busy in the kitchen
How about some pumpkin pie?
When Bob and Jenny were on their way here to visit us, they stopped at a roadside stand and picked up a pumpkin. Bob wanted to make pumpkin pies for us. (Isn’t that great?)
Others came and went, but David was Bob’s faithful sidekick throughout the whole process. The first thing they did was cut up the pumpkin, and I daresay this step (involving large sharp knives) was quite thrilling for the little boys, as he let David and Caleb do some cutting, too. They peeled it, seeded it, cleaned out all the membrane inside, and cut it into chunks. They worked slowly and carefully and Bob talked to David, teaching him and telling him things, and sometimes they were quiet, too.
(Seth, Bob, David,and Jenny)
The cleaned up all their own mess, so thoughtful. David had a great lesson in baking and how to work together with someone to get a good result. Bob encouraged him a lot.
They filled a big pot with the cleaned pumpkin, and added water to cover. Then, they simmered it on the stovetop until the pumpkin was completely cooked and soft. Bob drained the water off and mashed the bright golden pumpkin until it was glossy and smooth. By the time this stage of the recipe was completed, it was about 7:30pm and they decided to make the pies on the next day. The mashed pumpkin was left in the pot with the lid on, overnight.
The next day, after our nature walk, there was much searching around in the cupboards to gather the ingredients; cloves (I only had whole cloves so they chopped some up into powder, as we discussed how useful a mortar and pestle would be in that situation. My mom has one). So yes, cloves, cinnamon, evaporated milk, eggs from my own chickens, and…. (I turned to ask just now) “Did you use sugar, Dave?” (He said yes.)
Next, homemade pie pastry; flour, salt, shortening, and water. (using a marigold fiesta mixing bowl)
When the pies were assembled, each in a fiesta pie plate, they were carefully settled into the oven to bake.
(juniper and scarlet fiesta pie plates)
By the end of the day, after it baked and cooled, we were able to eat and savor the most delicious homemade pumpkin pie I ever had, made with so much thoughtfulness and love. Bob sliced and served it to us, Rich first, then me, and then his beautiful wife and all the children. It was a welcome treat, and a memory made.
There was enough leftover for me to snack on the next day and the next. In fact, before I went to bed last night I ate two pieces. I wonder if that’s the reason why I slept so good? (goodpie/goodnight) 
Good to be Home 
Yummy pies! I don’t believe I’ve ever had pumpkin pie made from scratch!
That looks yummy!
Yum! I love using real pumpkin instead of the pumpkin from a can. Much more work, but there is SUCH a difference. Especially in pumpkin bread…..it’s just better. I love how you always describe the fiesta that you use. =)Wish I could reach into the photo and take out a piece of pie!Happy Weekend to you. =)
looks so yummy! You’re making me hungry for pie now 🙂 I actually have never made pumpkin pie with real pumpkin but I have made a fall soup with cooked pumpkin. It’s so yummy!
And how kind of Bob to make the pies! From Jenny’s posts he looks like he does a great job in the kitchen!
Pie making is one of my favorite things to do…. as long as I can remember I’ve happily made pies… i smile just thinking about it ; )
Looks like FUN! Hmmm, I’ll add that to my ever-growing list of things I’d like to do: Make pumpkin-pie from scratch!
sounds like you all had a fabulous time. i’m sure that dave LOVED having that time to just be involved in such a great task and someone to oversea him…so much fun, and i like that Bob took the time to talk him through the task. sounds beautiful to me, especially it being all homemade and using your eggs from the chickens 😉 thanks for sharing and i’m glad that you got to visit with one of your dear xanga friends and her hubby
Oh, what fun for the boys. I think it is great to have MEN cooking with the boys. My son loves to bake and cook.Pumpkin pies…sigh…yum!! (oh, and I love your Fiesta ware. Like all your “food” pictures where it is featured. You have inspired me to start getting pieces. I am not the fancy china girl…Fiesta is my style completely. The family loves it too)Fall Blessings, friend.
Mmmm that looks so warm and yumm! annd how sweet that your guest took the time to do this with david!
Wow, yum!
I’m so jealous of your visit . . . no, wait! I’m not “jealous” – jealousy is when you want to take what someone else has for yourself. I’m “ENVIOUS” (wish I had the experience, too!) of your visit with Jenny’s family! Nature walk pictures have been beautiful. Pumpkin pie was yummy looking. Your forest trees are incredibly gorgeous in their fall splendor. The time spent visiting with a Xanga friend – priceless! Thanks for sharing, Shanda!
Hi Shanda……I love this pumpkin pie recipe and how lovely that your guest made this with you and his gentle patience with the children….it’s lovely to see….I was really writing to say a HUGE THANK YOU for your Sweet Potato Yeast Bread from one of your previous posts….I do believe it’s the best bread recipe I have used….I have made a huge round farmhouse style loaf with this recipe….I have made yummy individual bread rolls with it and just an ordinary loaf in my bread maker….it’s texture is amazing with the sweet brown crust….yummy…..Thank You…..Have a WONDERFUL day with your sweet family…..Brenda
So sweet. I can almost smell those cloves. Baking is wonderful, and you captured their precious time together.
So glad you got to eat one of Bob’s LEGENDARY Pumpkin Pies! Next time ask for one of his GIANT apple pies Yummy yum yum.And isn’t he wonderful with kids…he’s always looking for opportunities to teach and show kids the wonder around us
@maryhurlbut – Yes, I noticed how wonderful he was with kids right from the beginning of our visit. I was very impressed by that, a mama just loves it when anyone pays special attention to her little ones. 😉