Grandmother's Zucchini Bread

Emily and I were so blessed to grow up with great grandparent's.  From my very first memory of grandmother, she was in the kitchen and everything she made was golden.....even the Honey-Buns she had were better than at our house.  She always had a full refrigerator stocked full and even had about 14 freezers in the garage full of ice cream, peaches, and pecans.  Emily and I were both able to live in Lubbock for a while with my grandparents and it was one of the best seasons.  I can remember her teaching me how to cut an onion, peel a potatoe and can salsa.  She would make the best cornbread and dressing at thanksgiving.  She would never measure anything but just threw it into a pot.....maybe that is where I get it from too!  Grandmother also has the beauty of a strong woman, the grace that everyone wants, and the kindness that wraps you up in a hug.  I always loved bringing friends to her house because they would all get greated with a HUGE hug.  Whenever we left her house, she would stand outside of the front door and wave to us. 

One of my favorite kitchen items is her original Sunbeam Vintage Mixer.  I have had it for about 5 years and have loved it.  For those of you who have been a roommate of mine, you know how special this mixer has been.  It works so well and I feel like I'm a little better cook when I use it.  One of the beaters broke about a year ago and it was my sweet boyfriend (now husband) who found a replacement so I could still use the mixer.  The first time I brought him to meet my grandparent's, grandmother made a zucchini bread and my husband almost ate the entire loaf.  Needless to say, I got a handwritten note on fishing paper of the recipe.  She knew my husband loved to fish so she wrote the recipe on a paper with a fishing border and said, "I just thought this paper was neat."  There is NOTHING like a handwritten recipe or note.  I have made this multiple times and it doesn't stay long in our house. 

Grandmother - we love you better.  Thank you for being a beautiful example for us.  We love you!

3 eggs, beaten
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups grated zucchini
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cups chopped walnuts ( I usually leave the walnuts out)

Mix eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla together.  Mix flour, soda, baking powder, salt together.  Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in a mixer (it's always better in Grandmother's Mixer so you are welcome to come to my house to use it).  Stir in the zucchini.  Grease and flour 2 bread pans.  Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 35-45 minutes or longer until done.  Remove from over and put some butter on top of the crust and sprinkle sugar on top.  Yummy!