"We brake for pumpkins!"

Monday we took a country drive in the Autumn sunshine. We were on a mission out of town which was partly accomplished, but the best part, as usual, were the unplanned stops we made along the way due to wonderful surprises. You know how that goes............you get home and, as you unwind, you sigh and say, "Wow what a lovely day this has been".

My annual pumpkin purchasing had not even started because I'd not yet found the grey-green beauties I love for indoor decor.  "Hey, look, stop, turn around, go back - green pumpkins!" Sure enough, there beyond a colorful riot of hundreds of orange beauties, I spied white ones, mottled ones, gold ones, and many shades of green. Pumpkin heaven on a North Carolina country roadside!

A quick U-turn up the road and we were back in the driveway. I was out of the car before the engine was off, befriending a sweet black cat, a gentle dog, and two of the nicest farmers in North Carolina. 

The Johnsons planted 7 acres of pumpkin seeds this year, all by hand! When the drowning rains came this past Spring, Doug's homemade seeding tool had luckily set them deep enough in the ground.........thankfully they didn't wash away. 

Freda shared enjoyable pumpkin stories with Bob as I toddled about overwhelmed and unable to choose out of so many beautiful veggies. I would have brought home the entire harvest IF I'd had a tractor-trailer!

I ended up with the three grey-green ones, a lime green one, and a pale orange-green one for inside decor, and brought back the 'jazzy' looking deep orange and green one in front of the price sign, for Jasmin. Once I get time to decorate I'll show you mine in the house.

Then I asked Freda if she had any good roasting pumpkins. These green and gold ones above are her favorites for eating (all pumpkins are edible though) and she picked out a good one for me - third one back on the left. Bob has promised to hack cut this monster open for me when we get back from Europe and I have time to roast it! I also bought their just-picked butternut squash and will be cooking them this week.

I loved this family farm of 200+ acres. Besides pumpkins they grow corn and wheat, have a herd of cattle, and adorable miniature ponies out in the pasture.

The pumpkin prices were very affordable and the selection 

the best I've ever seen around here.

Freda and Doug, hope you read this and everyone comes over to purchase your wonderful pumpkins. I know how hard farmers work to bring food to our table..............and you also offer the makings of a perfect Autumn to share with those of us who enjoy decorating for the season.  

Thank you ~ we'll see you next time.