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.

The One That Got Away

Yesterday needed to be an exciting, busy day for me to get my mind off a phone call that started my morning. I received what I imagine would have been the perfect job for me and for where I'm at right now. Except.... it was in Nevada. I'm in Arizona. I interviewed over the phone and then was flown out to Reno to meet all the co-workers and coaches who would be working with this position. It was very enticing. I was sold immediately upon my flight out to Reno.

But the mind can play some gnarly tricks on you when you've steadily been unemployed for the better part of three months. I really wanted the job. I still do. However, it was not practical for me and my situation so I had a long inner struggle trying to figure out whether or not I should take the opportunity. In order to keep my mind from exploding, I tried to keep busy with J.D. and Woodstock, allowing a day to really explore the Phoenix area and what I would be missing if I took that job.

We spent the afternoon picnic-ing and hiking around South Mountain Park, a network of regional mountain trails that overlooks Downtown Phoenix and the entire Valley of the Sun.

Sometimes a girl just needs some time alone with her dog to think.

By the end of the day, I'd talked to enough people who've done the long distance thing in favor of a job, I spoke with former co-workers, friends and family. The results came back split. I needed a break for dinner. Spaghetti squash it was then, with a zucchini asparagus marinara sauce atop. As delicious as it was, I was too nervous to eat.

Eventually I went to bed, tossing and turning and dreading the call I'd have to make in the a.m. With a heavy heart, I decided to turn down the position this morning. But, I freaked out. When the director didn't answer, I left a voicemail. How cowardly was that?!? Who leaves a voicemail??? Either way, I'm still hopelessly unemployed and in search of the right opportunity. It's so hard when companies aren't hiring and the positions I've applied for online keep getting reposted in search of new candidates. I wonder if I'm going to find as good a job in this area as what Reno had promised me...

It's funny because I've up and left so many times in my life for jobs that promised very uncertain futures. I packed up and moved to France with no idea where I'd be living. After living in Europe, I jumped into a job in collegiate athletics, a career that would be extremely demanding, despite not really having any previous experience in the field. I up and left my job in Stockton to move to Arizona with no promise of employment anywhere on the horizon. I've seemed to land on my feet each time. But I decided not to take the leap in this specific situation.

I just hope I made the right call; it takes a lot of courage to say no to a job you really want. Now I'm going to drown my sorrows in an afternoon of baking. Sleeping in late didn't help elevate my confidence level today. Maybe pumpkin banana bread will do the trick.