Fall is definitely in the air. The mornings are crisp, the leaves are turning vibrant red, and it's actually dark at bedtime. I love this time year.

I knew fall had officially arrived this weekend when my house was filled with the smell of freshly baked pumpkin bread. Grace loves helping in the kitchen, and making this bread together was the perfect way to start our day. When we delivered a loaf to her grandparents, Grace beamed with pride at the bread she had made.

I'm not disillusioned enough to think this bread is actually good for us, but pumpkin is a nutritional powerhouse. It is high in fiber, potassium, and beta-carotene, which recent research has shown helps prevent many diseases including cancer and heart disease. When I buy canned pumpkin to use in recipes, I always get the large cans so that there is plenty leftover. Whatever I don't use in the recipe, I freeze in ice cube trays for later use. These little cubes of orange goodness can be reheated and stirred into oatmeal or applesauce along with a sprinkle of cinnamon to make delicious and highly nutritious meals.

Looking for more things to do with pumpkin? I love this craft idea and will be trying it as soon as I can pick up a small pumpkin. And check out all of these creative uses for one pumpkin.

Pumpkin Bread
Makes 2 loaves or 4 mini-loaves

3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 cups canned pumpkin
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs

Sift flour, soda, baking powder, salt, and spice together. Combine the pumpkin and water in a small bowl and set aside. Combine oil, sugar, and eggs in a large mixing bowl and beat for 3 minutes. Stir in flour mixture alternating with pumpkin mixture, beating after each addition until batter is smooth. Pour batter into greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 60-90 minutes for large loaves, 40-50 minutes for mini-loaves, until a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!!

What things say "Fall is here!" to you and your family?