Pumpkin Bread by Gina Brownfield
by Gina Brownfield
“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” 1 John 3:18
This recipe was given to me by my mother-in-law, Marty Brownfield, a woman whose “love language” was acts of service. She & Pappy were always kind to me, but at first, I found her a bit intimidating. While my parents were gregarious and openly affectionate, Marty seemed more reserved. As the mother to 3 boys and for a long time the only female in the family, she appeared “no-nonsense.” To top it off, I knew little about cooking or maintaining a home when I was first married, and she was a home economics teacher, a fact I found daunting! Marty knew this, but instead of being judgmental, she used it as an opportunity for love. Over the years she was always ready to help with any household task, letting me take the lead even though I didn’t know what I was doing, gently guiding, and only offering advice when asked. The first year in our house, we (really, she) wallpapered the kitchen and made 12 dozen cookies for a Christmas cookie swap. I could never have done either without her. She mended our clothes and sewed the boys’ scout badges for years. And she was always happy to watch the kids. Marty was so generous with her time and talents, while respecting boundaries, I never had any of the common complaints some have about their mothers-in-law. I came to see her as a second mom, and although she didn’t always express her love in words (although in time, she did), from the start she expressed it by her actions. I have many of Marty’s handwritten recipes and when I make them, I feel the love that she put into the many acts of service that she did for us all.
Pumpkin Bread
2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
3 eggs
2 Cups Pumpkin (I 15 oz can)
2 Cups flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp cloves
2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Beat together: sugar, oil & eggs.
Add pumpkin & remaining ingredients. Mix well.
Pour into 2 greased loaf pans & bake at 325 for approximately 1 hour. Test w/toothpick. Remove from pans to cool before slicing.
English