Pumpkin Bread for Pigeon : : A Recipe for a Snowy Day

Pigeon watches the snow

Pigeon sat in front of the patio door windows under a fuzzy blanket as white as the world outside. On the other side of the glass, a million flakes of snow swirled down onto the lawn, filling in the gaps between the blades of grass with bright softness. It blew across the patio in billowy tendrils and melted into the pond beyond the bare willow branches. Winter had finally returned.

The house was filled with delicious sounds and smells. Behind him, Pigeon's mother twirled about the kitchen as fast as the snowflakes outside. Drawers spun open, cupboards banged, spoons clinked and clanked against iron pots and glass bowls. The usual scent of morning coffee mixed with the smell of fresh bacon sizzling in the oven. Hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove tickled Pigeon's nose as little canisters were popped open around a bowl full of flour.

Today we will have pumpkin bread, Mother said, putting a stick of butter near the stove to soften. Mother always felt like baking when there was snow.

a hungry visitor

Outside between the pond and the scant brush hills a stranger hunted for a meal of his own. Pigeon didn't quite know what to make of the furry-coated creature; he only knew that he was glad to be indoors, warm and dry by his mother's side, where there was always enough to eat.

The sweeping, swirling flakes made Pigeon's eyes drowsy, and soon he was ready for a nap. He let out a few coos and cries to let Mother know, and before long he was snuggled in her lap in their chair by the window. The house was quiet again, and very still. The only sounds were the gentle hiss of their breathing between the heaving gusts of wind across the chimney, the quiet music of their day as the world was painted white.

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: : Pigeon's Pumpkin Bread : :

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 and 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 6 tbsp butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 and 1/4 cups pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup each walnuts and/or dried cranberries (but only if you want to, or have them around)

To make:

Grease a 9" loaf pan and set oven to 350 (F). Combine Flour, sodas, salt, and spices in a small bowl. Stir vanilla into milk in a measuring cup. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy in a separate bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in pumpkin puree until combined.Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk mixture, until smooth. Stir in fruit and nuts, if using. Pour batter into greased pan and bake until fully set in the  center, about 60-70 minutes.