Thursday, December 20, 2007

Of cats and carrot bread

Patrick is feeling poorly today after his trip to the vet yesterday. He had his annual check up, he's getting overweight, and had a booster shot. He's always been a bit sluggish after he gets those shots but he seems to be suffering a bit more this time. But he's having a fine time napping in the pet carrier than Mendy loaned me for the trip. He took to it almost instantly and hasn't been out of it except to eat for the past day and a half. I may have to get him one of his own.

He wailed the whole way over and back. It's heartbreaking to hear him. And no amount of talking to him and telling him everything is going to be OK reassures him. Wait 'til he finds out that I have to put him on a diet.

I was asked to post the recipes that I'm using for my holiday baking so this is the first one. This is a very old recipe. All my recipes are old. So I don't have metric equivalents. I'll probably post the other two recipes tomorrow.

Carrot Bread

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups salad oil
3 cups unsifted regular all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups finely shredded raw carrots

Beat the eggs, and add the sugar gradually, beating until thick.

Add the oil gradually and continue beating until thoroughly combined.

Stir in the flour, baking powder, soda, salt and cinnamon until mixture is smooth.

Stir in the carrots until blended well.

Turn into two well-greased 5 by 9 inch loaf pans.

Bake the bread in a moderate oven (350F) for 1 hour or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Makes two loaves. (I usually let these quick breads rest for ten to fifteen minutes before I take them out of the pan.)

I have a pecan pie in the oven right now. I had exactly the right amount of dark Karo syrup so it seemed like destiny. If it comes out OK I will take it the knitting night after I go to the shop dinner party.

9 comments:

lexa said...

I hope Patrick is feeling better very soon! My cats hate the carriers. They wail the entire time they're in the vehicle. My female cat gets motion sick, so she's the worst by far.

The recipe sounds yummy! I think I'll have to give it a try.

Anonymous said...

Getting hungry reading about your baking... The vet put Pepper on a diet... he has perfected his "I am abused" look since it's started, but he's starting to lose some of his resemblance to an ottoman....

Merry merry!

R.

Monika said...

Poor Patrick, diet is the worst! Thanks for posting the recipe, I'm going to try it. Looking forward to the other ones, especially the zucchini bread! :o)

Sue said...

Oh diets are awful for pets, and humans too but necessary to stay healthy. I think 2008 will be the time for me to go on a diet too. Maybe stick an item of your clothing in the carrier with him to comfort him. We used to put an old t-shirt in ours to keep the pets comfortable and the scent helps them to stay calm too.

Mauren Mureaux said...

oh, poor Patrick! Luna wails the whole trip too.

mehitabel said...

My boys love the carriers but hate going in the car! I usually leave the carrier(s) in the house and can often find one or another of them napping in there! Hope poor Patrick starts feeling perkier soon--don't want to have a sad cat for Christmas!

Lisa said...

Dear Patrick,

I am so sorry. I hate getting shots. The secret is to put up a really good fight when you're getting shoved into the box! Lisa tried putting me on a diet, but I just whine and she gives me treats. regards, Scout
P.S. please see if you can bring some of the bread over to my house.

Bess said...

mmmmm

I can smell them now!

hugs

Anonymous said...

The pecan pie was the best I ever ate.

Judy