Pumpkins...isn't it time for Autumn yet?

Once again it is time to participate in "A Few of My Favorite Things Saturdays" with Laurie over at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie. She has a great blog - check it out!

Pumpkins...I love pumpkins...hence the name of my blog (genius - I know!) I love Fall...how does that happen when you live your entire life in Central Florida? We certainly don't HAVE experience the autumn season. Generally it's still hot when the leaves are changing elsewhere...we don't have pumpkin patches (aside from the ones hosted by the local churches where you can't get a pumpkin for less than $20), we don't have apple orchards to go pick apples and make yummy crisps and tarts. Crisp and cool mornings and evenings? Maybe in mid December...

So how is that it's been my favorite season for as long as I can remember when i've NEVER experienced it? Sure I get a little dose when we go to Georgia or up to the cabin for a quick trip...but when it's a week at most, it's not the same. 

I was obviously born to yankee parents and it's in my blood. My mom was born in North Carolina, but grew up in Ohio, my father grew up "in the shadow of the Golden Dome" in Indiana.  That may be more "mid west" but they say "pop" up there, so it's definitely yankee territory - not that there's anything wrong with that...just sayin' - besides, I'm born n reared in Florida...the southernmost yankee state. Native Floridians don't say "pop" just for the record. It's Coke. 

As I was saying - Fall...Autumn...I can't wait for the day that I get to experience it every single year. I will go apple pickin', I will go to the fall festivals and decorate my porches for the season, hay bales, corn shocks, tons of pumpkins and giant baskets of mums! I love love love it all...

I have pumpkins out in the cottage year round. I have more packed away for fall decorating...but since I picked up a new addition to the collection at Goodwill yesterday (I know, i'm weak...) I thought i'd share some of my beloved pumpkins for Favorite Things day...

My new pumpkin tureen from Harry and David's. I have no idea what it cost originally, but I paid $14.99 for it. I did find reference of it on the web from 2007 where someone got it on sale with an additional coupon discount for $14.00...so I'm guessing I got a decent deal. It's BIG and in perfect condition so I was happy to hand over the cash for it.

Pumpkins on a board....and on a stack of towels

Tall and skinny wooden pumpkin with beads and metal leaves

Beaded pumpkin on a candle stand

PUMPKINS! Well a sign that SAYS so...

Salt n peppa shakers from Hallmark a couple years ago

Pumpkin Pie plate and cover

Pumpkins on canvas!

Pumpkin folding 3 tier server... (currently folded closed)

Another pumpkin on cavas

A big hollow metal contemporary pumpkin from Broyhill...

Not sure what this one is made of...sort of feels like wood, but it's not very heavy...

And a funky mirrored mercury type glass pumpkin...

A pierced clay pumpkin...

and one of my very favorites...it usually sits in the middle of my kitchen table - this is a pottery pumpkin that my mom purchased for me at a local craft fair a few years ago. The top comes off - I guess it could be a cookie jar.

On that note, i'm off to make dinner - fish on the grill!

Parmesan Flounder

2 lbs flounder (or sole or tilapia)

2 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 C grated parmesan cheese

1/4 C butter / margarine, melted

3 tbsp mayo

3 tbsp chopped green onions / scallions / spice of choice

1/4 tsp salt

Coat a piece of heavy-duty foil (about 14 in. x 14 in.) with nonstick cooking spray. Place fillets on foil; brush with lemon juice. Shape foil to form edges. Put foil flat on the grill (do not seal). Grill, covered, over medium-hot heat for 4 minutes. Mix parmesan cheese, butter, mayo, onions (spices) and salt; brush over fillets. Grill 3-4 minutes longer or until fish flakes easily with a fork.