RITA and a RECIPE

   I have been so busy lately that I completely forgot about the Daring Bakers Challenge this month.  I have been getting my house ready for a visitor by painting the dining room.  You see, RITA is coming to stay with us.  She left France last week.  I hope to have many coffees, luncheons and dinners to welcome RITA into our home in the upcoming months.  Keep checking back.  I'll introduce you the moment she arrives.
   In the meantime, I've been doing some baking.  Here is a recipe for Apple Spice Bread.  I liked it so much that I'm planning on making another loaf as soon as I'm finished painting!

                                           APPLE SPICE BREAD

• 1 1/3 cup flour
• 3/4 teaspoon soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups apples, preferably organic, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped

   Mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves in a bowl and set aside.  Mix sugar with the oil in a large bowl; add the eggs and vanilla, then stir in the apples and pecans.  Add the flour mixture; combine.  Grease a bread pan and line with waxed paper.  Pour in batter.  Bake at 350˚ for one hour.