Ingredients: 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 2 large eggs, 1 can evaporated milk, 2 cups Pie Pumpkin, 1 unbaked deep dish pie shell.
The fresh pumpkin just has a few more steps than the canned pumpkin. Start by cutting the pumpkin in half.
Then scoop out all the seeds and stringy membranes.
Place the pumpkin halves in a shallow baking dish. Fill the dish about 1/4 with water to keep the pumpkin moist. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.
You want the pumpkin to be fork tender, like this.
Scoop out the pumpkin, leaving the skin. It's really soft so you can mash it up with a spoon or spatula. I didn't get a picture of this step because Garrett wanted to "help" so I had to hold him. I let the pumpkin cool for a bit before adding the rest of the ingredients. I didn't want the eggs to scramble from adding them to hot pumpkin. Once it's cooled to room temperature, go ahead and add everything except the evaporated milk. I like to use a whisk instead of a mixer. The pumpkin is pureed and it just seems ridiculous to drag out the mixer for this. Add the evaporated milk gradually into the pumpkin mixture. I whisk with one hand and pour with the other.
Now you need to prep the pie shell. If you buy a frozen pie shell, there isn't much preparation. Just pull it out of the freezer so it can thaw. I have a pie dish so I buy the roll out pie crust. (Corey, it was Grandma Harrison's) With that crust, just roll it out and use your fingers to crimp the edges so it's all pretty.
Pour the pumpkin mixture into the pie shell. I usually have a small amount left over. In the past, I tried using every last drop but it would always overflow and make a mess. Sometimes it's a little foamy/bubbly on top. I use my spatula to pop the big bubbles, give it a little shake, and let it sit for a minute so it can settle. Go ahead and stick that bad boy in the oven for 15 minutes at 425 degrees. Then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for another 45 minutes.
You'll know it's done when you give it a little shake, there isn't a whole lot of jiggle in the middle. You could also insert a toothpick in the middle and if it comes out clean, it's done. I use the shake method because sometimes that itty bitty hole from the toothpick will form into a huge crack right down the middle of the pie once it cools.
I know how much my son resembles his daddy and I'm totally okay with that. I mean, that is a big reason why I married him in the first place...I wanted his babies. Garrett has his daddy's blue eyes, his ears, feet, and sometimes I can even see Justin in Garrett's expressions. I can't tell you the times I've had strangers come up to us or pass by us in public and say things like, "There's no doubt who that baby's daddy is!" or "Wow, he looks just-like-his-daddy!" or "There aint no denying he's your son!" Isn't that sweet and special? It's all great and fine and dandy. HOWEVER, he is my baby too. It was no easy task carrying that little man around INSIDE OF MY BODY for nine months and then bringing him into this world by pushing him OUT OF MY BODY. I really don't think it's too much to ask that the little stinker at least look like he belongs to me!
So, I did a little searching and dug up some proof that Garrett is my biological child after all. You look at these photos and then try and tell me he doesn't look just like his mama!
Well, at least a little bit...right?
Ice cream scooper...what's that? Ohhh! You're talking about that utensil used to scoop a serving of ice cream out of the carton to be placed in a bowl and eaten by an individual person. Yeah, umm, we don't do it like that at our house.
P.S. Don't be scared to come over and eat our food. We don't drink out of the milk carton and I don't lick the spoon while I cook. You just might want to bring your own ice cream :)
It's rare that Justin or I ever get to eat or drink anything in Garrett's presence without giving him a taste. He thinks he's entitled to whatever we have regardless if he's just eaten or not even hungry. He may not like everything we let him try but he will usually at least sample it. There is one thing that he just can't bring himself to try...coffee. Justin is one of those anytime-of-the-day coffee drinkers. He loves the stuff and he drinks it black. Yuck. I can tolerate the smell of it in the morning but I've never liked the taste. Anyway, whenever Garrett sees his daddy sipping from his mug, he'll walk over and act like he wants a sip. He put his lips up to the edge of the mug but as soon as his little nose gets a whiff of that strong brew, he changes his mind real quick.
See for yourself. His reaction makes me laugh so hard!
He's naked in the sink.
He's naked in the sink watching Sesame Street.
I was so excited to see my old coworkers and friends! Dr. Brundrett treated us all to lunch at the Irish Pub, one of our favorite restaurants. I always have such a good time with them. 
Before we left, I just had to drive by our old house. I teared right up as soon as I saw it. It seemed weird not to be able to pull into that driveway and go inside.
We had planned on leaving bright and early Tuesday morning to head back home but Justin ended up working on Tuesday so we got a late start on our 500 mile drive back to Hampstead. On top of that, Garrett picked up a virus so he had a fever and didn't feel good AT ALL. I think we've finally decided Garrett isn't cut out for these long road trips.
Over all, we had a great time and I'm glad we had the opportunity to visit our old home and a few of our favorite places.
