Cranberry Pumpkin Loaf

I love everything pumpkin and any excuse to use pumpkin! And my new favorite combination is pumpkin and cranberry. The earthy, deep flavor of pumpkin combined with the fresh, tart pop of the cranberries in this pumpkin loaf is so unexpected. Festive enough for New Years dessert! 

What you will need:

½ cup canola oil (or 1 stick unsalted butter)

1 cup pumpkin puree (recipe for homemade here)

1 cup loosely packed light brown sugar

¼ cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or extract)

2 large eggs

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

¾ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp baking soda

½ cup frozen cranberries

2 tbsp turbinado sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and grease, or grease a loaf pan and dust with flour.

Combine the oil, pumpkin, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla and eggs in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth.

Whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt and baking soda in a separate bowl. When I don’t have whole wheat flour on hand, I use all-purpose flour and it works well too.

Add the dry to the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth (but don't overmix).

Scrape into the loaf pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Press cranberries into the top and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.

Bake for 50-55 minutes, until the top is browned and crusty, and a toothpick inserted in comes out clean. Let cool.

Enjoy!

2014 Pantone Color of The Year

To kick off the New Year {a little early, but that's ok} I would like to share the 2014 Pantone color of the year.  Guess what color I will be wearing later? I absolutely love this color, it is so lively, bright, and cheerful! I cannot wait for 2014!
Stay tuned for more color/fashion trends for 2014 later this week.


PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid

"Expressive, exotic Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and warmth"

The 2013 color of the year was Emerald. It served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity.

Source: Pantone

Radiant Orchid is a cross between fuchsia, and purple with pink undertones. 
It inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple that will lighten up any day.

Source: Pantone

Fashion:
It’s rosy undertones radiate on the skin, making a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. It is definitely an attention grabbing color. It was seen all over the runways for 2014, and even making its appearance on the runway.

Source: Pantone

Beauty:
A very contemporary and versatile shade, it wakes up the skin, giving off a healthier complexion. It has both cool and warm undertones; and is flattering on most hair, eye and skin tones.
It is seductive when combined with red and pairs well with its sister shades of lavender, purple and pink, which provides an assortment of lipstick and blush options.

Interiors:
Brightens up interiors by incorporating this hue in wall paint, accessories, or accent pieces. Matches great with olive green, deep greens, or turquoise or pale yellow. Also livens greys or beiges.

Source: Pantone

Have a happy and healthy new year!

Source: Pantone

2014 Goals

I cannot believe it is almost 2014!  This year flew by so fast! Before the new year, I would like to share some of my goals for 2014.  I always say that I will have new year's resolutions and that I will stick to them, but halfway through January that always goes out the window.  For 2014, I thought actually writing them out will set it in stone for me, especially if it is on my blog!

So here it is:

 

On my last goal, I thought I would start early with blogivation by joining some weekly link parties to motivate me to keep up with my blogging and creative juices throughout the week!

Here are some blog parties that I joined this weekend:

   
  

Raising Memories

Craft-O-Maniac

2013 Year in Review

2013 has been a big year for me, right behind 2012. 
Even though I did not have a blog in 2012, I would like to share that year in review as well.
Here's to 2014!  Never sure exactly what is to come, but hoping it's the best yet!