Saturday, September 12, 2020

Pumpkin and gourds and Blue

My fav pumpkin thing to make is crustless 'pie.' I know this photo is not very appetizing, but trust me-this is delicious if you are a pumpkin and chocoholic like me!

I use the biggie can ( 29 OZ.) of pumpkin with no added sugar or spice in the can. The recipe on the can says "1&1/2 cup sugar." NONONO. I tried it using 1/2 cup for all that pumpkin and it was PERFECT.
So you aren't having crust, calories cut, and using way less sugar. When the ingredients are added together and the pumpkin stuff is in the baking dish, drop about a cup (I don't use a full cup) of semi-sweet chocolate chips on top. Ohhhhh-GOOD! It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to bake in a 350 degree oven.  I used a 7x11 inch baking dish, and had enough to fill a small baking dish or ramekin left over. That little dish will finish baking sooner than the big baking dish.
I've been dyeing today. These are my stir sticks.
I bought some table cloths and damaged lace at a thrift store so I could experiment with the dye. I used Rit Dye, their 'Indigo' color. I feel I cheated using Rit, but this is my first time using a dye except for walnuts and tea.
This photo isn't turned right, but you get the idea. I love how this came out.

I bought this very big cotton dress for all the fabric, but it was all hot pink, just like the buttons. I liked it, but I really wanted to see what over-dyeing would do to it. It made a gorgeous purple.
I have two bushel gourds in my garden. I started the seeds inside. A tip-put the seed tray where it will get low bottom heat for the seeds to germinate. I used my gas stove top. It worked very well.
I also started marigolds. They are almost 5 feet tall! Are they supposed to get that tall?



I like how you can see my dyed cloth behind the gourd leaves!



 I'm finding hand sewing is a tad hurtful for my left hand-so I may be doing more machine work than I planned on. I am cooking up some ideas for paintings. My sewing has helped me get back to painting, but in a way that is more authentic to who I am.
And that's always a good thing!
XXOO
Debra

19 comments:

DVArtist said...

Wow Debra this is a fabulous post. The pumpkin, uh yeah I will try this. I love the dying and the gourds. I am a gourd artist. My mom use to grow dozens of them every year. Too cold where I live to grow them. Good job. I thought the blue behind the gourd leaves were flowers. Makes a nice photo. Your garden is truly beautiful. Have a nice weekend.

Valerie-Jael said...

That's a gorgeous colour you bought for dying, I am looking forwardd to seeing what you do with them. Your pie looks sooooooooooooooooo good, oh my, I would like to help you eat it! And your garden veggies are fabulous, enjoy! Have a great Sunday, hugs, Valerie

sirkkis said...

A delicious and beautiful post, Debra. Your dyeing project seems to be succeeded well; beautiful shades of blue. I think the pink button color and new blue color match well.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful garden photos. The marigolds are amazing.
Have a happy Sunday and the upcoming week xx

Barbara said...

What a beautiful array of photos! Just another way of being artistic, and it shows with the blue peeking through the leaves. I have never done gourd artistry, I hope you do! Yes, definitely it’s always a good thing to do what takes us back to our authenticity! But on the other hand, I think sometimes my authenticity changes for a period of time. S artists can be quite fickle. Haha

jenclair said...

Love those blues! I'm impressed with your crustless pie! Mmmm on pumpkin and chocolate chips. :) Your garden is doing well, Debra--do you have plans for the gourds?

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Gorgeous color! I thought the blue in the vine photos are flowers. I was getting ready to take a closer look when I read they're your fabrics on the line showing through.
Indigo it is! I used Rit Navy. A light dyeing leaves things a pale lavender, and on green, makes a subtle green that's really nice. The indigo in your photos shows a truer blue than the navy dye I used.

Pumpkin! With chocolate chips! Yay!
Your marigolds are beautiful. Save the seeds.

Debra said...

Oh yes-good idea! I've never started marigolds, so I was happy with how well they grew! Kathy says they make a great dye. I knew you'd love the epumpkin!

Debra said...

I know I will let them cure right in the garden-I have done that before, and they don't get moldy or rot. As far as what to do with them-I don't know yet....

Debra said...

Yes, I agree. I know we go through seasons of doing a certain thing, then we need to go beyond that so we change. I just miss doing my folky stuff. I want to feel joy painting, and I just haven't felt that, trying to do art that I don't have the skill...

Debra said...

Dear friend-I wish you would show some of your gourd work. I need some inspiration! And of course, your mom's!!!

Hill Top Post said...

So, if one should go down the grassy lane, past the old rusty (I love rust) mailbox, would one find you tending your lovely garden? Your artist you shows up in everything you do! I love your indigo blues!

Debra said...

Thank you! Hopefully I can get out to the garden today-it needs a bit of tidying!

Kokopelli said...

Beautiful color! My favorite! Hm, never seen marigolds this tall. But maybe they had a good year.

Debbie Nolan said...

Ah sweet friend you are such an inspiration to me. I love your indigo dyed lace. I cannot wait to see what wonderful creative project you will be doing with your blue fabric. I grew gourds many years ago and I still have a basket of them waiting for me to clean and paint them...maybe someday :)! Your marigolds are lovely. They are such a bright spot of sunshine as summer moves into Autumn. Have a great weekend. Hugs!

kathyinozarks said...

No rit dye is not cheating at all-it's just another method of dyeing. Your pieces turned out great-I love to repurpose like that too.
Those are tall for marigolds but perhaps this is a new variety-I love marigolds-you can dye with those too for a yellow. the natural dyeing is a whole different process-results never guaranteed but for me it has always been fun, but it is time consuming-more prep involved. I like procion dyes too for cotton I used to dye for quilt fabrics. are you familiar with Dharma trading? they have great dyeing products Happy weekend hugs Kathy

kathyinozarks said...

Oh and I forgot to mention I love all things pumpkin-I have started baking allot more pies too with no crusts-or I make a nut crust for no carbs.

artbyjune said...

I love those fabric dye experiments!!

Debra said...

Yes I have been on Dharma's web site. I do love the colors you can get from natural dyeing. I may try doing it. I like your idea of nut crusts for pies-healthier than flour too.

kathyinozarks said...

yes that's one way I have found to cut carbs. a nut crust is great with pumpkin pie too