Pumpkin Banana Bread to solve all life's problems

Lately I've been having a lot of worries -- from unemployment troubles, to dental freakouts and even waking up to a flooded garage this morning. I needed to do something to help me be in a better place.

Baking sort of did the trick. It easily went down my knot-laden stomach and helped satiate me for a bit. Earlier in the morning/week, I had several cavities filled which is only part 1 of a two part procedure. I'm pissed; I brush 2-3 times a day, floss often and rinse my mouth with flouride solution daily. Stupid genetics. Anyways, they had to take out an existing cracked filling, because a cavity had formed beneath it. When all was said and done, my dentist looked me in the eye and told me there's a chance the procedure killed my nerve. In that case I'd need a root canal scheduled next week. But only if the pain gets out of control in the coming days. I should have been worriedly thinking about how painful root canals can be, but instead I was in tears about maxing my credit card, which this will do if I have to get the work done.

And then this morning, when J.D. left to go golfing with his coworkers, he freaked out and told me the garage was flooded due to a crack in the hot water heater. We've already had issues with this FIVE YEAR OLD HOUSE in the past month. Our HOA hates us, with neighbors continually complaining about Woodstock's "bark" (he only barks three times and then stops and he's an indoor dog, so he only goes outside to do his business). One anonymous cowardly neighbor left a pleasant note that we had recently done yardwork (ourselves, can't afford a gardner) and needed to pick up all the leaves before they blew into their yard. A.) We picked up all the major branches and clippings... B.) it had been windy the night after, so lots of dead flowers and leaves naturally fell off our bushes in the first place. My solution? I stole rocks from their frontyard and buried what few leaves were still on the ground in our rocks. You want passive-aggressive? You got it! Then one of our sprinkler heads seemed to be broken and our water wasn't turning off. The landlord tried to make US pay for the repairs.... I'm over this house!!!

Anyways, while I wait for my water heater to be replaced and the return of hot water, I'm going to close my eyes and enjoy another piece of this tasty pumpkin banana nut bread. Pumpkin spice and banana nut bread are my two favorite muffin flavors, so clearly this was a good marriage.

PUMPKIN BANANA NUT BREAD

Ingredients:

• 4 c all-purpose flour
• 2 t baking powder
• 2 t baking soda
• 2 t ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 t ground nutmeg
• 1 t ground ginger
• 1/2 t ground allspice
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
• 3 ripe mashed bananas
• 1 1/2 c vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 c applesauce
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 c granulated white sugar
• 3/4 c brown sugar, packed
• 1 c chopped walnuts

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two loaf pans. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and salt until combined. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat pumpkin, bananas, yogurt, oil, eggs, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the flour mixture, half at a time, and beat on medium until combined. Fold in walnuts.

Divide batter between the two prepared loaf pans. Bake for 45 minutes NOTE: I used one large loaf pan and ended up needing about 63 minutes to cook it all. After the 45 minutes, poke the middle of your bread and check to make sure it's not crazy gooey inside.