Friday, November 21, 2008

Thanksgiving Diva



It all started with an urge to try my hand at gardening. Nothing has ever before survived these previous urges. I kill the unkillable plants. But this year, I got tomatoes & pumpkins to grow for me. This picture was taken early on in the season. By the time my plants were done growing, they crossed my whole backyard. I was very proud of myself for being able to grow my own veggies & actually be able to eat them. We had sooo many tomatoes. And I looked forward to not having to buy any pumpkins for the Holidays. 

I was too scared to actually carve any of the pumpkins we grew, afraid they would be gross inside since I grew them, so we all colored them for Halloween. There were about a dozen all together, more than we knew what to do with. So a couple days ago, I say it's time to toss the pumpkins, they've taken up their share of space for long enough. Then got the inkling to cut them in half for the boys to see. Then started wondering if I could reuse the seeds to plant for next year, I got online & started looking at things to do with pumpkins. Found some yummy recipes, & decided to try some of them out. 

I ended up with some DELICIOUS oatmeal choc chip cookies. They are actually VERY good. SO I am feeling mighty proud of the fact I was able to cook something that I grew. Not just tomatoes in a salad, but actually baking the pumpkin & puree ing it, then freezing some for later. These things are stuffed with potassium & vitamin C. & loaded with vitamin A. There is no butter, & not too much sugar. That means it was all right to let my kids have them after 9 pm right?? At least they were eating pumpkin & oats. 

We have also started a "We are Thankful for..." tree. Every day I ask the boys what they are Thankful for, & we put it on a leaf for our tree. I have never done this much for Thanksgiving before, & am feeling mighty happy with my self. 

5 comments:

Amanda said...

Those cookies look so yummy!!!

Cute tree idea!

Spencer and Jessica said...

Must be the life force within you allowing your black thumb to turn green for a season. My garden didn't end up quite that great, but we did see some growth. There's hope for both of us! I baked and pureed our pumpkins too. I should send you my recipe for pumpkin pancakes/waffles, pumpkin rolls, etc...so good!

Very nice idea with the tree! You crafty mom, you!

The Caldwell's said...

You're such a good mom!

Francais Frit said...

Oh love the thankful for tree! What a great idea.

Kosel Family said...

Where do you get all your energy? Your garden inspires me, I can't grow anything inside either. Paul gives me a hard time but when spring comes its garden time! With 2.5 acres we should really use part of it to grow something on :)