Feeling a hint of Autumn in the air...

[CHLLady]

And you know what that means? Time for homemade tamales and all kinds of pumpkin recipes. Love pumpkin baking, just makes the house smell so wonderful.

I think I will make pumpkin cookies. I haven't made them in forever. The kids will love it.

And I'm grateful I don't have to hoard canned pumpkin anymore.

[Cedar Park Dad]

Theorectically we're getting four inches of rain the next two days. Here's to hoping.

[RPBrown]

Okay, I'm coming to your house :P

[fishman]

Hunting season, nuff said. Well maybe not, I could talk about it all day. Bow season 8 days away.

[n5wd]

And you know what that means? Time for homemade tamales and all kinds of pumpkin recipes. Love pumpkin baking, just makes the house smell so wonderful. ...

Glade had a new fragrance in their room deodorizers when I was at Sam's last week - Pumpkin. Picked up the card to use in my classroom at school (I've got some 9th graders, and if you know 9th graders, they haven't always picked up on the personal hygiene routines, yet). The almost universal response is to first ask "what's that smell", and when told it's pumpkin, they almost always smile and make some comment about pumpkin bread their Mom makes, the pumpkin cookies the Grandmother makes, etc. I'm starting to think that pumpkin is one of those basic primordial smells that makes most humans happy!

[CHLLady]

And you know what that means? Time for homemade tamales and all kinds of pumpkin recipes. Love pumpkin baking, just makes the house smell so wonderful. ...

Glade had a new fragrance in their room deodorizers when I was at Sam's last week - Pumpkin. Picked up the card to use in my classroom at school (I've got some 9th graders, and if you know 9th graders, they haven't always picked up on the personal hygiene routines, yet). The almost universal response is to first ask "what's that smell", and when told it's pumpkin, they almost always smile and make some comment about pumpkin bread their Mom makes, the pumpkin cookies the Grandmother makes, etc. I'm starting to think that pumpkin is one of those basic primordial smells that makes most humans happy!

Yes, I do! Lol. They can get stinky. Maybe it's a good mood enhancer and will relax and open their minds to learning in your classroom. . There is a study done with lemon scent and secretaries. It made them more alert and focused. I just bought pumpkin spice Yankee Candle clips for my car. I have the windows open airing out the house. It's absolutely beautiful out.

Funny that pumpin baking is not common in England. They don't have canned pumpkin like we do, but there are imports. I enjoyed giving my English friends my pumpkin muffins or cupcakes with cream cheese icing. They were very pleasantly surprised by them.

Today, I'm baking this new recipe I found.

http://hwescott.blogspot.com/2011/10/ta ... ppers.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[stash]

My most favorite time of the year (fall) and I like everything pumpkin. Speaking of pumpkin, a couple of years ago I found a pumpkin liquer at the store and it tastes just as if you were drinking a pumpkin pie. We bought some bottles for friends and they could not believe how good and pumpkiney it was. Anyway I love autum. It brings back many good memories from when I was a kid.

My computer indicates it is 54 degrees here right know - I love it.

[MotherBear]

Funny that pumpin baking is not common in England. They don't have canned pumpkin like we do, but there are imports. I enjoyed giving my English friends my pumpkin muffins or cupcakes with cream cheese icing. They were very pleasantly surprised by them.

I have family in Australia -- she has to hunt down a pumpkin and start from scratch if they want pumpkin pies at Thanksgiving (they do). I seem to recall she also has a hard time finding a turkey for Thanksgiving because, well, it's not an Australian holiday and turkey isn't really big in Australia. Same for cranberries. But they have fun introducing friends to an American holiday. I think Christmas dinners generally involved throwing some 'roo on the barbie at the beach since it's the middle of summer there. Sure is funny to think about how our seasonal associations would be so different elsewhere.

I wanted to make gingerbread pancakes this morning, but we always have to hurry to get out the door for church on time. Maybe next Saturday. And I'm jealous of your tamales. A friend of mine invites me to her annual tamale-making party so I get a few dozen, but that's not usually until just before Christmas. I'm not brave enough to try it myself -- yet.

[WildBill]

I don't like pumpkin pie or the pumpkin pie spice too much.

Don't forget that the pumpkin is a squash and can be cooked and eaten like most other squash.

Buy a small pumpkin, cut it up, and bake, steam or grill. A little cinnamon, brown sugar, black pepper, butter can make it taste better.

When allowed to grow too large, pumpkins can get stringy and less flavorful.

Pumpkin can also be used in cakes [or breads] similar to zucchini and carrots.

There are many recipes for pumpkin soup, some of which are quite good.

Pumpkin can also be used to make lasagna and to stuff raviolis.

[CHLLady]

Funny that pumpin baking is not common in England. They don't have canned pumpkin like we do, but there are imports. I enjoyed giving my English friends my pumpkin muffins or cupcakes with cream cheese icing. They were very pleasantly surprised by them.

I have family in Australia -- she has to hunt down a pumpkin and start from scratch if they want pumpkin pies at Thanksgiving (they do). I seem to recall she also has a hard time finding a turkey for Thanksgiving because, well, it's not an Australian holiday and turkey isn't really big in Australia. Same for cranberries. But they have fun introducing friends to an American holiday. I think Christmas dinners generally involved throwing some 'roo on the barbie at the beach since it's the middle of summer there. Sure is funny to think about how our seasonal associations would be so different elsewhere.

I wanted to make gingerbread pancakes this morning, but we always have to hurry to get out the door for church on time. Maybe next Saturday. And I'm jealous of your tamales. A friend of mine invites me to her annual tamale-making party so I get a few dozen, but that's not usually until just before Christmas. I'm not brave enough to try it myself -- yet.[/quote

Stash, that pumpkin liqueur sounds awesome. I'll have to keep a look out.

Thank you Wild Bill, would have never guessed to use it in ravioli or lasagna. It's so very good for you too.

Mother Bear, I know how your family in Australia feels. I never had to resort to making my pumpkin recipes from scratch-scratch because I started buying a caned pumpkin in the summer while I lived overseas. Lol. Don't get me started on the time they ran out of black eyed peas for new year! I really enjoyed living overseas and learning new things from my new friends as well as sharing American things. I always wanted to try a Christmas goose! I am bummed we didn't get to. My Easy Bake Oven (English oven) could not have held one anyway. Lol.

Want to blow your friends away this Christmas' tamale making party?! Bring this and be the envy of all!
http://www.mexgrocer.com/39584-00110.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Scroll down to watch the video on how to use this tool. I found this jewel while ordering some seasonings from this site. Oh my gosh, it is the best tamale making invention ever!! My friend taught me how to make tamales with a back of a spoon to spread the masa. To my great frustration, I could not master it with the spoon. With this, I am a tamale making machine! Lol! It seriously is as easy as she makes it look!

[MotherBear]

Want to blow your friends away this Christmas' tamale making party?! Bring this and be the envy of all!
http://www.mexgrocer.com/39584-00110.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Scroll down to watch the video on how to use this tool. I found this jewel while ordering some seasonings from this site. Oh my gosh, it is the best tamale making invention ever!! My friend taught me how to make tamales with a back of a spoon to spread the masa. To my great frustration, I could not master it with the spoon. With this, I am a tamale making machine! Lol! It seriously is as easy as she makes it look!

Now THAT is amazing. We use spoons and it takes me forever and I never feel like I'm doing it right. I may have to buy a couple and give her one to keep. Is it tamale party time yet?? I want to try it!

[gringo pistolero]

Toasted pepitas.

[WildBill]

Toasted pepitas.

I forgot to list that one!

[CHLLady]

Want to blow your friends away this Christmas' tamale making party?! Bring this and be the envy of all!
http://www.mexgrocer.com/39584-00110.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Scroll down to watch the video on how to use this tool. I found this jewel while ordering some seasonings from this site. Oh my gosh, it is the best tamale making invention ever!! My friend taught me how to make tamales with a back of a spoon to spread the masa. To my great frustration, I could not master it with the spoon. With this, I am a tamale making machine! Lol! It seriously is as easy as she makes it look!

Now THAT is amazing. We use spoons and it takes me forever and I never feel like I'm doing it right. I may have to buy a couple and give her one to keep. Is it tamale party time yet?? I want to try it!

If you sign up for their emails they have discount promo codes often. I can't wait to hear how you like it. The hard part for me is getting it evenly spread, without lifting the spoon. No more problem for me!