Grandma Howlett's Playdough

Here's a recipe my mom has used for years for the kids. The alum - used in pickling - is a natural preservative, so this playdough lasts MUCH longer than most. We have made it LOTS of times, including for school projects. The kids love it!

Mix together:
3 C flour
1/2 C salt
1 Tbsp alum

Mix together then combine with dry ingredients:
1 3/4 C boiling water
3 Tbsp cooking oil
Food coloring (20 plus drops)

Knead together like you would bread dough until all ingredients are well blended. Store in a sealed container or resealable bag in the refrigerator for up to six months.

Laura's Pumpkin Bread

From one of my library volunteers - Laura Hartline - for Christmas 2013; this bread was so good, so moist, that I had to have the recipe. Here's what she sent me:

1 cup pumpkin

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1/4 cup water

1 2/3 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

Combine first 5 ingredients.  Mix well, add dry ingredients.   Grease loaf pan.  Bake for 50-60 min at 350.  This makes one large loaf.  

I use a large can of pumpkin and triple the batch to get 5 medium loaves.