And who can blame them? From Labor Day to Thanksgiving, I obsess over a fruit that got its roots far away from the Lone Star State. Did my obsession subconsciously began when I learned that the mother of all gourds was responsible for getting Cinderella to the Ball? Or, was it when I discovered in Peanuts that Linus' "Great One'' almost made a hero out of George Schultz's block-headed Charlie Brown? No. My righteous lusting began fall 1989 when the Jersey Girl escorted me and The Pumpkin Tot out of a Texas "pumpkin patch'' carting our over sized lopsided prize, insisting we carve it. "Carve what, how and why? I'm not an artist!" I had protested. Jack 'O Lanterns belonged in Halloween storybooks, my Southern childhood had taught me. But Pumpkin Tot was intrigued and grew to be Pumpkin Girl, and the masterpieces were crafted and a new tradition born. I have been fixating ever since on all things pumpkin. Pumpkin kitsch, all sorts, and pumpkin scented candles. Pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin bread, toasted pumpkin seeds (with sprinkles of Cajun spices), pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cheesecake. (The ice cream is store-bought). Where's the pumpkin pie, some may wonder? That's where I draw the line on tradition. There is no "traditional'' pumpkin pie at my Thanksgiving dinner? On Turkey Day, my adoration ends, and the pumpkin turns into the humble sweet potato. Like magic there's the irresistible Sweet Potato Pie, and I turn back into a Southern Lady until next Labor Day.
(The Texas-sized carving pictured is courtesy of the Pumpkin Girl, who at 19 is still turning out award winning work. It could not have been easy the last two years pulling off prize winners in Jersey Girl country!)
Pardon me, but, speaking of Turkey Day, check out this funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-kjM1asH-8&fmt=18
That gal, Sarah Palin! Wow!
Disclaimer: (Pardon me, again, if you've been awake the last 24 hours and already have seen the video.)
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