Andrew's 13th birthday

Andrew had a great birthday. I still cannot believe he is now thirteen. We played catch phrase with the cousins, enjoyed the last of the warmish weather and built ice creams sundaes. As promised here are a few more photos from the big day including his invitations and thank you card graphic. It was a fun night! Thank you to everyone who came.

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Pumpkin Bread

No photos - we ate it too fast.

Another great recipe - original found here.

Ultimate Pumpkin Bread

The best pumpkin bread you’ll ever taste.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup butter, really soft, half melted really
• 3 large eggs
• 1 16 oz can of pure pumpkin
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F and spray two medium loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, spices, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the wire whisk attached, dump in the sugar. Take the butter and put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, so that it is half melted. Dump it into the sugar. Add the eggs. Cream these three ingredients together on medium speed for about 2 minutes or until fluffy. Add the pumpkin and combine well.
4. In three batches, add the dry ingredients and mix gently until each batch is just incorporated. Scrape the sides between each batch.
5. Pour half of the batter into a one of the prepared pans. Fold the pecans into the remaining batter and then pour it into the other prepared pan. Bake side-by-side for about one hour or until an inserted knife comes out clean the top is golden.

Notes

Yields 2 loaves.

Holiday paper bows - how to

We made these simple bows at card club last night.  They are so easy to make I thought I'd share how.  

Cut paper - see template.  You will have three 1"x12" strips, three 1"x10" strips and one 1"x5" strips.  Fold as shown in photo, you will make a figure 8. Staple each figure 8 in the center.  Adhere the three larger figure eights together, then adhere the three smaller eights together.  Assemble and adhere on top of each other and top off with center loop.  Done.

November Card Club

Another fun night at card club last night.  We crammed in a bunch of Christmas projects with products from the SU holiday mini.  You can email me if you are interested in the supply lists.

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The last of fall and then 3 full days of snow. The Sandy bench got 22 inches. We shoveled and I swear we got over 2 feet. The boys spent so much time playing in the snow this weekend. Nick loved it and his new winter gear works great. He thinks his ski helmet is needed for all snow play.