Oh this heat is killing me! And to be honest, it isn't even really that hot yet. Upper 80's. I just keep reminding myself 8 weeks (well technically less than that now-unless she decides to bake longer; and with this heat I'm willing to bet she will be "done" before that-ha! j/k). I have been living in my bikini lately. Well that isn't entirely true. When I am at HOME, I am living in my bikini. Oh, I bought a new bikini the other day. Very cute! Sean likes it, and said I looked good (or maybe it was sexy?) in it. Anyway, I won't post a picture of that! HA!
So I'm home alone this Father's Day Sunday. Sean went up north to see his dad, stepdad, and Aunt Oly. His Aunt Oly is in the hospital, as she had a heart attack the other day. I'm hoping and praying for her. Feel free to also say a prayer for Aunt Oly. One can never have too many prayers :)
So I'm home alone (well Bruno is here)...and I'm cleaning, doing laundry, and baking apple bread. I LOVE apple bread. It is easy to make, and sooooo good! I will be posting directions at the end of this (a picture will be soon to come-it is still baking). I plan on taking a loaf of it over to my dad; for Father's Day and part of his birthday present. I haven't actually gotten his real present yet. In fact, I can't even seem to find it anywhere. He wants a lavendar bush (or two), and I have checked almost every garden center around here. So in the meantime, I'm bringing him a loaf of bread-APPLE bread! You may be thinking that doesn't even seem to compare to each other, but you haven't tried the apple bread. I would be willing to give up (almost) anything I wanted for a loaf of apple bread.
I also need to really start getting things ready for the baby (who still is without a name-we have it narrowed down but probably won't name her until we see her). I am now 32 weeks and a couple of days. It just seems so surreal that I will have a little baby soon. Her room is not done. Her clothes are not washed. In fact, we are now going to have to buy a new crib (I'm happy about this) because the one Sean bought was missing parts; and those parts are discontinued because the crib is so old. Thanks honey!!! I need to pack my hospital bag, Sean's bag, and her stuff. I need to get my FMLA stuff in order. These last two things I have been purposely procrastinating on, as I'm a firm believer that I will jinx myself. As soon as my bag is packed, and the FMLA forms have been sent in I will go in to labor. I just know it. I also need to get a few spare keys made for the house. One for my father. One for my brother and sister-in-law. These are just in case I go in to labor, and none of my stuff is ready. Plus, my brother and sister-in-law have agreed to puppy-sit their canine nephew. Speaking of my sister-in-law, she is throwing me a baby shower next Sunday! I'm excited! I just hope my mom doesn't annoy me to no end, drive up my blood pressure, embarass me, or send me in to preterm labor. I guess that is probably too many things to hope for (I'm being realistic-you don't know my mom), so let's just hope and pray that I don't go in to preterm labor because of anything she does.
Okay, enough of this jibber-jabber. Here is the recipe for apple bread. I got it from cooksrecipes.com (though I have modified it a bit)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups diced apples
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 325. Grease two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans; set aside. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; set aside. Beat the eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla together, mixing well in separate bowl. Stir in flour mixture until just mixed. Fold in apples and walnuts and spoon into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pans before removing to cool on wire racks.
*Now for my changes. I usually use whole wheat flour, but it tastes just as good with white. I don't peel the apples (call me lazy!) and I don't add the walnuts. I add more cinnamon than the recipe calls for (I love the stuff-and it is good for your blood sugar). And to be really honest, you don't need all of that sugar; you could easily cut some of it out. I have made it both ways and I think it tastes a little better without so much sugar (Sean would probably disagree), but make it how you want :) You can also sprinkle some sugar on top of the mixture after putting in the pan.
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