A New Orleans pumpkin-fest was questionable this year. The thought of getting one home was daunting. And then, I don't have all the landscape, ancient stone, shuttered windows and medieval moods to set them off as nicely as we can in Cadrieu. We may not have stone, but we have stories.
I was amazed to discover how easily one from Canseco's fit in the bottom of my backpack. It could have its own compartment and rested gently in the small of my back as I rode it home. I should also mention that these pumpkins seemed unusually light.
And soon, there were two!
Why stop there?
Pretty soon I was on to number three, thinking maybe I'd make one as a gift to friends.
Checking out with number three, Emily teased me about how many I'd bought, and asked: "Are you going to use them for cooking?" Nope-presents.
I'd learned from the last trip that I needed to make sure the pumpkins can stand on their own steam. I set number three on the floor in the aisle and he rolled around like a misshapen bowlng ball. He wouldn't do. The whole line was laughing. I left with my stuff to get one that had a little better balance, and made sure to test him out before I hauled him back. When I returned, the guy who had been behind me smiled a huge jack-o-lantern smile in the spirit of the season and very sweetly let me back into my spot.
We're growing a little patch in the kitchen. I haven't gotten much further than that, but you'll be the first to know when I do. Happy Halloween Eve!