Zakk-ini Bread Basket

We are now in Week #18 of the Zakka Style Sew Along,

and it's never too late to join us.

{Visit Lindsey at  LRStitched for details.}

I love this week's project, contributed by 

Rachel Roxburgh of Roxy Creations.

{Rachel has a way with linen, wouldn't you agree?}

Already I've seen several versions from the sew along,

and they are all just as darling as the model from the book.

I had already started to make mine before I saw the others, which

are mostly light-colored and very cheery.

Mine is kind of dark, since I opted for my charcoal gray linen,

as the main body.  I also used a navy plaid homespun for the handles.

I can't believe I didn't think of using gingham, like 

Tamiko and Amanda did for their baskets!

{I still love it, though!}

I've seen some beautiful buttons out there, too.

For mine, I made a covered button to match the handles.

{One of the most fun steps was braiding the little loop from string!}

I love this print from Recess by American Jane,

for the interior.  

{I also love the way the handles tie into a sweet little love knot.}

What's that inside the bag, you may ask?

Why, it's a loaf of homemade zucchini bread,

and as your reward for sticking with me, 

I'm going to share how to make it, right now.

{You may find the printable version of the recipe for

"Zucchini Bread IV"

here at allrecipes.com.}

Start with a nice big zucchini...

I live in Pennsylvania, and our local gardens

are always bursting with zucchini.

{Like my Dad always said, I don't have a garden, but I cultivate friends with gardens.}

Use a grater to shred the zucchini into a bowl.

{Just shred the whole thing, and freeze the rest in plastic bags, with 2 cups in each bag.  This particular zucchini will make 8 loaves of bread!}

I love to collect all my ingredients and pretend I'm on a cooking show.

Here's all the stuff needed for this recipe.

Mix the eggs, oil and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

{You may use a mixer, or just stir everything together for this recipe.}

Stir in the zucchini and vanilla...

And then the dry ingredients, which have been sifted together.

Pour into two prepared loaf pans.

When they are baked, they have a wonderful, slightly chewy crust, 

and the inside is tender, with tiny green flecks of zucchini peel.

{The first time one of my sons tasted it, when he was very small,

he said, "Mmmmm...I'll have some more of that bikini bread, please!}

Now,I must say that when I pictured this bread basket, 

I thought it would be a lot larger...

{"Is it bigger than a bread basket?"}

Although it's not big enough to hold a regular loaf of bread,

it is just right for pesenting homemade goodies,

which makes it even more appealing!