Fun Stuff - Pumpkin Facts for you!

Sorry if I haven't been very entertaining.
Working on getting back on track!



Pumpkin Facts

-Pumpkin (pepon) is a Greek word for "large melon".
-Pumpkins are thought to have originated in North America.
Indians dried strips of pumpkins and wove them into mats, they also roasted long strips on an open fire to eat.
-Pumpkins are a fruit.
-Pumpkins are a type of squash. They are a member of Cucurbita family (cucumbers, zucchini, etc.).

Pumpkins are grown on six of the seven continents (not on Antarctica) even Alaska grows pumpkins.

Pumpkins can be used for many purposes
People food, animal food, decoration and Halloween
90% of pumpkins are grown for Halloween

FIRST PUMPKIN PIE

Pilgrims sliced off top of pumpkin, removed seeds, then filled inside with milk, spices and honey.
Pumpkin was then baked in hot ashes. Insides were eaten with a spoon, like pudding.

GROWING PUMPKINS

Pumpkins are planted by seed (3-5 ft. apart).

Pumpkins require 90 to 120 days to mature.

Pumpkins are planted in late June (harvest Sept./Oct.).

Average yield 14 ½ tons (29,000 lbs. = 2000 pumpkins / Acre).

Average weight = 10-20 lbs.

Pumpkins like "Coastal" type weather (warm days/cool nights).

Pumpkin flower is only receptive to pollination for one day.

White flies, aphids and leaf hoppers are the pumpkin's biggest pests.

Americans spend over $1 Billion / year at Halloween.

Largest pumpkin was grown in Oregon in 2002 - 1173 lbs!

PUMPKIN CARVING TIPS

After carving pumpkin, coat inside and all cut holes with petroleum jelly (slows shriveling/drying out process).

Use battery light or glow stick instead of candles to increase life (candles are much hotter).

Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on underside of lid when using candles (smells like pumpkin pie).

PUMPKIN HUMOR

Q: How do you fix a broken pumpkin?

A: Use a "Pumpkin Patch"

Yesterday with my Sister In Law

So, Mom bailed out yesterday on the shopping trip. Which was just as well. We had a big shopping day planned, and she hates to shop. Plus, it gave Franci and I some time to hang out, and do our thing - and have our talks. :)

We went the The King Of Prussia Mall. This Mall is one of the largest Malls in the United States. It's actually broken down into 2 separate malls. So, we were all set. Got up bright and early, got the kids off to school - put my shopping shoes on, and went to pick Franci up.

We had a nice ride there. The weather was gorgeous, and there were no distractions. What a nice setting for a nice day.

Starbucks, first stop. :) We had some time to kill. We got there before the shops opened.

Anyway, it was a big success for her. She got most of her stuff from Nordstrom. We had a personal shopper bringing everything in for her. Franci told me that she felt so special, like a princess. I was happy for her. It was definitely her day. Everything for her went perfect. She told me it was all because of me, and my fashion sense. lol. Little did she know, I felt like the ugly duckling. She had no clue - and I was happy about that. I wanted her to get everything she needed, and wanted. I wanted her to remember the day forever. So, we went to all the best Department Stores in the Mall. Everything worked out perfectly. And, she was so happy.
Going into it, I was hoping that I'd be able to get some shopping done, too. However, I don't need to shop at the types of stores she was shopping in. I wanted to have as much fun as Franci, but it wasn't working out that way for me (lol). I need to go on a day when I can be alone. It's hard for me to shop for me when I'm with other people. I felt like she needed 100% of my attention. So, she had it. And, best of all, she appreciated it. One day, I will plan a "Pretty Woman" shopping trip for me. I look forward to it.

Anyway, we had a nice lunch together, and we had a few good laughs. Franci and I have known each other for years. She has been married to my brother for 15 years. We've been with each other through a lot, over the years.... and I am so lucky to have such a sweet, loving sister in law. The talks we have ... lolol...... She is just so awesome. And I am so proud of her. Next April, her boss will be the CEO of the Nestle Corporation. She will be his assistant. This is huge for her. And yet, she is so down to earth, so balanced. She's excited, but doesn't let all the hype change who she is... or how she behaves. I am very happy for her. :)

I got home close to 9:00 p.m.
Not much to say about that......

And here I am. I am happy to be back at work today. Strange, but true...

And, life marches on.

Good Morning, and Happy Hump Day!

Back to work... or, like my Grandmother used to say before she went to work in the morning, "Time to make the Donuts" ... Cute. She is just so cute! And no, she didn't work at Dunkin Donuts. :P

So, here I am. It's so foggy outside, you can't see more than a few feet in front of you. It made for a long ride to work. But, along the way, I went from depressed, to bouncy. It's amazing to me how music can make such an impact on me. I'm serious. When I feel bad, I tend to listen to mellow, love songs. But, this morning I wasn't paying attention - and I had a 90's station on. So, all of a sudden, a song that I loved came on. It was such a fun song - that in my opinion, makes you dance in your seat! I just couldn't help myself. :) So, let me share it with you (thank goodness for youtube). Tell me if it makes you dance and move in your seat too!!!!! And, suddenly, I wasn't feeling so down. Posting will continue after the video! brb. :)



Well??? You feeling good now? (I know, I'm silly). The guy is strange looking, but the song is sweet, and positive. Plus, the movie was awesome (Benny and Joon).

Going to start a new post to share my day off (yesterday)

:)

Be back in a few minutes.