Why take only one day off when it's your birthday? As we get older, we need more time to... let it all sink in, adjust, savour everything...

On this date, in 1932, my Dad was born in the UK. Sometimes they would say he was born in Scotland, sometimes the story would switch and he would be born in England but grew up in Scotland. Not vitally important either way. Unless you are his daughter and wonder about these things, where you came from and who you should be.

My Dad has been dead a few years now. We never got along so I can't say I feel upset. I do think of him now and then and on his birthday. All those cards I bought and made over the years. Most he barely looked at and then misplaced somewhere. My Mom kept a few and then threw out more as clutter management.

Everyone has someone gone from their life. Someone who may not have been especially beloved but had a part to play. Write about a misplaced birthday for someone who never became famous but had some small, yet vital, part to play in the grand scheme of things. What kind of birthday memorial should there be for the people that time forgets?

This is the original recipe. Of course, I had to fiddle with it.

First, no pecans cause my brother is allergic to any nuts except peanuts. He may not even be here for the cake but you never know if plans will change or he could be by and hope for leftover cake the next day.

Other changes: added some vanilla (real vanilla not extract), added cocoa powder and did not have ground cloves. Also, because it's Thanksgiving we have lots of pumpkin all cooked from fresh pumpkin so I did not use any pumpkin out of a can for this recipe.

I probably won't serve it with a brick of cream cheese and fruit. It's a birthday cake! We have candles and I have icing sugar, butter and cocoa powder to make some chocolate icing. 

PUMPKIN GINGER PECAN LOAF

Serve with a brick of cream cheese (soft, for spreading) and fruit.

1/2 cup soft butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 2/3 cup unsifted flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup water
1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Cream together butter and sugar with electric mixer. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until mixture is light and fluffy.

Sift together dry ingredients, add to creamed mixture alternately with water. Beat well after each addition. Add pumpkin and beat until well blended. Stir in chopped pecans. Turn into greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan and spread smooth.

Bake in moderate oven (350°F) 60 to 70 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out on rack to cool thoroughly.

Makes 1 loaf.

What Your Birth Date Reveals About You!

Laura this is what your birth date reveals about you!

19 + 12 + 1964 = 1995

1 + 9 + 9 + 5 = 24

2 + 4 = 6

Your Birth Number :6

6’s are idealistic and need to feel useful to be happy. A strong family connection is important to them. Their emotions influence their decisions. They have a strong urge to take care of others and to help. They are very loyal and make great teachers. They like art or music. They make loyal friends who take the friendship seriously. 6’s should learn to differentiate between what they can change and what they cannot.

What did you REALLY want for your birthday this year? Within reason of the standard working person's budget and abilities to wrap up with a bow and transport in the average vehicle.