Pumpkin and Rain

We got a good bit of rain and it was actually a little cold last night! I said to Steve something about my having a glass of wine in my hand and the sound of the rain, etc. But because our bed is in the living room, lighting a fire in the fireplace would mean a fire in our bed. (I know...don't say it). He responds, "There is an app for that!", picks up his phone and sure enough, we had a roaring fire! Beautiful!

Sunshine today but they say the rain is coming back tomorrow.

I have been cooking some pumpkins whole to use in some of my attempts at eating healthier around here. I was somehow very surprised that the white pumpkin and nice orange meat. I don't know what I expected but that was not it.The seeds were bigger than the other pumpkins. Tyler, when eating them after they were roasted made an interesting observation. He said that the seed had it's own cemetery, which we figured out meant coffin. Hmmm. Anyway... I made 2 pies with it today and there is still enough pureed pumpkin to make 4 more! Although, it won't all be going into pies. Some will be hiding in the spaghetti sauce or find it's way into pancakes or muffins!

*To cook a whole pumpkin, wash it. Set it on a baking pan. Stab it a few times and put it in the oven. 350 for about 2 hours. Cool completely then cut it in half. Scoop out the seeds then scoop out the meat. I pureed it in the food processor but you can also use a potato rice to mash it. Let it sit for 30 min, pour off the water and you are ready to go! Mix up 3 cups pumpkin, 3 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 2 cans evaporated milk, 4 eggs, 1 tsp salt, 2 cups of sugar and a tsp of vanilla. Pour into 2 9" pie shells. Bake 15 min on 400 then 45-55 min on 350. (Hint: cover the edges of the crust with foil until the last 10 minutes).
http://www.pickyourown.org/pumpkinpie.php  This link has so much great pumpkin pie making tips as well as lots of other useful info!

Yesterday I made some great little fried snacks with zucchini. Ian said that I should sell them at Jack-In-The-Box! A very high compliment indeed!

Jacob has been working the lights for the Scripps Ranch High School play, "Cheaper By The Dozen" the past few days. Ian and Emily went to see a performance last night and enjoyed it very much! Tonight is the last performance.

Kyle is spending the night with his Grandparents. He left with a gigantic duffel bag! Turns out it was filled with Transformers! His super silliness was missed tonight!

The remaining crew, Sarah, Ian, Emily, Amber and Tyler played some games this afternoon. "Don't Break The Ice" way a favorite of Tyler's. The others, including Steve,  had a great time with "Scene It Junior". At some point they stopped playing the board game part and just tried to answer the questions.  Fun stuff, partly because it was SO dated!

Don't forget to Fall Back!