Saturday, October 30, 2010

The Pumpkin Patch

Hi Knitters,
It's a beautiful Halloween weekend around here. A couple of weeks ago we went to pick pumpkins at our favorite pumpkin farm.
We gathered up the troops and headed out to the field. My brother's family and my sister and a couple of her kids came along.
The kids like to scatter about to find the best pumpkin of their liking.
There were lots of good pumpkins to choose from this year.
It is so scenic. I like to soak it in.
Here is our pumpkin picking crew for this year. I can't complain.
There was a banjo and bass group playing away.
One of these warty fellows came home with my sister and one with my brother.
Cousins are the best.
My husband is such a kind and willing workhorse. With his size and strength he makes things so easy for us.
I don't know why but I love the cardboard signs. They make me smile.
A little caramel apple surprise on the way out can make a guy smile, too. We had everyone over yesterday for a little carving party. The pumpkins turned out great. I roasted the pumpkin seeds, too. I had the seeds all separated and cleaned in a large mixing bowl. I tossed them with a little olive oil and salt. I then spread them out on a jelly roll pan and salted them once more. I baked them at 350 degrees for about an hour and I stirred them at least once, maybe twice while they were baking. The pumpkin seeds were gobbled up in a snap!

Oh, and while I am talking about baking here is the apple crisp recipe I mentioned in the last post on applesauce:

Anderson Apple Crisp
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
Fill a 13 by 9 inch pan with peeled and sliced apples (like for the applesauce)
You can add as many apples as you like or you can make a 9 by 9 inch pan for a smaller amount.

Topping:

I double the topping for the 13 by 9 inch pan, make as written for the 8 by 8 inch pan.
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
Add all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until crumbly and combined. Sprinkle over the top of the apples.
Bake for about an hour or until golden brown and bubbling.
Enjoy with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Yesterday on the newsletter email from the Loopy Ewe there were two fantastic fall recipes I'd really like to try:
The caramel apples look like a super fun kid project or girl scout troop project. I will do these caramel apples at some point for sure and hopefully soon.


One more quick thing, here is my latest free pattern on Spud says!
Happy Halloween.
best, susie