It's a bumper season for pumpkin picking! Did you know Pumpkins originated in Mexico, where fragments dated between 7,000 and 5,500 BC have been found? Isn't that incredible? Here's more about pumpkins, where to go picking, carving, and pumpkin-delicious recipes.
Pumpkin Packed
In the U.S.A there are hundreds of items now including pumpkin! Can you imagine eating pumpkin spice spam? Yes, it's a thing.
Pumpkin Picking
Craigies Farm, by South Queensferry, Scotland is a firm favourite with tractor rides, large pumpkin fields, hairy coos, and more!
Balgone Estate Pumpkins located by North Berwick, East Lothian is also really good.
Cairnie Fruit Farm in Fife has been producing pumpkins for 23 years! Did you know they are also hosting a Halloween Torchlight Maze?
Pumpkin Crafts
Crochet Pumpkins
Crochet pumpkins are very cute. This is one still on my to-do list. Have you made them?
Pumpkin Spice Candles
Did you know you can make your own candles at home with easy kits from Refill My Candles? Everything you need is included but to make your candles specific for the seasons add your own fragrance such as pumpkin spice essential oil.
You can read more about Refill My candles kit.
Decoupage Pumpkins
Hobby Craft sells amazing little decoupage pumpkins which can either be used natural or with colourful paper. They are just the right size for window displays, on a mantle or possibly for a tiered tray.
Painted Pumpkin 3-D Laser Cut Designs
A couple of weeks ago I put together a 3-D laser-cut pumpkin design I had purchased some time ago. So pleased with the results! You might have seen the finished piece all glued together and painted on my Facebook page. There are loads of designs available. You can check them out here at Madhatters Laser Cut Designs.
Pumpkin Floral Arrangements
I love playing in the garden and didn't want to throw away the empty pumpkin. How about this autumn planter? Very easy to do. Fill with compost, pop in your winter plants (pansies, Gaultheria procumbens - Partridge Berry) and there you have a great autumn display for your patio or by the front door.
Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin Soup
This was my first time making pumpkin soup and wow, it was so easy, I wondered why I had never made it before. Here is the recipe for Pumpkin Soup I followed from BBC Good Food.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Fancy a healthy nibble to keep you going through the day? Have you tried pumpkin seeds?
Well, maybe not that healthy as I coated them with brown sugar. Very tasty.
Here is the recipe from BBC Good Food recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds. I also added some nutmeg and cinnamon Yum!
Pumpkin Shaped Biscuits
I love making biscuits and use the same recipe throughout the year using different seasonal-shaped cutters. I spotted these cute pumpkin-shaped cutters on Amazon and couldn't wait to give them ago.
The biscuit recipe is BBC Christmas Biscuits. It's really easy and doesn't take too much time at all to make delicious biscuits. Then I cut the dough with prefered shaped cutters before placing them into the oven. Once out, I allow them to cool before decorating. Have you tried decorating pens? Using a couple of drops of orange into freshly made icing makes the perfect pumpkin colour. Then I used a dark green colour decorating pen to create the lines. These did take some time to dry. I couldn't wait any longer and placed them onto a plate.
Next time going to try and flavour them too with pumpkin spice instead of vanilla extract. Have you tried these? Did you flavour them? Any tips?
Pumpkin-Inspired Drinks
Drinks you might like to try are; Pumpkin Ale and Pumpkin Spice Baileys. I have just bought some pumpkin spice latte syrup from Skinny Syrups yum! Have you made your own pumpkin spice lattes at home? What do you use?
Pumpkin Home Scents
Pumpkin Spice Wax Melts
These cute heart-shaped wax melts come in a variety of scents including pumpkin spice.
Autumnal Chocolate
Throughout the year there is always chocolate that makes the occasion special. Have you tried one of my autumnal favourites from Rococo Chocolates - A Smashing of Pumpkins?
These little praline chocolate bites shaped like pumpkins are delicious!
One of my favourites has to be the luxury chocolate praline pumpkins from Rococo yum!
I hope you have enjoyed reading and feel inspired to try one or more of the above.
Happy autumn,
Michelle