Whispers, Wisdom & Witticism

Good Morning my friends!  It’s very early here in the Secret Garden as I sip on my steaming cuppa tea.  Today, I chose Taylor’s Apple & Cinnamon tea because I am also eating left over pumpkin bread I made for my Bible Study Ladies Friday.  I thought the Autumnal flavors would be perfect for the beginning of a beautiful day. The sun is beginning to peak above the horizon with beautiful shades of pink.  For some, it has been a long hot summer, but Tuesday brings the Autumnal Equinox, which should be bringing cooler temps for most.  Even though I am in Florida, I find myself thinking of football, a cozy fire in the fireplace, hot mugs of cocoa, aromatic candles wafting pumpkin and apple smells all through the house.

The recipe I have for this moist and delicious pumpkin bread, I have had for over 55 years and it came from a dear friend.  Friends are wonderful aren’t they?  I mean your true friends who stick by you no matter what.  Sharon was one of those friends and she knew I was going through a rough time, as I had a loss of someone close to me….so she popped over to my house (yes, unannounced as we did that in those days) with a grocery bag full of the ingredients for her recipe of pumpkin bread.  She even brought along a loaf pan and the printed recipe, which I still have in her handwriting.  She asked me to sit at the counter while she made it and all she asked was the oven to be turned on at 350 degrees.  You know, she could have made it at home and brought me a loaf, but I love the way she involved me… without me having to actually make it.  It gave us time to talk while she stirred up the loaf and while it was baking my house smelled of cinnamon goodness and it gave me such a cozy feeling that I will never forget.  Sharon has since passed but I will never forget her kindness and the generous use of her time.  The printable recipe is at the end of this post.  

Friday, I made two batches of the pumpkin loaf recipe which allowed me to make a large loaf and 6 small loaves.  The individual small loaves I gave to each of the ladies to take home.

I have been working on styling my hutch for Fall.  I usually put out several items, then I live with it a few days and then remove most to simplify.  Kinda of like the old adage: which advises that before you leave the house, you should look in the mirror and remove one accessory or item. I know I want to keep the happy little ghosts, but I am still working on paring down the rest. Stay tuned for that look.

In carrying out my friendly ghost theme…aren’t these little guys cute?

And probably more traditional is this little vignette.  I don’t like witches but this little Byers Caroler granny doesn’t seem too scary holding her apples.  The headless horseman and his horse (also Byers Carolers) are behind the fence.  There is a jack-o-lantern and little black kitty cat in front of the fence.

Speaking of cats, this photo from our local news shows a panther just outside someone’s lanai in Estero which is a few miles down the road from the Cape.  We do have panthers and black bears in addition to the alligators and manatees.

The Captain has been flying in and out of Lexington, Kentucky for the last 3 weeks.  While on ‘down time’, he happened to be there on game day when KY played Alabama.  He also just happened to be wearing a Kansas Jayhawk blue Basketball Championship shirt which many of you know is about the same color as KY blue.  For any of you football or basketball fans, game day is special for the home team.  He called me to tell me that KY fans were Hi-five-ing him and yelling across the parking lot…”Go Big Blue”.  He said they were so friendly considering there is a rivalry between Kansas (KU) and Kentucky (UK) basketball. I told him the next time a fan was being nice to him, perhaps he should say:  “you do realize this is a Kansas shirt and not  KY shirt.”!  🥰. The Captain said…”I’ll just keep smiling!” 

Oh this is so cute If you love animals, check this out! check this out! 

How clever to use a bus for dogs to travel to play day.  Click on the link for the full story.  It will make you smile.

The Pumpkin Bread recipe is below.  It is a keeper.

Have a great and Blessed Day!

 

Rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.