November 20, 2007

Thanks and Giving


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.

39 comments:

  1. Wishing you a safe journey, fun with family, and a very Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for sharing your creativity and inspiration. Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Have a great weekend, Jen! We'll all look forward to your return and the start of your holiday decorating!

    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Linda
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Have a great time! Drive careful!
    Thanks 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

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for that yummy recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! The bread sounds delicious!!

    blessings,
    kari & kijsa

    ReplyDelete
  6. Have a safe ride and wonderful time!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Manuela

    ReplyDelete
  7. i'll try this recipe - happy thanksgiving!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Have 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!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Have a safe and fun journey!

    Marianna

    ReplyDelete
  10. OMGOodness, that chocolate chip pumpkin bread sounds SO good right now. I'm starving! Must...print... Thanks!
    ~Angela :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jen,

    That 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

    ReplyDelete
  12. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi 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.

    Enjoy your trip and drive safely..well, your hubby at least.

    hugs,
    Becky

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, gotta try this recipe. It's gotta be good since there's chocolate included :-)

    Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful...safe, fun, filled with love and many happy memory making moments.

    Hugs!
    Kat

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wishing you safe journeys and a blessed Thanksgiving. Cammy

    ReplyDelete
  16. I 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.

    Big hug from Aina

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wishing you a safe journey & wonderful Thanksgiving Jen!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy Thanksgiving, Jen! Hope you have a wonderful time with your family.

    Rhoda

    ReplyDelete
  19. 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!

    Safe travels and happiest of holidays to you,

    Melissa

    ReplyDelete
  20. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I love road trips for the same reasons as you.

    Thank you for the yummy recipe. It is on my list to make this weekend.

    Cheers! LA

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi… just stopping by to say hi, and wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

    Every 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

    ReplyDelete
  22. 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.
    Enjoy!
    Becky K.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for the recipe. Have a safe trip! Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  24. oh my gosh, that bread sounds SOOO good! I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  25. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. That 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!

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  27. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hope your trip was safe and wonderful!
    bj

    ReplyDelete
  29. Just wanted to say I love your pretty wreath ....I need to make one like that.
    Happy day, bj

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving and love your wreath!

    ReplyDelete
  31. The 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.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm a homebody as well, I feel alienated when I'm staying away, and can't wait to get home, and sew.
    Melinda
    Devonport, Tasmania, Australia

    ReplyDelete
  33. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread sounds delicious.

    Talking 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

    ReplyDelete
  34. 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!

    As for the felt...I have even noticed some adorable felt Christmas decor at Walmart!

    ReplyDelete
  35. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oops, I meant to say JENN! I'm obviously still hung over from turkey!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and a safe trip. Thank you for sharing the recipe, sounds yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  38. looks 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

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a note. It's always so appreciated.