Fall: Pumpkins

Fall is wonderful time of year in these parts.  After shivering in the fog for an entire summer, we finally are alotted a bit of warmth.  The glow of the sun complements the squash, pumpkins and gourds that pop up everywhere you go in October, the loveliest month of our year.   I cook, carve, paint, decorate, pile and spread them out at every opportunity.  Some photos of yesterday's trip to the pumpkin patch - where I wore shorts - are below.  Tonight:  a butternut squash casserole featuring spinach and creme fraiche.  What a wonderful season! 



As important as the shape of the body is the stem. 




Princess pumpkins can be much more interesting visually than the standard orange - but the stems generally are not as good.








The haystack maze is an annual ritual cherished by the children.