Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Rainy Wednesday

Homegrown Butternut Squash

A rainy day, today.  Very gloomy and chilly, too.  It didn't rain until around 11:30 a.m., and just when M pulled into the driveway, it began to pour with rain!  I told him it was too wet to do any gardening, but, the rain eased a bit and he insisted on doing some cleaning up around the garden.  We also harvested the butternut squash; there is more rain in the forecast and I didn't want the squash to rot in the rain.  It measures a little over 7 inches in length and weighs about 2.5 lbs.

About 2.5 lbs.

I don't know if that is the average size of a butternut squash or not, but, considering the fact that I grew it from a 10 year old packet of seeds, I'm thrilled to have it!  Now, according to what I've read, it needs to cure for one week before it is ready to be cooked and eaten.  We will probably have it roasted with our Thanksgiving meal!  I hope it will taste good!  If it does, I might consider getting a new packet of seeds and planting more butternut squash, next year.  

After M left, I went to the library to return one book and borrow another.  Later, after a brunch of leftover rice and curries, I did a little paperwork and filing, dusted the family room, and settled down to read.  I also called former neighbor T to check on her and to thank her (and her daughter) for the birthday card they sent me. 

It's been a chilly day, but, I've been reluctant to switch on the gas heater and have been using the electric space heater, instead.  I think Saturday will be the day when I'll turn the gas heater on, to warm up the house before my daughter comes home.  It will be another cool and rainy day, according to the forecast and she will want the house to be warm.

Today, I am grateful for:

- The rain - always needed and appreciated
- M helping with the garden
- The butternut squash we grew
- A safe drive to the library and back
- The electric space heater and electricity to run it

Today's joyful activity was harvesting the butternut squash!

Plans for tomorrow include tidying the kitchen and sorting out the spare bedroom which has turned into a storage room!

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?

16 comments:

  1. That butternut squash is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Angela; I'm rather proud of it! :D

      Delete
  2. Your butternut squash is magnificent, I do hope it tastes as good as it looks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Eileen; I feel ridiculously pleased with it! :D I, too, hope it will taste good! We shall find out, next week, when we cook it!

      Delete
  3. It's a lot bigger than out butternut squash - I didn't weigh it, but it can't have been much more than 5 inches tall!! Love FD xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does seem like a good size, doesn't it? Have you eaten your squash, yet?

      Delete
    2. We've eaten half of it. I will probably make a soup with the rest. It's soup weather. Love FDxx

      Delete
  4. Unexpected things like your butternut squash are so satisfying when they happen. I'm sure it will be delicious. How are you going to prepare it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was thrilled when those old seeds produced something! I think I will bake the butternut squash and try it like that. If that is not to my liking, I might puree it and make a butternut squash pie!

      Delete
  5. I agree with others, that is a lovely butternut squash! I'm sure it'll taste as good as it looks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Celie; I'm letting it cure, right now (just leaving it on the table) and look forward to eating it, next week.

      Delete
  6. That is a good sized squash! I imagine you're getting quite excited to see your daughter. I hope she has a safe journey!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sharon. Yes, I'm getting excited to see my daughter! I do hope she has a safe journey - it's supposed to rain on Saturday and those roads going through some of the mountain passes can be a bit slippery!

      Delete
  7. What a beauty! I am sure it will taste especially good as it is from that old pack of seeds. And if you like it, you will have seeds from the squash so it will be the gift that keeps giving, right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I've been reading about "squash toxicity" recently, but, I think I will try growing the seeds from this squash. Partly because, I hand pollinated the flower and partly because, it would be fun to see if they grow. But, I will be careful to taste if any resulting squashes are bitter before I eat them.

      Delete

Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. Your comments are much appreciated. Please comment in English. Thank you.