Hello, old friend.

Mark 10:43-45 "Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." What a humbling reminder! I tried to keep this verse present in my mind and centered in my attitude as I went about today. Try adopting this attitude while doing mundane, ordinary tasks, for example while battling the crowds at the grocery store (I speak from experience...). I promise it will change the way you see those around you!

September 4, 2013. The day an old lover walked back into my life. The day I said, "Hello, old friend" as I once again enjoyed this relationship filled with warmth and love. The day Starbucks brought back the Pumpkin Spice Latte. This day signifies the return of Fall Spirit, no matter what the thermometer might read or the weathermen might predict. I happened to be in Austin, TX for this grand annual event where the high that day was a crisp 102 degrees. And yet we sipped on, wiping away those beads of sweat with determination and confidence! We even developed a new term...."sweatering".

sweatering [swet/er/eeng]
verb
1. The act of sweating in a sweater in the beginning of September because you really want it to be fall but it's still 100 degrees.

My fall spirit is out in full blast and I am quickly becoming my obsessive self with anything remotely reminding me of this fresh season. Fall scented Febreze candle? Why yes, I picked one up today. Chai tea latte with breakfast? Fall in a cup, I always say. And since we enjoyed a nice day in the 70's today, albeit 90 degrees is just lurking around the corner for tomorrow, a pumpkin recipe was a must for my day of fall. With "Apples and spice" burning cheerfully away, I whipped up this {healthy} pumpkin bread recipe, dreaming of patterned scarves, riding boots (never to actually be worn on a horse), rotund little pumpkins, and trees with leaves aglow.

**This is the doubled recipe since it originally called for 7 ounces of pumpkin and I didn't want to waste or have to store leftover Libby's so I made two loaves - one plain and one with chocolate chips for the hubby. Oh darn, more bread to eat. How will we ever stand it? :)

Pumpkin Bread

From: http://www.itbakesmehappy.com/2012/07/pumpkin-bread.html

1 can {15 oz} pumpkin

2 eggs

2/3 cup applesauce

1/2 cup water

1 cup honey

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. ginger

Optional:

2/3 cup dried cranberries and/or 1/2  cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare two loaf pans with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, eggs, applesauce, water, sugar, and honey. In a separate bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the cranberries and chocolate chips (if using). Spread batter in the loaf pans and bake for 45-50 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Although a tad early, I must say it...

Happy fall, y'all!