Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips

This isn't the type of recipe that one usually makes in the start of spring.  Pumpkin recipes are usually made in fall.

I actually made this recipe in fall, but then I forgot my camera at home over the Christmas holidays.  I just got it back a couple of weeks ago when I saw my parents in Mexico.

Curry-Roasted Butternut Squash and Chickpeas

Christmas is just around the corner.  We are a little over a week away from the big day.  

This week I saw The Christmas Carol at Ford's Theater.  The last time I saw The Christmas Carol I was in high school.  My dad often reads it to us at Christmas time.  He even read it to my mom and I last year. 

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Artichoke, Spinach, and Caramelized Onions

I have had another busy week.  I week ago I went to Spain.  I was back in town for two days before leaving on a work trip to San Francisco.

I was only in San Francisco for three days, and my days were mostly filled with work stuff.  I was still able to see the pier, the ocean, and some seals.  I also walked around Chinatown and ate some tasty Mexican food.  

Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cadbury Harvest Mix Candies

I'm in a cookie making roll.  It's a tasty habit, but it isn't necessarily good for my health.  It is the season of overindulgence.  

I have made other recipes between these two batches of cookies, but I wanted to post this fall themed cookie recipe before Thanksgiving.

Harvest Bread

I'm posting another bread recipe.  There is nothing as delicious and comforting as home made bread.

This loaf was a little less healthy than my prior bread loaves because it isn't 100 % whole wheat.  It only has a cup of whole wheat flour.

Quick Three-Bean Chili

This chili cheese fries combo was just a matter of happenstance. When I made this chili I just happen to have a partly used bag of frozen fries in my freezer and some cheddar cheese in my fridge.

I rarely have frozen french fries. I might by them once every few years. I bought them to make tin foil dinner. Have you ever made tin foil dinners?

Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

I don't make snickerdoodles that often.  When I make desserts, I am often drawn to chocolate baked goods.  Fortunately, when I venture of my regular baking rut, I'm often pleased.

Snickerdoodles often have a nice tender texture and warm spices.  

Roasted Parmesan Herb Butternut Squash

This is a Fall appropriate side dish.  Butternut squash are one of my favorite vegetables.  I like there soft and creamy texture.

My grandmother would often serve baked butternut squash with caramelized brown sugar on top.  I haven't eaten butternut squash that way for many years, probably since I ate it with her.  I am becoming nostalgic just thinking about it.

Whole Grain Pumpkin Yeast Bread

I made bread again!  I recently made 100% whole wheat sandwich bread and 100% whole wheat bread.  Those may sound like the exact same recipe, but there were subtle differences.

I have made other yeast bread recipes in the past.  Over a year a go I made pumpkin cinnamon rolls,  raspberry rolls with lemon glaze, and regular cinnamon rolls.

Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Blossoms

The pumpkin season is upon us.  The last time I went to the grocery store I bough pumpkin yogurt.  I talked myself out of buying pumpkin cheesecake ice cream.

I haven't been to Trader Joe's this Fall yet.  I remember last year I really enjoyed their pumpkin spice cereal.  I also tried a chocolate covered pumpkin caramel.  It was delicious of course.

Apple Pancakes with Pecans and Toffee Bits

A couple of weeks ago I went to a pumpkin festival at a farm in Maryland.  There was a hay ride and a corn maze.  There were also many pumpkin themed treats like pumpkin pie, pumpkin donuts, and pumpkin cake rolls.

The farm also had a market where they sold cider, baked goods, and produce.  I ended up buying a squash and apple butter.  Apple butter is a delicious condiment, and it was the inspiration for these apple pancakes.

Chai Spiced Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's election day in America.  I wanted to avoid the crowd so I work up early and arrived at the polls by 6:30 am.  I then preceded to wait in line for an hour.  

I'm grateful for the opportunity and privilege to vote.  I'm also really excited the election season is over.  

Curried Lentil-Tomato Soup

For a couple of days I have thought about reducing my sugar intake.  I'm thinking of a plan of action, but I'm still hazy on the details.

I know that if I try to cut out all sugar for an extended period of time, I'll never be successful.  I'm thinking about eating a small amount a couple of times a week or only eating sugar on the weekends.

Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, Apple, and Sausage Salad with Blue Cheese, Cranberries, and Pecans

What a mouthful of a name!  I didn't know what element to exclude, so I ended up keeping all the components of the salad in the name.  The name may be a bit much, but it is very descriptive and accurate.

I have a soft spot for salads with salads with butternut squash and Brussels sprouts.  I have made a salad with Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, caramelized onion, and dried cherries and another salad with Brussels spouts, butternut squash, feta cheese, and pecans.

Butternut Squash, Blue Cheese, Cranberry, and Caramelized Onion Salad with Walnuts

Last weekend I went to a pumpkin festival.  It has helped me get in the mood for fall even though the temperature is more reminiscent of summer.  Yesterday I wore a scarf to work, and it was too hot.

The pumpkin festival was fun.  They had a corn maze and a hay ride.  You could also pay a little more to fling some mushy apples with a sling shot.  I'm cheap so I didn't.  

Creamy Turkey and Sweet Potato Soup

During the holidays, I always eat poorly.  I eat mountains of food and gobs of sweets.  By the end of the season, my body craves healthy food.  

Poor food choices notwithstanding, I have had a wonderful Christmas.  I have seen all of my siblings, nieces, and nephews.  I have seen many uncles, aunts, and cousins too.