Pumpkin Patch!!

Last year’s Halloween pumpkin (carved by my brother-in-law) had seeds spilling out. The seeds sprouted this year and grew into a wonderful pumpkin patch in our front rose garden!! Very messy but very awesome for Halloween. DH’s family grows pumpkins at a farm in southern Utah and we were delivered mass quantities of gorgeous pumpkins which are now everywhere. Including strategic placement in our pumpkin patch (which only produced a few pumpkins). I haven’t carved any pumpkins yet this year - but need to in order to obtain the yummy seeds.

Every year DH makes a batch of roasted seeds which I then crave until next Halloween. Some of our summer flowers are still blossoming - including some of the beautiful roses! It is still a messy layout but we plan to work on it more next year. There is something special about Autumn. For one, my birthday is in Autumn - for another there is a sense of expectation in the air.

We experienced our first light snowfall - DD immediately had to go and don her snowsuit, parka, hat, gloves and boots. I’m sure she overheated! My puppy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was overjoyed - although at first very weary!! He frolicked in the snow off and on all day. The flakes were large and soft and perfect

Today the snow was still light - but hard, rocky and icy. My car - which I forgot to park in the garage - had to have the doors pried open.

My Mom harvested all the rest of my tomatoes a few weeks ago while I was busy working and made some delicious homemade salsa. My favorite recipe for the tomatoes is still very simple, with pasta. I was lucky enough to be harvesting tomatoes well into October!

Favorite Pasta & Tomatoes Recipe

Variety of fresh homegrown tomatoes - firm meaty ones like Roma are preferable.

Penne pasta

Water

Salt

Olive oil

Freshly grated parmesan

Snipped basil (optional)

Cook the penne in rapidly boiling water until al dente (to the tooth, or soft with a slight chew.) Drain and drizzle with olive oil, toss to coat. While pasta water is heating, cut tomatoes into cubes. Heat in a saucepan with a little olive oil. Add fresh basil if desired. Add water if needed if cooking down too quickly. Covering the pot will make the tomatoes cook faster - a clear cover is nice to monitor the tomatoes. Salt to taste. Transfer to a medium serving bowl and toss with the penne pasta and top with fresh parmesan. This recipe really needs no measuring and is completely delicious.

Happy Harvest!!