So this weekend we had the great opportunity to take the Perfect Ones for a trip to the pumpkin patch…a real one. Rows and rows and rows of pumpkins and winter squashes. In Perfect Boy’s words, “Nana, there’s millions and millions of ‘em!” I agreed.
We traveled to Dickey’s Farm in Tontitown, Arkansas based on a recommendation from our friend Jennifer who had been there with her little boy, Brody. I’m so glad she told us about it because it was so worth it to see how excited the kiddos were. Perfect Boy was a little disappointed that the hayride wasn’t going Saturday morning. Unfortunately, the farmer was busy planting thousands of strawberry plants that day and couldn’t be around to drive the tractor. We’ll be back to check that out next spring. (Perfect Girl was singing me a song when Hubby snapped this picture. Perfect Boy was, of course, telling her to say, “cheese!” Oh, well.)
There were wagons for pulling and hauling, however, and that worked out just fine. Perfect Boy insisted on pulling the wagon himself and wanted to take Perfect Girl along for the ride.
They inspected pumpkin after pumpkin, squash after squash. Each one had to be turned and viewed from all sides. It was, of course, the most important of purchases they were making.
Perfect Girl came away with the first mini-pumpkin that she laid hands to — naturally! It was the perfect size for her and her “babies.” She also had to pick out some perfectly colored leaves to take home to momma. Those were carefully scrutinized…one at a time…before being given the stamp of approval by PG (who now wants to be known as “Princess”).
Perfect Boy wanted a BIG one and he found just the perfect one. Then he wanted a green one…then a white one…and how about that funny looking striped one waaaaaaaaaaaaay over there? And Nana needed some acorn and Hubbard squashes for dinner that weekend, too.
And here’s the one he picked to make this year’s Jack-0-Lantern.
Sometimes, getting back to the patch is what it’s all about. It’s great to be a kid again.
PickYourOwn.org has a nice, simple explanation for making your own pumpkin puree. You might give the pumpkin butter recipe a try as well. It is so tasty over warm biscuits or nutty pancakes.
Pears top a rich, delicious butternut squash soup in this recipe. It uses some items you might not ordinarily have in your pantry, but it really is terrific if you like pumpkin/squash type soups. It makes a nice addition to your holiday table.
The recipe is adapted from Candle 79 restaurant in New York.
CANDLE 79’s BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH PEAR GARNISH
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 large leek, trimmed and rough chop
1 cinnamon stick
1 whole nutmeg cut in half
1 stalk lemongrass, rough chop
2 cardamom pods
1-inch piece fresh ginger, rough chop
1 dried chipotle pepper
1 small piece cheesecloth
2 large butternut squash, large dice
2 cups peeled chestnuts, fresh or frozen (You can also use peeled hazelnuts.)
2 tablespoons fresh sage
2-3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon salt, and more to taste if necessary
For Caramelized Pear garnish:
2-3 pears, diced
1 tablespoon grape seed oil (or a flavorless oil like canola or safflower)
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
2-3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
PREPARATION
1. In large stock pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add leeks and sauté until soft, about 10 minutes. While leeks are sautéing, place cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, lemongrass, cardamom pods, ginger and chipotle pepper in cheesecloth. Knot securely or tie with string and set aside.
2. Add butternut squash, chestnuts, cheesecloth pouch, sage and water to pot. Water should cover squash by about an inch to two inches. Allow to come to simmer and reduce heat to low. Cover pot and simmer for about 30-45 minutes or until squash is very tender and falls apart. Remove soup from heat.
3. While soup is cooling, in a sauté pan over high heat, heat grapeseed oil. When oil is hot, add pears and sauté for 5 minutes. Lower heat to medium and add maple syrup, cinnamon powder and balsamic vinegar. Continue to cook for another 10-15 minutes until pears are soft and vinegar has become syrupy and coats the pears. Set aside to cool.
4. Remove cheesecloth pouch from soup. Add maple syrup and 1 teaspoon salt to soup. With immersion blender (or a regular blender) puree soup until creamy. (Be very careful when pureeing hot soup in a regular blender. It’s best for it to cool slightly so it doesn’t make a mess.) If soup appears to be too thick, add water to achieve desired consistency. Reheat and add additional salt to taste, if necessary.
5. Garnish hot soup with caramelized pears. Enjoy!
If Perfect Girl had seen these pink pumpkins, we would have HAD to have one!
I’m just very glad that Dickey’s Farm didn’t seem to have any of these pink banana squashes, or we would have had to bring them home as well:)
Linked to:
Foodie Friday
Friday Feasts
Pink Saturday
Souper Sunday
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What fantastic photographs!! Beautiful colors and PERFECT CHILDREN!! I’ve never seen anything but an orange pumpkin and those leaves are so perfect, they look almost artificial. Just gorgeous.
Your grandchildren are beautiful. I love the curly hair. What a special time to spend with them!
Wonderful pictures from the Pumpkin Patch. I bet they will have an awesome Halloween.
What a wonderful trip – I’m sure the kiddos will remember it always!
Thanks for posting the soup recipe… I’ve been thinking about making some this week.
🙂
ButterYum
It sounds like you all had a wonderful day. The children are beautiful – really perfect :-). The soup looks wonderful and it’s so damp here I find myself wishing for a cup right now. Have a wonderful Foodie Friday.
Ooh, it looks like you guys had a big time. I have never heard Dickey’s Farm. Of course, I am over in northeast Arkansas so that very well may be the reason. BUT next time we are visiting my brother in Fayetteville, we are going to check it out.
Sounds like everyone had a GREAT!!! day. Your soup recipe sound wonderful.
Geri
I love the pumpkins. I haven’t been to Tontitown in years. Thanks so much for taking us along with your little darlings.
Happy Halloween and have a great pink Saturday.
Sam
oh. my. goodness. those kiddos are ADORABLE. i love love love the curly hair. 🙂
meanwhile, great soup recipe–perfect for the increasingly cool weather, of course. and a pink banana squash? consider me properly introduced. 🙂
Oh gosh that looks like so much fun! Love the video too!
Hugs,
Jacalyn
Nothing on earth could be more fun that what you just did. Thankyou for the soup, I will try it. Your grand children are so sweet, Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Halloween too, Char
Hello Debbie; What adorable pumpkin patch photos.. Every one sure was having a fun time… they are so darn cute…. the video was really great,, love the pink pumpkin sale that was great…. have a great weekend.
Hugs;
Alaura
Oh my gosh!! What adorable photos!!!! I love the one of her singing and him telling her to say cheese–that is perfect!
Debbie, What a great day with your grandchildren. The pictures are beautiful, we don’t have a patch around here and I would love to go to one. I thank you for sharing those great times.
Barbara
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for stopping by my recipe blog and inviting me to join in on your crockpot link up. I already do Slow Cooker Thursday with Sandra on my regular blog, so can’t really do it again on my recipe blog but I appreciate the offer! I’ll have to come back and check it out though – looks like you have lots of participants.
Your grandkids are so cute! Love that hair!
Looks like you all has a great day. The soup looks creamy and delicious–love the pears on top. Thanks for sending it to Souper Sundays.
What cute kiddos! Thanks so much for the recipe and the family pictures.
Cute pictures!
I am so glad you were able to find Dickeys Farm. I think it is a neat pumpkin patch. C and K look so big all the sudden. Tell them they need to slow down..they are growing too fast!