one pumpkin, three ways

decorated...

 soup...

candied seeds...

recipe:

ingredients--

about 5 T brown sugar

1/2 t. cumin (if you want a little kick)

1 t. nutmeg

1 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground ginger

raw pumpkin seeds from 1-2 large pumpkins

cooking spray

salt

2 T. butter

directions--

heat oven to 325 degrees.  line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  in a large bowl, stir together first five ingredients and set aside.

place the pumpkin seeds on the prepared baking sheet and spray them liberally with cooking spray.  sprinkle salt overtop.  bake the seeds in the oven for about 15 minutes and then toss with additional cooking spray.  put them back in the oven and bake until lightly golden and crunchy, about 15 additional minutes. 

heat the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium/medium-high heat.  stir in the toasted seeds, along with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.  cook and stir until the sugar and butter carmelize around the seeds, about 5 minutes.  

stir the carmelized seeds into the sugar/spice mixture.   toss to coat, and let cool. 

on the overlook

spending a week in the forest of eastern pa,  i planned a short afternoon lunch and rest on this cute little cliff for the hubby and i. 

the forest floor is covered with moss, that is just begging to be transplanted into a terrarium for our new bedroom.

the hubs enjoyed a quiet rest and talk with his girl. 

in a few days, i won't be able to have a glass of wine with my mom at noon. until then, we continue to relax.