The first day of fall always feels like a fresh start! And this year was no exception! Ruby and I jumped right into the season with everything pumpkin.
<<>> Scroll down for the Roasted Pumpkin Seed recipe! <<>>
We started by carving two mini pumpkins, saving the seeds for roasting (recipe coming soon!), and even colored two cartoon jack-o’-lanterns – one happy, one sad. To make it extra fun, Ruby practiced her writing skills by tracing the words “happy” and “sad.”
Because no fall day is complete without a pumpkin outing, we headed to our favorite spot: The Groovy Plant Ranch! This garden center is truly magical all year-round, but autumn is extra delightful, with rows of gourds, mums, fall annuals, and perennials. You can’t but be inspired when you are there! As you walk in, you’re greeted with a gorgeous pumpkin display and festive garden décor. And the best part? You can grab a coffee and treat from Bushel and a Bean Coffee while you wander!
At the end of our visit, we brought home six pumpkins and can’t wait to go back for more! Happy Fall!
A Reflection of Growth!
I have always loved roasted pumpkin seeds. I mean, what’s not to like? They’re crunchy and usually salty! But my love for pumpkin seeds deepened when I was pregnant with my youngest child, Ruby.
When I think back to the September and October before her arrival in early November, I remember bringing home a large orange pumpkin almost weekly. I would harvest the seeds with delight, roast them, and savor them all by myself! I can still picture those moments: sitting in the car line, waiting to pick up her older brother Kenton from school, feeling Ruby turning and kicking within my growing belly. In my hands, I’d be holding a bowl full of savory pumpkin seeds—simple comfort in a very special season of life.
Today, Ruby and I turned the seeds we harvested from our mini pumpkins into my favorite fall snack: roasted pumpkin seeds! This recipe is so easy and makes a fun activity to share with a toddler. I let Ruby gather the items we need—keeping her busy while also letting her feel like she’s helping. After I coat the seeds in olive oil, she sprinkles on the seasoning. The truth is, you really can’t go wrong with this recipe. I never worry about too much seasoning—more flavor means more to love! Besides snacking, I also like to sprinkle roasted seeds over salads and creamy soups. They add both flavor and a wonderful crunch.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin seeds, rinsed and dry
- Olive oil
- Salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, ground paprika, and Italian seasoning
Directions:
Set your oven to 350 degrees F. On a baking sheet, line it with parchment paper. Place cleaned and dried pumpkin seeds on the baking sheet making sure they are evenly spread one seed deep. Next, drizzle olive oil all over the seeds, being sure they are evenly coated. Season seeds to your liking. Once done, place the baking sheet in the oven on the middle rack. Allow your seeds to cook for 25-30 minutes. Optional- half way through the cooking process stir the seeds, allowing for the bottom side to roast. When complete, they should be a golden brown. Enjoy!
While our seeds cooked, Ruby and I worked on a simple and fun activity: the lifecycle of a pumpkin. On a large sheet of paper, I drew the stages of a pumpkin’s growth from seed to full-grown pumpkin. I also traced the letter P and the word “Pumpkin” for Ruby to practice writing. She loved talking about the stages of growth and drawing the plant’s journey. Every so often, she’d glance up at me with a little grin, and I could see her confidence growing.
As I watched her, I felt so much pride. My little pumpkin has grown so much since her birth. Like a seed, she is taking in the world around her, shaped by her experiences and preparing for the days ahead. Her growth has only just begun, but with each new day she will continue to flourish. What a privilege it is to witness and nurture that.
Cozy Pumpkin Day
This morning began wrapped in fog, the ground jeweled with raindrops from last night’s shower. Leaves blanketed the earth in every shade of autumn, and the air carried that fresh, crisp scent only fall can bring.
Inside, the fireplace glowed and pumpkin-scented candles filled our home. Ruby and I sipped hot chocolate by the fire (yes, with a few spills), then dove into a pumpkin craft together:
Supplies:
- 2 paper plates (cut one center out)
- Scissors & stapler
- Orange & yellow paint + brushes
- Orange yarn
- Brown and green construction paper
- Leftover pumpkin seeds
- (Optional: labels to show the pumpkin’s anatomy)
Afterward, we slipped on rain boots and wandered outside, soaking up the colors of fall. I caught myself wishing every day could be like this— but then remembered: if every day stayed the same, we’d crave change. Growth lives in change.
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