1st until then I make subtle changes and all signs of summer slowly disappear. I feature sunflowers and late summer/early fall things. The reason I wait until October is so I can leave much of it up through Thanksgiving. The day after Halloween I swap out some things - leaving most of the fall things up - with pilgrims and turkeys and things most definitely Thanksgiving and harvest. I'm ready for cool days and nights but we've not had it bad here in my part of the world. ~Adrienne~
Posted by: Adrienne | August 27, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Oh I know how you feel, Autumn and halloween are my fav time of year. I wait all year for fall to begin! The moment the leaves fall and the weather changes that's me all set for fall/halloween decorating..... I'll probably start decorating middle of September, although I have 'Pumpkin Pie' Yankee candle out now! Its been so windy, and dull at times it just feels right.......
Priscilla x
Posted by: Priscilla | August 27, 2007 at 03:51 PM
I think around here it will be an early Fall. I also make pumpkin bread..usually during winter. I put vanilla pudding mix in mine and it makes it sooo moist. Love all your finds! Will have to hit Michaels soon. xoxo, cherry
Posted by: cherry | August 27, 2007 at 05:48 PM