Sweet Pumpkin Stew

I honestly have no idea what to call this. All I know was each Autumn since I was a little girl, our home would smell of the sweetness of this yummy soup my mom would make and it just got me excited for the cold that was coming and enjoying this sweetness next to the fireplace as it would be raining outside, snuggled under a blanket reading a book on the sofa. Sigh... memories!!!

 My mom told me recently how simple it was to make it that I just had to make it for Dustin as he has never had it before!

 When I made it, it made the house smell of spicy pumpkin and it was cold that night so it was perfect weather for it!

 I did it the same way my mom made it, except, I added seasoning she never did and boy... it was EXCELLENT!!!! Dustin absolutely LOVED it! 

What you will need:

• Sugar Pumpkins (the smaller, the sweeter and I used 2 of these pumpkins)
• Piloncillos (I used 4. Piloncillos is made from pure unrefined sugar cane that is pressed into a cone shape. It tastes like brown sugar with a hint of molasses. You can find it in many grocery stores or better yet, mexican food markets.)
• Pumpkin Spice
• 5 Cloves
• Cinnamon

• Milk, Whip Cream and Nutmeg (for topping afterwards).

 You cut in half the pumpkins and take out all the fiber and seeds (save the seeds for later to roast and enjoy!).

 Wash very thoroughly the inside and outside of the pumpkins and cut them in more halves in order to fit into a large pot.

In the middle of the pot put in the piloncillos, cloves, pumpkin spice and Cinnamon (for the seasonings, you go with the taste. I like mine nice and sweet, some may not like too much. So taste, taste, taste!!!). 

Pour in water until it covers the top of everything in the pot.

 Bring it to a boil, one it boils then let it to a medium simmer and leave it to cook. 30 minutes to 45 minutes later check on the pumpkin (and before that keep tasting the stew).

To see if it's ready, get a fork and pierce the top of one of the pieces of pumpkin and if the fork easily slides in and the pumpkin even slides open easily, it is ready!

Pour some pumpkin and the soup into a bowl, add a splash of milk and some whip cream and nutmeg and you got yourself a yummy hot dessert to enjoy!!!! Careful, one bowl of this and you will be snoring rather fast! ;)

Enjoy!!!

 
 

 

Spinning yarn from Wool

This roving that came already dyed is Merino Top wool that is being spun on a drop spindle.

I have been crocheting for a full year (late september would be one whole year!) and have found that I have a real knack at it and have made many things from crochet and other crafts (as you have seen in a few of my recent posts).

 But I have always wanted to learn to make things from scratch. One thing was: Yarn.

 Once a year we would have a Yarn Crawl, which is every yarn shop would keep stamp "passports" of crafters as myself to come in and check out the yarn and have their passports stamped at each shop, this is to bring recognition and support local yarn shops!

 One place I went too was no yarn shop, it was an Alpaca Farm! I've always been curious how wool was spun from a drop spindle (something I could easily afford, as a spinning wheel cost close to $500!), and to my luck! This farm was offering one hour class for spinning! 

 My mom and I go (she and I are best friends. Seriously, we LOVE the same things and are always laughing together, so naturally I have to bring my mama with me!!!) and we are right on time for class! 

 This teacher of ours was a HOOT! First off, she was a nervous wreck (perhaps just her personality) and so IMPATIENT but... She made it so funny even she had to laugh at herself! My mom and I ended up cracking up more at her than learning anything! But goodness, was she sweet. She had such a passion for her Alpacas and her craft that I HAD to buy a starters kit for $17 which was about 2 ounces of adult alpaca roving and a beautiful drop spindle.

 I had it in my yarn bag for a good month. I never opened it, I was intimidated by this new craft I didn't have the courage to even try practicing it!

 Until one day my mom invited me to a Yarn Fiesta and there were people spinning yarn EVERYWHERE!!!! From spinning wheels to drop spindles of all kinds! 

We walked past these dear women who were spinning on a lovely wheel and another with a drop spindle. I spoke up and said, "Sigh. I bought a starters package but i'm intimidated by it. Our teacher was sweet and fun but she scared the life out of us for spinning it just seems more of a headache than relaxing!", the lady who was using the drop spindle smiled and said, "Honey, this is so extremely easy. Just watch it's as easy as 1, 2, 3..." 

Then she proceeded to show me in less than 2 MINUTES how to do it, in the most simplest way and extremely calm and happily she began to spun in front of us. Right there and then I got the courage to try it...

That night as I returned home I took my starters package and roving and didn't think twice, I winded it on to the starting string and just began to... spin!!!!

 In less than an hour I did this: 

The next day I finished up spinning and finished off the yarn by soaking it in warm water and letting it dry all day and night on our bathroom door handle and then when it was dry my, then, alpaca roving was now yarn ready to be used!!!

 My confidence has boosted so much in spinning yarn that I have spun in the passenger seat of our car as we drove up to Los Angeles, and I absolutely love to spin outside of our beautiful home with Sadie relaxing out on the yard as well!

 I haven't made anything yet with the alpaca yarn or have finished this new yarn (with Sadie hypnotized by the spinning yarn in these photos!), as I have other projects to focus on too, plus getting ready for our BIG move... which that will come later on! ;)

 But I hope this encourages anyone reading this... if you have a desire to do something, just do it... then allow intimidation to stop you! Just dooooo iiiiittttttt!!!! :)