Pumpkin Time
Buying pumpkins and displaying them in and around one’s home in early October is common in the U.S., and Galveston is no exception.
In recent years, shopping for pumpkins at the Moody Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch has become a fun tradition for me - as well as for many others here on the island. Always, the selection is terrific. I find pumpkins of all sizes and in a variety of colors (white, bluish-green and, of course, orange).
And, the profits made from the pumpkin sales fund a number of worthwhile service projects. I like that - a lot!
This weekend, my son, Matt, is visiting from Houston, so he accompanied me on my search for the perfect pumpkins. I told him, upfront, I would really appreciate the company and an extra set of eyes. But, after we made selections, I realized I really needed him (and his muscles) to be here. The largest of the pumpkins we chose was too heavy for me to lift into the wagon provided to get our bounty to the car and, afterwards, to unload them back at The Bungalow.
As my family knows, I have long been a fan of pumpkins; they remind me that autumn has arrived - despite the still-warm temps outdoors.
Long ago, I started studying up on pumpkins. The more I learned, the more I became a devoted fan of this versatile plant. I love, among other things, that the flowers, seeds and flesh of the pumpkin are all edible and rich in vitamins.
In October, I use pumpkins to make soups, desserts and breads and, yes, even pancakes. Admittedly, I’m not very good at baking pies, so I purchase a lot of pumpkin pies in the fall - before and for Thanksgiving!
I also purchase a lot of pumpkin-scented or pumpkin-flavored things - like candles and coffee!
In my research on pumpkins, I discovered the popular tradition of carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns originated hundreds of years ago in Ireland. Back then, however, jack-o’-lanterns were made out of turnips or potatoes; it wasn’t until Irish immigrants arrived in America and discovered the pumpkin that a new Halloween ritual was born. (Being half-Irish, I love this too!)
Pumpkin Trivia
I’ve always wanted to play Pumpkin Trivia with my family or friends at Thanksgiving. Our gatherings, however, haven’t yet provided the extra relax time to do so. But, I still hope to introduce this game to my grandkids next time we all get together. In the meantime, here’s some fun facts to remember:
• Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family (like cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons and zucchini). They are native to Central America and Mexico. However, they now grow on six continents.
• Pumpkins have been grown in North America for 5,000 years.
• In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gros melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “pumpkin.”
• Pumpkins are low in calories, fat and sodium and high in fiber. They are good sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, potassium, protein and iron.
• Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new pumpkins the next year.
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2022
- Mar 17, 2022 Ivy Dishes
- Jan 29, 2022 Grace Episcopal Church
- Jan 1, 2022 100 Years
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2021
- Aug 25, 2021 My Fig Tree
- Apr 28, 2021 Darlene's Shrimp
- Apr 24, 2021 Oleander Festival
- Feb 27, 2021 Great Winter Storm
- Feb 10, 2021 The Mourning Wave
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2020
- Oct 26, 2020 Crepe Myrtles
- Sep 18, 2020 Trimming the Palms
- Jul 19, 2020 The Dancers
- Jul 11, 2020 Postcards
- Jun 20, 2020 Resilience Flag
- Jun 19, 2020 Juneteenth
- Jun 10, 2020 Silk Stocking
- May 27, 2020 Tree Sculptures
- May 6, 2020 Babe's Beach
- Apr 22, 2020 Opera House
- Mar 2, 2020 Texas Heroes Monument
- Feb 15, 2020 Mardi Gras Parade
- Jan 19, 2020 St. Joseph's Church
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2019
- Dec 15, 2019 Celebrations
- Nov 6, 2019 Fresh Paint
- Oct 21, 2019 Jazz Age Series
- Oct 20, 2019 ARToberFEST
- Oct 6, 2019 Stingeree
- Oct 5, 2019 Pumpkin Time
- Oct 2, 2019 Sea Turtles
- Sep 29, 2019 Powhatan House
- Sep 24, 2019 The Dolphins
- Sep 5, 2019 Lucas Apartments
- Aug 24, 2019 Sandcastles
- Aug 9, 2019 The Daily News
- Jul 18, 2019 Beach Walk
- Jul 10, 2019 La King's
- May 25, 2019 Pleasure Pier
- May 1, 2019 Bolivar Ferry
- Mar 15, 2019 Saengerfest Park
- Jan 19, 2019 Moody Mansion
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2018
- Dec 18, 2018 The Vintage Suitcase
- Dec 17, 2018 Festival of Lights
- Dec 2, 2018 Sunday Brunch
- Nov 21, 2018 Hendley Row
- Oct 27, 2018 Island Oktoberfest
- Sep 20, 2018 The Strand Clock
- Sep 16, 2018 St. Mary Cathedral
- Aug 11, 2018 No More Shed
- Jun 10, 2018 Rosenberg Library
- May 7, 2018 Stepping It Up
- May 3, 2018 A Happy Hour
- May 1, 2018 Ashton Villa
- Apr 21, 2018 96th Birthday
- Apr 1, 2018 Seawolf Park
- Mar 27, 2018 Ball High School
- Mar 15, 2018 East End
- Feb 1, 2018 Tremont House
- Jan 26, 2018 Menardi Gras
- Jan 24, 2018 Mardi Gras Decor
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2017
- Dec 1, 2017 Miss Ruby
- Oct 8, 2017 Railroad Museum
- Oct 7, 2017 Tall Ship Elissa
- Sep 9, 2017 Star Drug Store
- Sep 8, 2017 1900 Storm Statue
- Aug 6, 2017 The Turquoise Table
- Aug 1, 2017 Bishop's Palace
- Jul 23, 2017 Garten-Verein
- Jul 21, 2017 Yard Work
- Jul 16, 2017 The Strand
- Jun 17, 2017 Stewart Beach
- Jun 7, 2017 The Original
- Jun 3, 2017 Murdochs
- May 27, 2017 Bryan Museum
- May 19, 2017 Firemen on Call
- May 13, 2017 Williams-Borden Neighborhood
- May 1, 2017 Oleander City
- Apr 28, 2017 God Winks