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.