This weekend was our yearly punkin huntin expedition. Sure, I was hobbled, but David more than made up for my handicap. He came downstairs sporting an orange t-shirt we picked up in Alaska. His rational, and I must say I’m truly impressed with it, was that the orange would camouflage him and the Alaska part would put the punkins at ease if the camo failed. They’d think he was a punkin from the wilds of Alaska and not an aerospace enginerd looking to score some punkins.
The drive over was rather uneventful. Although someone really needs to let the authorities know that there is a punkin farm on Hwy 92 that actually has crossing guards and has effectively made the highway a two-way stop. Which backed it up all the way back to 280. However, the traffic allowed me some quality knitting time and I made serious headway on a Christmas gift, so that’s all good.
After scouting a couple of different locations we finally chose Arata’s a few miles south of Half Moon Bay. We’ve been there before, however it appears we’re there on weekdays. I’ve never seen so many small children all in one place since I was in elementary school. Small children are small and it’s hard not to step on them. I’m just saying.
Once out in the fields the punkins were readily spotable, however they were a bit wily. Hiding in bushes. In rows of corn. That didn’t stop, or really slow, us. We were on a punkin mission. After wrestling with several punkins we, and by we I mean David, was able to wrestle one into submission. Once you’ve got one they all start to fall into line.
After we finished wrangling punkins we headed south down Highway 1 towards Santa Cruz. Apples were purchased. Rain fell. Let’s all take a moment and revel in the fact that rain fell. Okay, we’re done reveling because the rain was the first of the season and people are stupid. Many, many, many accidents later were emerged from Highway 17/880 and headed back to the burbs.
Last night I started making a batch of apple butter – if you’re nice I’ll post the recipe later – and today it’s almost done. The house smells amazing. And seriously? The best. apple. butter. ever. It isn’t too sweet and isn’t cloying clove-y, and it has a hint of citrus. Yum!! Oh, it doesn’t really take 24 hours. I just didn’t have any fresh oranges in the house.
I made an apple sour cream pie to take to some friends’ house for supper on Saturday. We left the pie and David is very distressed by that so I’m heading downstairs now to make one as a surprise for him. Again, if you’re nice I’ll post the recipe.
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