Apple Pecan Bread

So I had a few apples laying around that were past their prime, but I hated the idea of tossing so much good food in the compost.  I don't like applesauce, so that wasn't an option.  Then I came across this recipe for Apple Pecan bread.  It sounded perfect since I also have some pecans in the pantry being under-appreciated.   So today, instead of getting my homework done, I baked.

Preheat the oven to 325 and then start by peeling the apples and dicing them up.  The recipe calls for two cups diced apples, which actually only took two apples.

I used my old school pint-size food processor to cut em up, but eventually I got to two cups.

While I was in chopping mode, I went ahead and chopped 1 cup of pecans.  I don't like huge chunks in my bread, so I grounded it pretty fine.  The rest of the ingredients are pretty common  - I had them all on hand.

I think what really makes this bread are the spices.  I used cinnamon, a pinch of cardamom (the secret to every great Chai), and a pinch of ginger since I didn't have nutmeg.  Oh, and as always in baking, I let the eggs sit on the counter an hour or so to get to room temperature.  So then I combined most the dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, salt, and spices and mixed them together.

And yes, I kept my promise to dust off those pyrex bowls and actually use them.  This is one of my Butterprint ones.  Then I put the sugar and oil into the mixer, beat well.  Add the eggs and beat again, then add the vanilla and mix together.  Now turn the mixer on low and slowly add the bowl of dry ingredients just until combined.  Then fold in the apples and pecans.  The batter will be thick, sticky, and FILLED with spicy apple-pecan goodness.

Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan (the bread doesn't really rise, so it's ok if it's a little full).  Stick it in the oven and back for 60-75 minutes or until your test toothpick comes out clean.  Let the bread cool as long as you can stand it, then enjoy!

I dusted mine with powdered sugar.  Be warned, this stuff is addictive.  It's a bit like banana bread, just ever so sweet and spicy and when it's warm......
Our loaf is almost half gone already!
Here's the recipe, minus my ginger substitution:

Apple Pecan Bread
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pinch fresh ground nutmeg
1 pinch cardamom (optional)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups apples peeled, cored, and diced
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped

Enjoy!

Pretty Pretty Pyrex

I had a few free minutes this morning after our doctor's appointment - so I took the liberty of indulging myself in one of my favorite pastimes....thrifting.  It is sincerely addictive.  I love thrifting because a) there are things coming and going into the store all the time, so you never know what treasures you'll find and b) it's cheap!  Today, I feel like I hit the pyrex jackpot.  I've been collecting pieces here and there as I find them and today I literally struck gold.

I found this entire set of Americana pattern mixing bowls and dishes!  Isn't the design just so rich, warm, and delicious?

 My interest in vintage pyrex got kicked off about a year or so ago when my family and I were digging through old storage buildings at our farm and found entire sets of Spring Blossom and Butterfly Gold mixing bowls still in the box.  I took them home and have shamefully kept them in those boxes in the pantry.  Since then I've picked up pieces from Frost Garland and my favorite is Butterprint.  I have just a couple of the turquoise beauties.

They're all sitting on shelves lovingly being displayed, but that really needs to change.  This stuff was meant to be used!  And who wouldn't love to use such beautiful things when cooking?  It brings a whole new meaning to the joy of cooking!  Without going too far down the rabbit hole, I also use these pretty measuring spoons with hummingbirds I found in Fredericksburg a few years back.  

It's a bit fancy for measuring spoons, but every time I bake with them I think of my Granny who loved the unexpected joy of a hummingbird in her garden.  But back to pyrex.  Why shouldn't something so utilitarian be pretty?  I've always had a warm spot in my heart for those pyrex coffee mugs that adorn every old church I can think of.  You know....these guys...

If your church ever ever gets rid of them....I want them!  Please please please give me a call.  You can learn everything you ever wanted to know about Pyrex and then some, find what will surely become your favorite pattern, and begin our mutual addiction with the help of the lovely folks at Pyrex Love and Pyrex Collective.  Happy hunting!

Mmmm.....Smells Like Leather

My birthday was a couple weeks ago now, but I'm still opening presents!  My mom came to celebrate with me last weekend and took me boot shopping on behalf of the whole family.  I'm not sure she knew what she had signed up for.  I love most every boot.  I love the simple Justins to the ornate Old Gringo's, tall vintage boots, those with fringe...picking out my new pair was going to be a difficult choice.  I love it all, but am crazy picky.  After much deliberation, walking back and forth, meditation, and helpless puppy dog glances at my mom...
I choose....

these beautiful bluebird Dan Post boots.  We ordered a special pair because those in the store were stained just so (I told you I was picky) and they arrived in the mail today!  My face lit up and I was like a toddler opening the illustrious tickle-me-Elmo at Christmas...much to my co-workers amusement.  They smell delicious!  That new boot smell is better than anything else.  Breathe it in.....mmm....sweet sweet leather.  Now I need a plethora of excuses to show them off and break them in.  This will probably include, but is not limited to - boot scootin' at the Broken Spoke, Gruene Hall, antique weekend in Warrenton isn't far away, maybe we'll just have to have another barn dance at the family farm.

These boots are ready to see the world - where would you take them?