Another full day here in Florida!
I woke up around 9am, no alarm necessary, and eased myself awake with some day time television and breakfast. By 10, I was ready for my morning running.
I swear, Florida has the strangest grass I have ever seen!
My Dad was already up and getting his morning workout done in the pool.
My aunt lives in a golf community, so I made my way through the little neighborhoods and around the lush golf courses. I started off feeling good. It felt strange to be out running in just a tshirt and shorts (no gloves, no hat, no wool socks), and the breeze felt fantastic. About 10 minutes in, I was completely covered in sweat and I has that familiar feeling of running in Florida.
I made my way back to the satellite clubhouse for some cold water and was greeted by my 100 year old Grandpa getting a cup of coffee. He drove himself down to see us, spend some time at the pool, and have lunch. It was such a fun post-run site, and he seemed impressed with my 40 minute run. Just an FYI, my grandpa exercises almost every day at his house and at the gym.
After lunch, my Dad, Aunt, and I hit the pool for some swimming, reading, hot tubbing, and napping.
We had a little downtime before dinner to relax and watch TV. My aunt happened to have Scandal on Demand, so I was more than happy to watch the season finale. We had some friends over for a delicious dinner, and my Aunt served her apple crisp and this banana bread recipe she found on my blog. The bread reminded me that I still haven’t shared this recipe for Pumpkin Bear Bread that I made last week. I loved it sooo much, it might be a new obsession.
I had been seeing multiple recipes for soups and desserts combing pumpkin and pear.
I had this feeling that they should come together and make a bread, but I wasn’t sure how.
Right around this time, I saw the perfect recipe in Vegetarian Times Magazine. I was so excited to try it, that I doubled the recipe and baked up two moist loaves.
I could barely wait to try this bread and cut myself a heaping slice while it was still warm. I don’t know if it is the pastry flour or what, but this bread is incredibly soft and melts right in your mouth. I ate it plain, no spreads required, but I’m sure it would be wonderful doused in a winter jam or fried up for French toast. I share these ideas with you now as I know the Midwest is being blanketed with snow. Even if there is cold outside your door, this bread will warm up your home! I promise! And if not, I can send some sunshine : )
Have you tried any new quick breads?
What are you baking this week?
I am planning on getting my hands on some of my grandma’s old recipes (my aunt has them all),
so I will have lots of new old things to try when I get home!
Pumpkin-Pear Bread
From Vegetarian Times October 2012
Ingredients
1-1/4 cups sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1/2 cup low-fat milk
3/4 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
15-ounce can pears, drained and diced
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9″x5″ loaf pan with cooking spray.
Whisk together sugar, flours, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt in bowl. Set aside.
Whisk together oil and egg in bowl until smooth. Whisk in milk, then pumpkin and vanilla.
Stir flour mixture into oil-egg mixture until just combined. Fold in pears.
Spread batter in the prepared loaf pan. Bake 45 to 55 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Just woke up to snow here in Chicagoland! I’m SO jealous of your sunny and warm looking pics! 🙂 What a delicious looking bread–I’ve never made a quick bread with pear in it. Yum!
This was my second time. There is another spiced pear bread on here somewhere and both are Awesome! Especially this time of year. Hope that you aren’t too cold or too icy! I don’t think the BOY has left the house in days and he may be there until he picks me up on Monday. Ha ha!
Pumpkin and pear are two of my favorite fall/winter flavors. I bet they are great together in this bread. Great idea!
Yes, you will love it! I think the pastry flour makes the bread even lighter too. Happy Baking : )
Oh lord that pool looks gorgeous! We’re going to florida in April. I can’t wait!
What part??? It’s definitely great to get away and I was 100% more relaxed before we even took off : )
Oh, this makes me long for a Florida run! I have been up in NY for a week now, and I’m missing being able to run in shorts and a t-shirt in FL! The pumpkin pear bread sounds delicious — I nice change of pace from regular pumpkin bread!
Ha ha! We definitely switched running environments. I hope that you are enjoying your time up north. You are missing a bit of a cold spell so wait until Wednesday to come back home : )
Sigh- Florida looks amazing. And I don’t even remember what it feels like to run in shorts and no layers!
Have a great time with your family!!! (How cute is your grandpa?!)
Thanks! He is so cute and sweet…I just look at him living his life down here, living alone, and I am amazed more and more each minute! My family is quite lucky and we know it! Thanks for the comment! Stay warm!
I so wish I was in Florida! It looks warm and sunny and wonderful with no snow on the ground. I love that fountain – so beautiful! Pumpkin bread with pears in it sounds amazing. Such a good idea for flavor combinations.
I’m thinking that there are more options for these too in other foods. Maybe pumpkin pear soup?! Florida is pretty incredible right now…especially since many people are visiting and appreciate what they are missing back home : ) Have a wonderful and white Xmas!
What I wouldn’t give to run outside right now in shorts and a tank!
I never would have thought to combine pumpkin and pear, but that bread looks melt-in-your-mouth amazing. And, as french toast?! YUM.
I didn’t have any left to make French Toast so I will have to save some for next time!
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