An abundance of butternut squash - a pie recipe.

I have to say that this years's garden produced as well as I can remember since we moved it to an open spot in the field.  One of the better surprises of many (including a  plant that appeared on it's own and gifted me with over 100 crazy, colorful gourds in all shapes and sizes) was the butternut squash.  I started them from last year's seeds, and not wanting to waste any starts, planted them all!  Hence, a abundance of butternut squash, to be shared and used in any way I can.  Here's my first try at pie, adapted from an Amish neighbor's recipe and tweaked from my own experience with pumpkin.

Butternut Squash Pie

2 cups of pureed roasted squash (I use the food processor)

1 cup of brown sugar

1 T corn starch

1 beaten egg

1/2 c. evaporated milk

1/2 c. regular 2% milk

1 1/2 teas. pumpkin pie spice

your favorite one crust pie shell

Mix together the dry ingredients, add to the beaten egg to which the milk has already been added.  Beat on low speed.  Slowly add the pureed squash, making sure there are no lumps.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce to 350 for approximately 45 minutes.  Cover the crust edges so they don't brown too quickly.  Check for doneness with a knife blade.

Half of the pie was eaten before I could take the photo!!

  The garden has been cleared out for the winter, only a few zinnias remain to enjoy before the hard freeze comes.

Allegheny Mountain Finds

Labor Day 2011; a family weekend spent at the camp.  Kids, friends, in-laws, a new great-niece, a new puppy, and even a few horses.  Lots of laughs, good food, and memories of the last summer of the weekend.  Sometimes the most exciting part of these trips to the mountains is the many great yard and estate sales that I find along the way.
The Anderson Farm Road estate sale was advertised in the local (weekly) newspaper but we managed to miss it until later that afternoon.  Nevertheless, I was pleased with what I added to my "treasures."
Tucked away on a hillside in a big white farmhouse, the children and grandchildren of the household were letting go of many cherished family items. Walking through the house, it was like they were still there.  Clothes in the drawers, dishes in the cupboards; a walk through time.  Even the beagle Beau was looking for a new home.
I could see how hard it was for the family members to sell to strangers, but I guess it is something we might all have to face. 
I promised one of the daughters that I would take care of this Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt top.  Several years ago I quilted a similar top so I know I'm up for the task.  I even made my own scalloped binding!  Another project, but I will hold to my promise.

And what was to become of a family portrait (in a beveled frame with convex glass).  Well, of course I took it home and named it "Great Uncle Abner".  Not saying whose Great Uncle!!

Spending Some Time With Old Photos

For some reason today seemed like a good day to go through some old photos. Maybe it was the drizzley weather outside, or that I had a few hours to myself.  Or maybe it was because I wanted change my profile pic on Facebook and realized that I don't have many recent photos of myself that I really like.  I'm the photographer in the family; and all at our functions, vacations, holidays, etc., I'm the one taking the shots and rarely do I appear in one. 
Awhile back I had gathered some old photos of my childhood and wanted to put them together in an album.  It might not mean anything to anybody but me, but I know my mother was always taking photos too, so this would be a tribute to her also.

I always wanted to be a cowgirl!!  What little we know at age five!!!