Happy 4h of July!!!

Happy 4th, everyone! Play safe!

Devon

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, everyone! I hope your favorite bunny brings you lots of chocolate eggs and you spend the day in the company of loved ones.

Peace,

Devon

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July, everyone. In honor of our nation's independence, I'd like to pay tribute to a great American hero who helped preserve that independence and became the most decorated American soldier of World War II. Audie Murphy, soldier, actor, and veteran's advocate. Gone, far too young, but not forgotten.

Happy Holidays!

It's a busy time of year, so I'm just going to wish everyone Happy Holidays! I hope you and yours find joy this holiday season. God bless and see you next year!

Devon

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Pumpkin Shortage

This past week, hubby and I were listening to the national news when Brian Williams announced that there would be a canned pumpkin shortage this year. He said, after Thanksgiving, Libby's canned pumpkin might become scarce because there was so much rain, the pumpkins rotted in the fields. I immediately looked at hubby and said, "Maybe we should pick up a few cans, just in case." He scrunched his face and answered, "Why? We don't even like pumpkin pie." "No," I said, "But you sure do love my pumpkin bread." His expression changed. "I didn't think about that," he said.

Then, yesterday, we were talking about food for Thanksgiving when he announced he'd like to have some pumpkin bread NOW. Guess he'd been thinking about it since we were talking about it the other night. Since I always make it for Thanksgiving anyway, I went ahead and baked.

Here's the recipe, in case you'd like to try it. This stuff is moist and spicy, and it's great for giving to family and friends during the holidays.

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease bottoms only on 2 regular loaf pans. (If you want to use as gifts in your goody baskets, use those small disposable pans, will probably make 5 or 6 little loaves.)

Beat together:

2/3 cup shortening

2 -2/3 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

until creamy.

Add to mixture:

1- 15 oz. can pumpkin

2/3 cup water

and mix until blended.

Blend together:

3- 1/3 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 -1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. allspice

Blend into pumpkin mixture until well mixed.

Lastly, blend in:

1 cup black walnuts (black walnuts give it a fabulous flavor, but you can use regular walnuts if you prefer)

1 cup raisins

Pour into pans and bake for at least 1 hour. I start checking at the 1 hour mark, but mine usually take about 15 minutes longer. You can test by sticking a toothpick into the middle of the loaf or touching the tops with your fingertips.

When they're done, allow loaves to cool, then wrap in wax paper and aluminum foil and store in refrigerator. These will keep for quite a while and they also freeze well. The flavor is at optimum after they cool. Try a slice with your morning coffee or slap on a dollop of whipped cream and serve as dessert. Enjoy!

Devon

Weekend Update

Sorry I haven't been around. I've had a lot on my mind over the weekend. Friday, my brother's girlfriend/roommate--who has been with us so many years, we consider her family--went to the emergency room at our local hospital. For more than a week, she'd had a severe migraine-like headache that kept getting worse, plus fever, aches, back and chest pain. From our local ER they immediately transported her to the UK Medical Center in Lexington. The diagnosis wasn't good. She has spinal meningitis. She's still in serious condition so prayers would be much appreciated.

Saturday, I got out of bed and went into the kitchen, only to discover that my refrigerator had stopped working. On the 4th of July, no less. Buying another one was no problem. All the stores were open, but getting it delivered immediately was another matter. So I called my uncle. Even though he had out of town company in for the holiday, he was kind enough to come straight over with his truck.

Anyway, just thought I'd report in since I haven't been around for a couple of days.

Devon

Kentucky's Got Talent!

There's a fella named Kevin Skinner from Mayfield, Kentucky--which is way over in the extreme southwestern area, near the Tennessee and Missouri borders--on America's Got Talent who's doing all us Kentuckians proud. The embed feature on YouTube is disabled so click HERE to see his performance. Turn up the volume on your computer. You won't be sorry. :o)

While I'm here, Happy 4th, everyone!

Devon

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you got a big heart-shaped box of candy, and enough love to fill your heart all year long.

Peace,

Devon