motivate me monday

this week we're getting ready for turkey day!

i love thanksgiving.
enjoying family and old friends, eating lots of good food and not worrying about gifts.
that's my kind of holiday!

this thanksgiving we'll be heading southeast to good ole chatt town!
i can't wait.
especially since the weather is about to get cooler and dad loves to build a fire.
the holidays are the perfect time to be at the "mountain house".

since we won't be in chattanooga for christmas this year,
dad has requested our favorite family brunch for thanksgiving morning.
so i'll be cooking my famous sausage and grits casserole of course!
and a new favorite. ... chocolate chip pumpkin bread.
it is SO good!

i've never been a fan of pumpkin pie or pumpkin anything for that matter.
but last year i realized that pumpkin bread wasn't all that bad.
add some chocolate chips, cinnamon and nutmeg and you've got quite a treat.
i tried a couple of recipes last year, but it's the one i found this year that i've fallen in love with.
can't get enough.
casey and i have been munching on it all week for breakfast and for dessert!

i found it in one of my new "go to" cookbooks.
entertaining with friends which benefits vanderbilt childrens hospital.
one of my favorite places in the world because they saved webb's life!
i recommend that you get a copy.
could be a great christmas gift for someone on your list.
it's got so many great recipes from the "who's who" of nashville.

so that's this week.
i've already made the pumpkin bread, it's in the freezer, and i'm on my way to making the casserole.
i've decided planning ahead makes life way easier.
i've been a procrastinator my whole life, so this is a new thing i'm trying out!

hope you get to enjoy this yummy treat with some special family or friends and a cup of cold, cold milk.
(the only way i'll drink it! ... with something chocolately and some ice)

(photo via two peas in their pod)

chocolate chip pumpkin bread

by entertaining with friends

3 1/2 cups flour (i used white whole wheat ... it's better for you!)
1 T cinnamon
1 T nutmeg
2 T baking soda
1 1/2 t. salt
3 cups sugar
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
4 eggs
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 loaf pans.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs.

Slowly blend in flour mixture to pumpkin mixture. Then fold in chocolate chips. Pour into loaf pans.

Bake for 1 hour or until knife inserted comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.