Yummy “Pumpkin Gingerbread” To Celebrate "I Love Yarn Day!"

  

Julia Roberts does it, so does Vanna White, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianna Margulies and many others. Are you wondering what it is that they do? They all knit or crochet, which is one of their favorite hobbies, but these crafts aren’t just for celebrities or your grandmothers. Some 20-30 year olds are turning on to crocheting and knitting, joining the 38 million consumers who enjoy doing these crafts. Did you know that knitting and crocheting can improve your mood, mind, and body? Well it can so let’s celebrate as today happens to be, “I Love Yarn Day!” This day is always the second Friday in October, The idea behind this day to share your enthusiasm for yarn with those around you.

Many of my followers know that I cook and bake, which is what my blog is all about. But something many of you don’t know is that I also knit and crochet. It is my creative outlet, my passion, (besides food) my stress reliever, and my comfort. My favorite patterns to crochet are doilies, but I will crochet anything. I love all kinds of yarn and colors. 


As the weather gets deeper into the fall, and the days get colder, there is nothing like snuggling on the sofa, a chair, or your bed with one of your crochet protects. There is a special feeling when you finish a pattern for a throw (small blanket) or a scarf that you can wear and know that you made this yourself. When I am not writing my blog, or my novel, or even cooking/baking, a way to keep my hands busy and unwind is to know that my crochet and knitting needles are not far away. I get so much satisfaction when my projects are completed. Most of my house is filled with my throws, Afghans, doilies, and fun objects that are used for practical purposes which I have made in the past. 

Before I go any further I have to tell you about how I began to crochet and knit. My love for crocheting became apparent when I was taught by my grandmother (Nanni) at a young age. She never used a pattern to crochet but she would look at an item and create the exact same thing. That is how she taught me; I never learned how to read a pattern book till much later in my life. My Nanni was a Milliner/ Interior Designer by profession. A milliner is one that makes, trims, designs or sells women’s hats. Some of her many talents included crocheting, playing the piano by ear, designing clothes for herself, and being very creative. She owned her own business and called it “Roberta Originals.” I have many memories of going to her store in Astoria, Queens and helping her for the day. She would take me on the bus and we would go into New York City in the garment district so she could get her supplies for her hats. It was always an experience to be with her as she would teach me about many ways to be creative. My Nanni, you could say was very flamboyant in her ways. She always dressed to the nines. Her hats were so beautiful and always different. All I had to do is have a hat on, (at that time they used hats when I was a young girl) she would take a chiffon scarf out of her closet and drape it on the hat, add an ornament of some kind and a new hat would be born for me to wear. 

Nanni (grandmother)

Now let me get back to yarn and knitting/crocheting. I hadn’t picked up a crochet needle for many years. When I lived upstate NY, I was reading the local paper that they were having classes at the school. So I went one night to the class and that is when my life changed and took a different direction. I met a woman there who was going to be in my life, her name is Mary Ann. We became friends and kept going to the class, even though she was extremely experienced and knew how to knit and crochet (she taught herself) like a professional. We began having our own crochet circle with some other ladies at each others houses and she taught me how to read a pattern from a book. 

A whole new world opened up to me because I was able to create so many patterns from clothing to beautiful doilies. It’s not important whether she is miles apart from you, as a true friend will always have you in her heart forever. That is my Mary Ann! She is the person that told me about Ravelry, which is a free social networking website. It functions as an organizational tool for a variety of fiber arts including knitting, crocheting, spinning, and weaving. Members share projects, ideas, and their collection of yarn, fiber, and tools. You can see my projects that I have made if you click on this link Ravelry. 
I am listed as angellite13 on Ravelry.

Since then, I have knitted hats for the soldiers, so their heads will not get cold under the helmets. I have entered two of my projects into the county fair upstate and won, 1st prize, (Blue Ribbon) for crocheting Baby Booties using the thin thread yarn, and 2nd prize, (Red Ribbon) for a crocheted afghan called “Kittens in a Row,” plus many afghans for friends and family. I also share my talents for charity by making Afghans; making toys and fun items for the holidays is also fun to create.. 

When I moved back to Long Island, I was invited by another friend, Carolyn to join her group of woman who crochet and knit also. I was thrilled as I met a wonderful group of ladies and we also took turns at each others houses every Wednesday for what we call “Sewing.” As far as the yarn goes, my love for yarn has been a love for many years. I have bins filled with my stash of yarn, all types and colors. From thin doily yarns to thick yarns. A favorite of mine is Red Heart, as it is easy to work with. I also love the new fun yarns especially the yarn that is used for those new curly scarves called, “Red Heart Sashay.” So I continue to crochet and knit in-between my food blogs. I do hope that I have inspired some of you that have crocheted and knitted before to pick up your yarn and needles again, and those that have not, try to find a class at your local school or library. You will not be sorry you did. 

Now you can’t crochet or knit without a cup of tea and a sweet dessert. My recipe for today is called, “Pumpkin Gingerbread.” When you are making your projects you don’t want to have a gooey or messy dessert, so a bread, a plain cake, or even cookies will do. This recipe is not only outstanding for this time of the year, but the aroma in your house is amazing. It really gets you in the fall mood. Enjoy!                                

                                                    “Pumpkin Gingerbread”

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ready: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Servings: 24 (makes (2) 9x5 inch loaf pans)

A delicious bread that will fill your kitchen with spicy scents.

Ingredients:
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans. In a large mixing, combine sugar, oil and eggs; beat until smooth. Add water and beat until well blended. Stir in pumpkin, ginger, allspice cinnamon, and clove. In medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend just until all ingredients are mixed. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Till Next Time………………………………............................

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