Home grown, homemade

There is something completely satisfying in taking I grew in the backyard and transforming it. Like these pumpkins:





Transformed into these delicious muffins.



I love the down to earth-ness of making something tasty from something I managed not to kill in the backyard. To take a hard shelled vegetable, work with it, and make muffins, custard, oatmeal, lattes....all from pumpkin. In some ways, it makes me feel connected to the pioneering roots of western North America. Tilling one's own land, growing one's own food. Putting up preserves for the colder months, baking with the materials at hand.

Then I remember that I can google myself up a recipe any time I want it, and tips for growing vegetables in my regions clay-based soil. I've got central heat, and indoor water. I don't have to build a fire in the morning, and I have kitchen timers so I can walk away from my baking muffins and not worry about burning them. I'm really not that pioneering, but I can imagine it, for just a little while.

The muffins still taste delicious, either way.