HOW TO FREEZE PUMPKIN

Now that the Halloween season is almost over, what are you going to do with some of those pumpkins that are scattered throughout your decor?  How about making your own pumpkin puree?  Once you use your own pumpkin puree, you will never want to use that canned pumpkin again.  Promise.
Don't be intimidated....it's as easy as pumpkin pie!

 I got 10 cups of pumpkin puree (the equivalent of 5 cans) out of this one 10lb. Fairytale pumpkin.

I chose a Fairytale pumpkin because it is hands down the sweetest tasting pumpkin out there, but you can use whatever kind you have.
Let's do this!  Grab a bag, a knife or small saw and something to scrape the pumpkin guts out with.

 Cut that pumpkin in half.  I recommend saving the stem for a project I'll tell you about at the end of this post.

Scrape out the guts and throw them in that plastic bag.  If you're a pumpkin seed eater, save your seeds.  I'm not.  Check out the gorgeous bright orange flesh in this Fairytale pumpkin.  (I did not color enhance any of these pictures.)

Bring it in the house, rinse it off, pat it dry and save that stem!

Place the two pumpkin halves cut side down on a foil covered cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  

Bake it at 400 degrees for about an hour and a half (longer if your pumpkin is bigger).  It should be all shiny and the skin will start to wrinkle slightly.

You should be able to stick a fork in it easily.

Let it cool down for about 45 minutes so you can handle it without burning your fingers, then cut each half into quarters and scoop the flesh out with a metal spoon.

(This picture is a little darker because I didn't have my light on over my stove, but that flesh is still as orange as can be...check it out.)
Put all of that flesh in a big bowl and just stand there being proud of yourself for a moment.  Gorgeous right? 

Just so you know why you are doing this...take a spoon and taste your pumpkin at this point.  Roasting your pumpkin this way brings out the natural sugars in it and it is so good!  Just so you know, I do not recommend the method of boiling pumpkin in water to puree it.  Pumpkin is already loaded with water and your puree will be too thin and runny.  (If you do have water in this big bowl of pumpkin, dump it in a colander and let is sit for a few minutes.)
At this point, you are ready to puree your pumpkin.  Some recipes will tell you to use a blender and some say a food processor.  Because I love you...I'm going to show you both.  I started out using my blender.  Just push "puree".

I did the other half with my food processor, which is about 25 years old and still works like a dream, so I just can't replace it with something new and fancier yet.

Both of these methods worked well, but I think I prefer the food processor.  The blender made more of a thin puree which is perfect for soups and recipes where you want to stir in some pumpkin.  The food processor gave me more of an "applesauce" texture, which is what you want for pies and breads.  It probably has something to do with the blades and diameter of the blender and you might be able to control that better by putting less in the blender.  I took a comparison picture for you.

You can see that the blender puree on the right is thinner and ran all the way to the edge of my ziploc bag, whereas the food processor puree on the left is a little thicker.  I made a little "FP" on the lower right corner of the bag of the food processor pumpkin so I'll know which is which when I want to use it.
I froze my puree in 2 Cup portions because that is about what most recipes call for when they say use a can of pumpkin.

I'd say 10 cups of pumpkin puree ought to get me through Thanksgiving, Christmas and the rest of winter!  I'll be sharing some awesome pumpkin recipes that you'll want to try for the upcoming holidays soon, but in the meantime, grab a pumpkin and make your own puree.  You'll be glad you did!
Oh....and that stem I told you to save?  My friend Kirby over at Kirb Apeal shared the easiest tutorial for a non-sewing girl like me and I'm going to use my pumpkin stem and Kirby's tutorial to make some of my Thanksgiving decor.  You can check her project out by clicking HERE.  In fact, I'm going to make 2 of them!  However, you don't really need a pumpkin stem...Kirby used a stick.  Everybody's got a stick, right?
Now...go start eyeing your pumpkins and pick one out to puree.  The baking season is almost upon us.  Speaking of cooking and recipes....don't forget that our Soups and Sandwiches link party is coming up over at the Inspiration Cafe.  Today, my dear friend Mel from Mellywood's Mansion is sharing a bit of Aussie Awesomeness over at the Inspiration Cafe.  Check it out by clicking HERE.

Linking up to....

WITCHES NITE OUT 2013

I had a party last Friday night.  A "Witches Nite Out" party.   I don't think I've ever had an all girl party before that didn't involve someone getting married or having a baby.  I wasn't sure if my friends would think I was just bizarre or what.  I had it at my local bar and the only stipulation was that you come dressed as a witch.
Seems my friends are as crazy as I am because they dressed up and then, they showed up.

My good friend and proprietress of the bar Marchelle.  She did an awesome job of decorating the bar and some tables just for us AND she dressed up and joined us! 

She also created a special shot for us that looked like blood and worked like a charm because it made us all think that we could suddenly sing!

 ....and dance....

There were some fabulous costumes without a doubt...

 My awesome sister-in-law is gorgeous no matter what she wears..

Me?...I went all out for the ugly witch look.....but I had great long hair for once!  Man I was flipping it all night long too!

But when it comes to witchy outfits, really...it's all about the stockings, the boots.....

and the shoes!!.....How about a close up of my good friend Krissy's fabulous Ruby Red Slippers, which as she says, she "managed to get back from that b*tch Dorothy just in time for this party". (She's a riot and I love her!)

A few guys tried to join us from time to time, but we made them put on witches hats and when we took their pictures, they didn't stay long........

(That would be my cute husband on the right here!)

Someone said we should have a picture of the back side of us.  When we all turned around my smart-mouthed husband said, "Anybody got a wide-angle lens?" at which point one of the witches became very bad....

I think I'll just leave you with that.  

(Well played Stayce!)

I'm so doing this again next year!

YOU ARE LOVED....192

This is my dog Finn.  

He is a lucky dog.  He has a nice home with his own creek where he can swim and fetch sticks all day long.

He has a boy.  Every dog should have a boy. (Or a girl.)

He has known his boy forever.

They have been through some tough times together...

In the beginning, he spent countless hours teaching his boy to share toys and play fetch...

Oh, but all of that hard work paid off in a couple of years....

His boy tells him "I love you Finn!  I love you 192."  I don't really know what that means, but it's a lot and Finn knows what it means.  It makes his tail stub wag when his boy tells him that he is loved 192.
Not all dogs are as lucky as Finn.  My good friend Tina at "What We Keep" also loves dogs....maybe even 192.  She is trying to help some dogs who are not as lucky as Finn.  Please click HERE and see what she is doing to help a couple of dogs have a chance at having a great life.

A blown and thrown kiss is about all your going to get from a boy who is 6, but Oh...to be loved 192!

WHAT WE KEEP:  GIVING A HELPING HAND

FALL ALCOHOL 2013...I'll take you there!

Last year when I posted "Fall Alcohol...I'm Goin There", two things happened...1) I lost a few followers ...2) The post was very well received and got tons of views...LOL!  I'll just say this now...if alcohol is not for you...don't read this post...BUT...you'll be missing out on some of the most fabulous fall packaging artwork out there.  Seriously, I love the people who do artwork like this....

Shipyard Brewing Company

I wish my sugar, flour and other groceries came in packages with Kick-a$$ graphics like that!  (Wouldn't shopping be a blast???!!!)  It doesn't hurt that the contents are pretty awesome either.  So, if you just want to look at the artwork, fine...if you want to know more about the contents, I have provided links to the brewers website for you.

Without further adieu, I will give you the latest on the fall alcohol to be found at a liquor store near you.  Speaking of adieu, lets start with France and the French Fall Twins from Pinnacle...

Pinnacle Vodka Pumpkin Pie & Caramel Apple

Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat

 Ichabod Pumpkin Ale - New Holland Brewing

Mr. Pumpkin - Mother's Brewing Company

Pumpkick - New Belgium Brewing

Yukon Jacapple

(Oddly enough, there is no website available for this..seriously.)

Oktoberfest - Shiner (Spoetzl Brewery)

Pumpkin Beer (O'Fallon Brewery

(Ummm this O'Fallon Pumpkin Beer was my favorite last year)

Pumpkin Spice Kahlua

Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest

(I drink this Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest at my local bar on tap..yum!)

Schlafly Pumpkin Ale

And my favorite so far this year...........

Pumpkin Hard Cider - Woodchuck

I swear, I have no idea where the other 4 bottles in this 6-pack went!  But...if you can pick up some of this Private Reserve Pumpkin Hard Cider from Woodchuck, you will not be disappointed.  (And Jean...this one is Gluten Free!  Jean is a good friend of mine who blogs at The Backyard Bungalow..check her out!)
That's about all for Fall Alcohol this year.  There are several others out there, these are just a few of my faves.  I will remind you that you should always check the alcohol content on what you're drinking...some of these ales and beers are 8% or more and they can sneak right up on ya!  (Obviously the vodka's and liqueurs are stronger.)  
Drink responsibly, don't drink and drive, and NEVER drink when you are pregnant or nursing...don't even think about it. 
And just so you don't think that all I do is drink....I'll be posting a little fall decorating this weekend, before I take it down and go all Halloween on ya!

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Linking up to any or all of the fine parties listed below...