Blogtober 13: A Pumpkin Tree and Pumpkin Cake

 

The weather changed overnight. Clouds moved in and the temperature rose 10 degrees Celsius - a big change from our clear cold nights. We're due for a bit of rain in the next few days, but not too much. 

I felt very dull today with the lack of sun and the clouds, and it took me longer to get going. I chatted on the phone with my sister for a very long time. Isn't modern communication wonderful? I remember when making a long distance call was pricey and used for conveying important information, not mere chats. 

Pumpkins in a tree? How can it be? I went to the plant nursery and saw this charming sight - miniature pumpkins dangling on thin lines. It made me smile. I bought some garlic bulbs to plant in the next couple of weeks. Garlic is such an easy thing to grow. I could use some of the bulbs that I grew last year, but it's recommended not to because of possible disease. 

While at the nursery, I also picked up some spring bulbs which I'll plant soon. If I plant a few more each year, hopefully the garden will gradually fill. Tulip bulbs are frequently stolen by hungry squirrels and need replacing often. I plant them and then stake some mesh over top to prevent digging. 

I made a Pumpkin Cranberry Cake this afternoon. All the leftover pie from Sunday went home with the children, but there was some whipped cream left. Nothing to do but make something to go along with it. There are lovely spices in the cake, and fresh cranberries. I breathed in the fragrance as I grated the nutmeg - I love it! 

Note that the recipe says to use a Bundt pan, but I believe I loaned mine to a daughter and it's not been returned, so I just used a 9 x 13 pan. Either works. 

One last photo from our sunshine-filled walk yesterday. Old cement pilings from a long ago wharf where the Butchart family produced and shipped Portland Cement. Now the pilings are home to Purple Martin nesting boxes.