Afternoon Coffee Break

This is what I'll be snacking on with my afternoon coffee, and this is what I'll be reading. We've already had a piece of this Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf for dessert last night, and it's great! Chocolatey, a touch spicey and super moist. I'll be making this again and again! The easy recipe is below (courtesy of Carrots 'n Cake's blog):

Ingredients:

1-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 can (7.5 ounces) pumpkin

Optional: 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts or both (I used walnuts)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325*F. Grease loaf pan.
2. Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl; blend well.
3. Once mixed, pour batter into loaf pan.
4. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until top is firm and a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Allow loaf to cool for 15 minutes.

The October issue of The Wool Street Journal just came yesterday. In it, Sally Van Nuys (Folk 'n Fiber) has an article titled, For the Love of an Old Rug that I want to read first. Kris Miller (Spruce Ridge Studios) contributed a piece about Dyeing Sheep Curls that sounds very interesting. Also included is a cute needlepunch design called Pumpkin Seed Packet, a design for you to punch or hook as you desire called No Peeking!, a dye formula and recipe for a Pumpkin Crunch Cake that I might have to make next - and much more. Only a handful of issues are available as I've scaled back my buying these days, but if there is still interest when these are gone I can always get more!

We're back to a warm and sunny day today, so afternoon coffee will be taken on the front porch. Can't wait! May your afternoon coffee break be as yummy and relaxing!