I've been short on time this week, as are most of you, I'm sure. I'm not hosting this year but we have an 11 hour car ride ahead of us to get to our Thanksgiving dinner. I love road trips, relish the chance to curl up in the passenger seat with a stack of unread magazines and books without the guilt of all the things I should be doing instead. While the girls are plugged into their electronics in the backseat, I love having the time to sit and talk to Sweet Hubby about our life and dreams- things that really matter to us, without the constant interruptions of our everyday life.
While I'm excited to go have these experiences and to see family that we don't get to see nearly enough, I'm yearning, before I've even left, to be back home, surrounded by my things and those only found at home sights & smells. I look forward to returning & closing myself in my studio to make the things I will be dreaming about while I am away. I am really such a homebody & love the idea of going places but the reality is always hard for me.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and that you have much to be thankful for in your lives. I am thankful for all of you and for your generosity of words and spirit. I especially want to thank all of you for your kind responses to my Who I Am post-such wonderful women you are.
Before I rush off to finish the laundry, packing and baking that is required before we can leave, I wanted to share with you a recipe of mine so that I could give a little something back to you. Enjoy and warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and I'll be back next week with a lot to share.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
1-15 oz can pure pumpkin
4 eggs, beaten
1 c. oil
1/2 c. cold water
3 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
3 c. sugar
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2. c. chocolate chips
Combine pumpkin eggs, oil and water. Mix flour, baking soda, sugar, spices and salt in separate bowl and add to pumpkin mixture; mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Place batter into 2 well greased loaf pans and bake at 350° for about 1 hour or until done.
Wishing you a safe journey, fun with family, and a very Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for sharing your creativity and inspiration. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Jen! We'll all look forward to your return and the start of your holiday decorating!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Linda
xoxo
Have a great time! Drive careful!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the recipe.
I love pumpkin anything!!
You sound just like me, I look forward to getting back home whenever I am away.
11 hours is a long ride. I wish I could read in the car. I get sick if I do that.
Well, Happy Thanksgiving!!
Rosemary
Thanks for that yummy recipe!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed Thanksgiving! The bread sounds delicious!!
ReplyDeleteblessings,
kari & kijsa
Have a safe ride and wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Manuela
i'll try this recipe - happy thanksgiving!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great holiday! I am so glad you liked the swap package - since I sent it I have seen a million other odds and ends I meant to send...maybe next time : ) Be safe!
ReplyDeleteHave a great Thanksgiving. Mary
ReplyDeleteHave a safe and fun journey!
ReplyDeleteMarianna
OMGOodness, that chocolate chip pumpkin bread sounds SO good right now. I'm starving! Must...print... Thanks!
ReplyDelete~Angela :-)
Jen,
ReplyDeleteThat bread does sound good. I am always hungry at this time of night.
Please have a safe journey and a wonderful time and know your snug home will be welcoming you home soon.
Janet
I hope you have a wonderful holiday. And, thank you for the recipe - it is just what I needed to put in my new Williams-Sonoma pan.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn - boy, don't your sentiments strike a chord with me. I am the same way...a homebody. Love being home, although I love going to others' houses as well.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip and drive safely..well, your hubby at least.
hugs,
Becky
Oh, gotta try this recipe. It's gotta be good since there's chocolate included :-)
ReplyDeleteHope your Thanksgiving is wonderful...safe, fun, filled with love and many happy memory making moments.
Hugs!
Kat
Wishing you safe journeys and a blessed Thanksgiving. Cammy
ReplyDeleteI hope you will have lovely days with your love ones. You described your feeling so good, and i can relate in so many ways. Enjoy food, laughter, fun and happiness.
ReplyDeleteBig hug from Aina
Wishing you a safe journey & wonderful Thanksgiving Jen!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Jen! Hope you have a wonderful time with your family.
ReplyDeleteRhoda
The sights and smells at my house aren't exactly festive, yet, but you had me laughing and then wistfully dreaming at the thought! I'm hoping for that soon! LOL!
ReplyDeleteSafe travels and happiest of holidays to you,
Melissa
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I love road trips for the same reasons as you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the yummy recipe. It is on my list to make this weekend.
Cheers! LA
Hi… just stopping by to say hi, and wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
ReplyDeleteEvery new friend is a new door to a different world…. "To be depressed is to be lonely; to have a friend is to be happy..."
- Guido
CIELO
It seems, so often that the best and most bonding conversations happen in the car. My husband and I have planned many a future hope and dream while on a road trip.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Becky K.
Thanks for the recipe. Have a safe trip! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh, that bread sounds SOOO good! I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat recipe sounds wonderful, and I can't wait to try it! I hope that you and your family enjoy your visit, and have a lovely Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Hope you're having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, Jen! I loved your description of those wonderful car conversations with your man. I wish I'd seen your choco chip pumpkin recipe a couple days ago...I would have used it today!
ReplyDeleteHope your trip was safe and wonderful!
ReplyDeletebj
Just wanted to say I love your pretty wreath ....I need to make one like that.
ReplyDeleteHappy day, bj
Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving and love your wreath!
ReplyDeleteThe recipe sounds so yummy. I hope your travel is safe. Whenever I travel, I'm secretly always thinking about how good it will feel to be back home...I'm not much of a traveler anymore because I prefer to be home, but there are times when I have to just do it. Of course while gone I usually do enjoy it, but still, would rather be home.
ReplyDeleteI'm a homebody as well, I feel alienated when I'm staying away, and can't wait to get home, and sew.
ReplyDeleteMelinda
Devonport, Tasmania, Australia
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteTalking about getting your baking done, reminded me of a Christmas trip we made one year, when the girls were young.
I baked Boston Brown Bread and Pumpkin Bread to take to Grandma's. Overnight, we had a huge snowstorm. Our driveway was steep and curvy, down to the road. We took a running start and got to the bottom of the hill, just fine. Then I remembered...the bread was still at the house!!! Never fear, the bread was retrieved and we made our happy 4 hour journey on snow packed roads, happily, with the knowledge the precious breads were with us!
Pat
I am playing catch up on my favorite blogs today since I am back from my vacation. I love love your post on yourself...actually all the ladies in my area loved it too!
ReplyDeleteAs for the felt...I have even noticed some adorable felt Christmas decor at Walmart!
Manuela, I'm finally catching up on some blog reading today! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are safely back home. I agree with you--there's just no place like home!
ReplyDeleteOops, I meant to say JENN! I'm obviously still hung over from turkey!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and a safe trip. Thank you for sharing the recipe, sounds yummy!
ReplyDeletelooks yummy I will have to give this a try, and I am looking forward to seeing that movie. Soo sad the director/creator had to get murdered before she could see its success.
ReplyDelete