Saturday, October 1, 2016

It's Pumpkin Season!

by Victoria M. Johnson

At last my favorite time of the year has arrived.  I always wait patiently though summer for fall to arrive.  Sure summer has its benefits, but I prefer walking on the beach, hiking on trails in nature, and entertaining family and friends in the fall. 

In California, summer weather is pretty much the same day in and day out.  I find it boring.  Here's what I most look forward to on those monotonously sunshiny summer days.

Fall is here.

1. Wearing sweaters, hats, scarves, and boots.

2. Rain.  Running in it, walking in it, and observing it through a window from inside.

3. Sitting by a cozy fire.  Appreciating it while reading, or sipping a glass of wine, or contemplating life.

4. Bringing out thick socks and tights.  It's time for crazy combinations to warm the legs while being fashionably unfashionable.

5. Stepping on dry leaves.  A walk on brisk autumn mornings become more pleasant when dry leaves of gold, orange, red and brown are scattered on the sidewalk just waiting to be crunched.

6. Enjoying the fun holidays.  Halloween, Day of the Dead, and Thanksgiving are special and amazing around the Johnson household.  Costumes, decorations, lots of food and lots of beverages... What's not to like about that?

pumpkin quiche by Victoria M. Johnson
Victoria's famous pumpkin quiche.

7. Pumpkins!  My list would not be complete without praising my all-time favorite vegetable, the pumpkin.  I love to bake with them and I love sampling new ways of eating them.  I'm known for my mini pumpkin pies, quiche, empanadas, and soup.  And who doesn't like pumpkin spiced coffee and tea; or pumpkin bagels, ice cream, seeds, and cheesecake?  But have you tried pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin spaghetti, or pumpkin wine? 

Victoria's tasty pumpkin soup. Yummy.

As you may have guessed, I love pumpkins and I love pumpkin season.  I think I need to grow my own.  In the meantime, fall means I'm out and about, dressed warmly if not crazily, in search of pumpkin festivals and pumpkin patches. 

Wishing you a pleasant fall.  May you encounter plenty of pumpkins!


Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma, (A 2012 Bookseller’s Best double finalist).  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride and a novella, Hot Hawaiian Christmas. She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.   Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter.

12 comments:

  1. I love pumpkin too, Victoria, but am having trouble imagining pumpkin spaghetti. Maybe you should share your recipe some time.

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    1. Hi Sandy--
      Yes, the spaghetti does sound weird. But I've come across some stranger pumpkin foods :-)
      Victoria--

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  2. Mmmm, pumpkin pie. ;-) I'm a fall fan, too. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't last long enough... and what comes next, at least in my part of the world, is snow, sleet, ice, short days, and cold, cold, cold. But I do love autumn while it's here!

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    1. Hi Cheryl--
      Oh, I understand about trying not to think of what comes after fall. You're right the season doesn't last long enough!
      Victoria--

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  3. I love fall, too, for many of the same reasons -- cooler temperatures, winter clothes, cozy fires, the holidays, decorations, and definitely pumpkins! Your quiche looks yummy. Could you share the recipe?

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    1. Hi Karen--
      Great to hear you love fall, too. I'm happy to share the quiche recipe. I just need to locate it. Then I can email it to you.
      Victoria--

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  4. I love summer, but there's always something special about crisp autumn mornings. I don't do a lot with pumpkins. Cool weather means "gumbo time" to me.

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    1. Hi Fran--
      Oh, gumbo is delicious, too! I bet you have a great recipe or two.
      Victoria--

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  5. I agree! Although I moaned the passing of summer, now that Fall is here, I'm remembering how much I like all that goes with it. We had our first fire this weekend and again I realized that as much as I enjoy sitting outside on a summer night, I just as much sitting in front of a roaring fire after dinner.

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    1. Hi Deborah--
      How nice you enjoyed your first fire of the season. Soon you'll forget about summer... until next year :-)
      Victoria--

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  6. Totally! And ditto, Victoria. Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream and all the trimmings.

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    1. Hi Leigh--
      Yes to pumpkin ice cream :-) Thanks for stopping by.
      Victoria--

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