Jolly Sand "Snowman" ~ and Pumpkin Bread

It's a good thing we have such a white sand beach, he looks like he's made of snow...sorta! Beside the fact that his eyes are shells, his arms are sea bean pods, and seaweed for a hat! :D and he won't melt, might just get washed away! This time when we walked the beach there were a lot of sea urchins washed up on shore again. There were also some sponges and many little conch. Most of the conch were alive still so I throw them out into the water.
We were so lucky it warmed up to 70 for Christmas, so that we could eat outside by the pool, because I didn't have enough chairs to seat everybody around the table. We didn't think that far ahead to borrow some chairs. It has been awhile since Christmas dinner was at my house. Usually we go to our friends house that don't have family in town either, and we all pitch in and bring what we like to grill or roast. This year they had to go to South Africa to handle some family business, and my cousins from Montana were here visiting my aunt and uncle so we had everyone here.


We did get two extra dogs to join us for Christmas...while our friends were away in South Africa. Which is only fair since they had Tucker last Christmas when we were out of town. The dogs each got their own toy that Santa brought them.


On my bird of paradise was new bloom and you could see the purple so vivid. I had to get a shot of it, actually I should cut some and enjoy them in a vase...it's supposed to get a freeze tonight.
All three dogs after all the gifts were open...Tucker is back in his room behind the tree.
It just wore Tucker out, he plopped up on the futon and zonked. He's used to being alone all day, not having two extra dogs and the little one's nose is always in everyone's face, including his.

Maranda has been wanting to make pumpkin bread since Thanksgiving. We finally had a chance last week since we were off from school and had some time.

We chose a recipe that seemed a little less...shall we say...bad for you than some others. Well to find out some made two loaves and this one made one so, not all that different. One thing when we put the batter in the pan it was very thick, just like the coconut bread. It made for a hearty bread that's for sure.
Ingredients:

-2 cups flour
-1 cup brown sugar (I didn't pack it, I usually use less sugar than recipes call for)
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp nutmeg
-1/4 tsp cloves
-1/4 ginger
-1 T baking powder
-1/2 tsp baking soda
-1/2 tsp salt
-1 cup pumpkin
-1/2 cup milk
-1/3 cup butter
-2 eggs

Mix dry ingredients, except sugar. Beat sugar and butter together until smooth, then add pumpkin, eggs and milk mixing well. Mix all the ingredients by adding the flour mixture to the wet. Pour into buttered loaf pan and bake 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes or until done.

I think the two loaf recipe would be good since it uses the whole can of pumpkin. I had some leftover after this recipe so I made some pumpkin risotto with it.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Thnaks for all your holiday wishes! Looking forward to the new year!