Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Ribbon

 

Batter:
1 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1 egg white
1 tbsp canola oil
1-2/3 cups all purpose flour
1-1/4 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/3 cup walnuts (I didn't use these)

Filling:
6 oz. reduced fat cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp all purpose flour
2 egg whites

1. For filling, combine the cream cheese, sugar, flour, and egg whites in a bowl; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat the pumpkin, applesauce, egg, egg whites, and oil. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves; add to the pumpkin mixture. Stir in walnuts.

2. Divide half of the batter between two 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Spread each with filling; top with remaining batter.

3. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Refrigerate leftovers.

 

Executive 2-acre lots available, with wonderful up-close views of Devil's Backbone and direct/private access to trails. These wonderful lots range in price from $195,000 to $225,000.  Please call me with any questions or concerns about building your dream home on one of these wonderful lots.

Olive Rounds Recipe

     Spring is finally here, the grass is green, and the weather is gorgeous! With those wonderful late season Colorado snowstorms, it seemed it was t-shirt one day, and parka the next.  Although we may have been shaking our fist at Mother Nature on the first of May, as we were shoveling that last heavy snow, we can now look back with a fresh perspective of what she's delivered.  The unexpected gift of an additional ski weekend or two with the family was a nice treat, but most importantly, the additional snowpack in our mountains, and a delay to the fire season are a tremendous blessing.

     Not unlike us, our poor trees, shrubs, and flowers were all ready to poke their heads out and get some spring sunshine, only to be forced back inside with the cold weather. It appears they've recovered nicely, and are ready to put on a show.  It seems only right that we honor the wonderful weather with our own coming-out.  It's that time of year when we also begin to poke our heads out, say hello to our neighbors, attend graduations, and head to the nursery to improve our "curb appeal" or perhaps just make some happiness grow.  So, invite some friends out... or in.  Have a dinner party, a barbeque, a potluck, or a family reunion. No matter what you decide, appreciate where we live, and what we have. 

Below is a recipe to get you started!

Whether you’re buying, selling or just considering your options,

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970-215-1776

 

 

Olive Rounds

2 cups Extra Sharp Cracker Barrel Cheddar Cheese

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup flour

3/4 tsp salt

*48 pimiento stuffed green olives

*(Drain the olives really well on paper towels)

 

Work all the ingredients except the olives, into a soft dough. If it seems too dry/cold, zap for 15 seconds in the microwave, so you can form balls. Divide the dough into 48 balls, wrap each olive with dough, until it is completely covered. Place evenly on a cookie sheet, then freeze for at least 24 hours.  Bake at 400 for 15 minutes, should be brown underneath.





Trees

This week is "book-ended" by Earth Day (Monday) and Arbor Day (Friday).  It is a good time to be thinking of trees – even if winter does seem to insist on lingering.

Trees add tremendous value to your property – but only if they are trimmed, shaped and healthy.

I suggest that homeowners invest $500/year toward the care and health of their trees. Our grand parents provided and preserved the lovely shade trees we enjoy today.  Their beauty and value didn’t happen by accident.  Let’s do our part.

If you ever sell your property, you will realize a very good return on the investment.  In the meantime you can enjoy them!

Whether you’re buying, selling or just considering your options,

Let’s Talk

970-215-1776

A Good Home Is Hard to Find

Every once in awhile, a report will come on the radio that grabs my attention.  This happened just a couple of days ago and held me glued to the local NPR station – even making me late for my daily workout group.  The Bove’s story is typical of what we are finding in Colorado, and the follow-up interview with Wall Street Journal’s David Wessel is spot-on.  Be sure to click on both links for the complete report, and remember –

Whether you’re buying, selling, or just considering your options,

Let’s Talk

970-215-1776

http://www.npr.org/2013/03/20/174739312/for-some-ready-to-buy-a-good-home-is-hard-to-find

http://www.npr.org/2013/03/20/174812896/analyzing-the-housing-industry

The Porch Light is On

I enjoy my early morning walk every day, even during the short days of winter.  Having lived in Loveland most of my life, I often reminisce about the history of the city.  Seeing all the porch and yard lights on in my neighborhood reminded me of one of Loveland’s unique, neighborly qualities:  In 1935, the city began using unmetered porch and yard lights to provide lighting to most of the residential streets.  “Like magic, residential post/porch lights, also called porch/yard lights, turn on at dusk and off at dawn in most Loveland neighborhoods.” (http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/index.aspx?page=765)  Since August, 1997, the required street lighting is paid by homeowners and developers.

It’s fun to be reminded of these trivial tidbits of our town … just one of many things that make Loveland a wonderful place to live.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or just considering your options,

Let’s Talk

970-215-1776