When You Leave A Pumpkin...

Last Fall, we left all of our leftover pumpkin decorations in the garden.  I thought it would be fun to show the kids what might happen if we do that.  Over the winter, they noted the different stages of rot. They observed slowly, the disappearing flesh and the seeds that were revealed.  By April, this was all that was left of one pumpkin.  We left it exactly as it was to see what would happen.  We usually plant seeds, but this time we just decided to see if they would plant themselves. 

This is what that spot looks like now.   There were 6 spots just like this scattered where our pumpkins landed as we tossed them out there in November.  The important thing about doing this is to thin your sprouts.  While it was painful for me to kill pumpkin plants, there was an over abundance.   I must have pulled over 100 through out the entire garden. 

There are lots of baby pumpkins growing, already!  In fact- they are stronger this year, probably because the nutrients from the pumpkins left in the Fall are feeding the new vines.

This year the green beans are slow because we planted a different kind. "Kentucky Blue Pole Beans".  These are my favorite, but they do grow slower than other varieties.  

My HGTV magazine obsession has been replaced by my renewed food obsession.  I have always loved Taste Of Home magazine.  I was very happy to discover that they have the one pictured on the right- 'Simple & Delicious'.  Fewer ingredients for busy nights!  I paid $7.00 per subscription, and you can get yours ordered here.

Another wonderful recipe I tried recently is for these delicious scones.  I must share!

Glazed Cinnamon Scones

Scone Ingredients

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter

1 egg, separated

3 Tablespoons honey

1/3 cup buttermilk OR 1/3 cup milk mixed with 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Topping 

1-2 Tablespoons Turbinado or sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze Ingredients

1 cup powdered sugar

1-3 teaspoons milk (I added more until I had enough to make a glaze.)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.

Separate egg yolk from the egg white.  Set aside the egg white.  

In a separate bowl, mix egg yolk, honey and buttermilk.  Add to dry ingredients and stir until combined.  Form dough into a ball on a floured surface and roll or pat out a circle to half an inch thickness and eight inches in diameter.  Use a pizza cutter to cut into 8 pieces. 

Transfer to baking sheet.  Whisk the egg white until frothy on top, and using a brush, glaze over the tops of the scones.  Sprinkle with Turbinado or sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Mix together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until glaze forms.  Drizzle over scones after they bake.  Enjoy!

♥♥♥Happy Tuesday!♥♥♥