Growing Pies.

I have so many tales to share, and chatting to do.  But, sometimes, some things are worth stopping for.  You know, taking time to breathe-in the moment.

 And to ask...."  Is that really my baby puppy?"

He was so tiny one year ago (below).

 

I was taking some memory photos of the last of the pumpkins I grew this summer, in the first photo above, before they start to to vanish.  I am about to turn most of them into pies and cakes.

I was so overjoyed that Matty joined in the photos.

Then, I went inside and looked at the photos, and I thought...

When I look at Matty in person, I see him as a puppy.

But, when I see him in photos I think, who replaced my puppy with a big boy dog?

7 days from today, will mark the day he came to live with us 1 year ago.

Where does the time go?

He had a busy year.  Good, sad, happy, and always an abundance of love from us.  He squeezes himself in between his Mommy and Daddy whenever he can.  He is always a warm bundle of fur, right in between us.  We sit down side by side, and he jumps in the middle.  So sweet.  I am glad he knows we love him.

I don't care if he is spoiled. :)

I love this older post that shows his wicked side ;) 

It is official, I am one of those crazy dog lovers who are just nutttzzzzz in love with fur baby love.  Who then proceed to annoy the rest of the world with it. 

Soooory ;)

I am obsessed.

I looooooove love love love love Matty.

 

I know, it's annoying.

But, you still sort of like me, right?

Maybe, a little?

I promise to talk about something else soon :)

On that note...

Guess what?

There is a boy party in my garden tonight, and between painting, cleaning, fixing up the gypsy garden, and making pies for the boys with some of my pumpkins - I am going plain mad. 

 

So, I decided to take a moment.  Even though I have ten thousand things to say...

 

And breathe, and silently visit you, while I sip coffee. (ya right, real silent, tee hee)

We are keeping the ugly square pie for us.

Yumm.

 

Back sooner than soon.

 

♥,V

 

ps:  Can you guess how many mid-sized pumpkins it takes to make a large bowl of pumpkin mush?

Comments

[Sarah]

Aah look at Matty as a puppy! He was so cute and is so handsome now! I know just wat you mean about wondering where the time goes, and also about loving Matty. I feel exactly the same about all my cats, I feel the same about Cassie-and also cannot get over the fact of how big she is now! I am slightly woried she may be getting fat as she gets so many treats-mainly from Andy, who can't resist her every time she climbs up his legs! Have fun at your party-the pies look good! xx

[A Forest Frolic]

Oh my goodness Vanessa, I want to just squeeze those puppy cheeks (even though he would eat me alive, tee hee ;) Speaking about eatin,' I'd love to dig into the BEAUTIFUL square pie with you...save me a piece, k?

Jamie :)

[Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions]

Our Siberian Husky thinks she's something ~ I don't know what. When I am giving my hubby a hug, she comes along and jumps up and is standing on her hind legs {like a person} at the point where we have our arms. She has one front leg on my hubby and one on me, like she's joining in on the hug and wants to get both of us. Crazy dog. ; )

[mermaiden]

i love pumpkin pie sosososo much! but don't forget to bake some pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips, too. Ok?

[Tara Bradford]

Who wouldn't be captivated by your wonderful Matty? As for those pumpkin pies, wish I were at your house right now! :) xoxox

[Fair Rosamund]

Aww, Matty is such a cutie :) I always see my grown-up furry gals as little kittens. Those pumpkin pies look divine-you have made it my goal this fall to bake a pumpkin pie from scratch (even though I will have to buy the pumpkins from the store-and even though I have never made a pie in my life) :) ~Lauren

[Alia]

That is such a sweet photo of grown up Matty with the pumpkins. And that drawing of you two together is seriously the cutest thing I have EVER seen!! I have never actually made pumpkin pie from real pumpkin before (usually I used canned), but your photos are so inspiring I am definitely going to do it this year!

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

That fur baby is all grown up! What a wonderful addition he has made to your lives. He is one lucky pooch to have you to love him.

Enjoy the day!
Erin

P.S. My guess is 11 pumpkins ;-)

[Maria-Thérèse]

Hm. Five?
I'm not sure how big medium sized pumpkins are :D (or the size of your bowl).
okay, this is a bit too hard.

[Laura Irrgang]

Three pumpkins????
Two if you're really anal retentive about getting every last scrap of flesh?
Are you saving the seeds? LOVE the seeds, but they kind of get lodged in my throat for some weird reason. Don't they have some crazy amount of something....zinc? Magnesium? Sumpin?

Matty is ADORABLY grown up. But---
he's only grown up like a 16 year old boy would be, you know? He's still a baby, he just has big outsides now.

My favorite photo (even though the pumpkin ones are ALSO fab) is that one of him just standing there with squinty eyes and his fat little puppy belly....you can almost smell the puppy breath. Did he have puppy breath? Did I tell you Mooskies did NOT have puppy breath--? I felt cheated.

The drawing is great....woof! He has a woof on his fur shirt!

[Lisa]

"It is official, I am one of those crazy dog lovers who are just nutttzzzzz in love with fur baby love. Who then proceed to annoy the rest of the world with it."

Good! - Glad I'm not the only one!!! Also, no need to apologize. Seeing that cute but worried looking puppy - and hearing tales of the fine young dog Matty is becoming, all that fur baby love is a good thing.

[jennifer]

Those baby pics are so adorable!

Do you plan on going to the Fairy Festival in November?

[GG Pinkster]

Pies in the morning and in the afternoon,
Whisked away to a fun journey soon.

INTO THE MOUTHS, alas, alack!
Matty jumping hay pumpkin mellow attack.
The pumpkins pies skies - dove,
In the night of pumpkin pie love.

Matty 2x the size and hey honey even more.

Blissfull headliner nice for more.

[carolee]

Awwwww, Matty is just adorable!! I'm the same with our Aussie fur babies - just love them to pieces!!

Your pies look scrumptious...I see I've missed quite a few posts in the last few weeks (the joys of preparing for a show) so must go catch up...

Hugs,
~ Carolee

[Italian Postcatds]

He is adorable!

Please add me to the Halloween Pary roster!

All Roads Lead To Pecetto
www.viapecetto.blogspot.com

Thanks!
Chelsea

[Linda Diane]

Oh, that first pic of Matty and the pumpkins and gourds is so great! I totally see him as Mr. October in a pin-up calendar with this very picture--pin-up calendar of the canine variety! Oh, the caninettes would swoon!

I hope the boys enjoyed those pumpkin treats you made them. How could they not?

I love dogs, too, Miss V. You will never find me bored by dog-loving posts!

[Tracy Martinez]

Oh I LOVE pumpkin pie!!!! It is my absolute favorite! Matty is soooooo cute, I know how you feel about him, I am the same way about my dog, he is just the best dog ever!

Take care,
Tracy M.

[Kell]

I am with you on being ridiculously head-over-heels for my puppy dog. :)I love reading about your relationship with your puppy! Thanks for sharing!

[Marilyn]

What sweet pictures of your puppy and pies. One pumpkin can make quite a bit of mash I think.

[Laura]

oh he is so sweet! and those pies look delicious! isn't it amazing how quickly they grow up! thanks for the smiles today. much love!!
blessings
~*~

[Rhonda Roo]

lookit all those pumpkin pies....yummmmm..you're rich! :)

do you do your own crusts?

I'm shelling crowder peas from bed :p bleh

back to bed rest, naughty roo did too much on sunday.

Maybe Matty could draw me a picture? I think he looks like he has artists' eyes, all soulful, and thoughtful, and seeing the world as his :)

have fun with all those boyyzzz, i can send mine over if you have a shortage, muhahahahah!
XOXOXOXOXOOXVIIIXOXO

[Wendy]

Every time I come here, I always smile and enjoy the photos and posts. I love Shepherds and Matty is beautiful...So are those pumpkin pies!

[Rebecca]

Aw, Matty is so cute! He looks so huggable...I understand love for pets, I love our kitties.

[Heathen]

They grow up so fast! And the pies look scrumptious!

[Dawn... The Bohemian]

Yes, Children, Puppies and Kittens grow up way too fast don't they. Today I had a Parent/Teacher conference for my Grandson... I ran into a Teacher that my Son had in the 3rd Grade... I used to babysit her two little Girls, who at the time were an infant and age 2. She told me that now the older one is in her 2nd year of college and the 'baby' is a Junior in High School!!! *Gasp* How time flies! It's a good thing we can sometimes slow down and savor the moments like you have... and bake Pies... smiles... Dawn... The Bohemian

PS: I haven't a clue about how many Pumpkins it takes... I buy my Pies from Safeway! *blush*

[Alexis]

Matty love!!! :)

His puppy pics are adorable!!!! And of course he's equally handsome now. :)

[Olive Appleby]

I ADORE your photos of your gorgeous dog..... of course all us dog lovers are NUTS, but who cares. When I went away for a long weekend with a friend I missed my beautiful Border Collie, more than my other half, only 'cos I couldnt speak to her.... It doesnt matter what you say or look like they love you unconditionally, what more could you ask:) Ciao

PS I absolutely your photos.... so beautiful. x

[Lindsay]

How sweet! Indulge in your dog-loving comments all you want -- many of us are just the same! My baby was about 5 months when she joined our family. She was just under 30 pounds. And now, just a blink later, she is 9 months and over 60 pounds! I'll have to do a post of my Maya soon, just to remind myself of how much she has grown!

Your pumpkins are luscious looking! I can almost smell the pie baking!

[Theresa]

Ok, Miss Vanessa - from one furry baby lover to another - I could NEVER tire of reading about Mr. Matty. I want to cuddle up with him so much. He's a beautiful boy. :) And you are most lucky to call him your own. I love when my little boy cuddles up with us on the couch every night (yes, I allow our furry babies to sit where they please). Our Miss Willow is more independent and prefers to come to us when she wants our attention - which is usually to have her head scratched. I can't imagine life with a furry baby in it. You know, I don't think I paid much attention when the hubby was prepping the pumpkins for freezing. I am guessing around 4? Those pies look delicious. I am in a baking mood and must make some soon! I also enjoy making pumpkin breads - especially with hazelnuts or chocolate chips. Heck, BOTH at the same time!
Have a fabulous day, dearest friend. :) xoxo Theresa

[kristy]

You can never have enough fur baby love. I am glad you share it with us. I am the same with my dog too! Happy Birthyday Matty!

[Chris]

Oh, I never stop mooning over Scoutie. I understand completely!

[Teresa in California]

Sweet, sweet Matty! He looks so gorgeous sitting beside the pumpkins. His glorious coat of many shades of brown with black make such a wonderful contrast against the green background and the various colors of the pumpkins! Excellent photography!
(Changing the subject)...I would think maybe 5 medium size pumpkins might fill the bowl you had for pumpkin pies.
I really have no clue as it has been years since I have made pumpkin pies from fresh pumpkins!
Cheers!
Miss Teresa

[Brielle]

oh! I sooooo wish I my dear pumpkins would turn orange...that is what I get for living in the wet woods of Oregon.

Thanks for your post...I always like reading your blog and this post just inspired me to get to pie making even more when my pumpkins turn.

* Yes, I agree...Matty looks great next to the lovely little orange color.

[Carousel Dreams]

Oh hello, my sweet friend...how I have missed you! I have been on a little adventure you see...oh, and by the way, I am a crazy dog person too! I am obsessed with Pip - she is my little ray of sunshine! I think I like her more than the kids - joking (hmmmm?)

[Łyska]

really miły pies :)

[Kathy]

Awww, what a sweetie pie and I mean the dog AND the pumpkin pies of course! I hope you post party pictures from the Gypsy camp. I love those pics, too. Speaking of love, that's an adorable little posty-card you did there.

Cheers! - Kathy

[Renee]

Happy Birthday to the birthday boy.

Square pies aren't so bad. I had to resort to a square casserole dish once to make a lemon meringue pie, my momma still says its the best lemon pie she ever ate.

Are you going to freeze some of your pumpkin? I found a pumpkin cupcake recipe I'm going to try soon.

[Deborah]

There is something so magical about that first shot!!! **squeals** Maybe it is the look on his face, as if he really doesn't want to do this, but oh mama, just for you! We are mama and daddy to our fur babies too. In fact, I often tell Office Bill that I love her abnormally...like a little human baby child. This is how I know that there are animals in heaven. Your pumpkin babies are adorable too.
**blows kisses** Deb

[Miss Lori]

Hello! Look at the pictures of that handsome Matty! Just wanna huuuug him and kiss his furry cheeks! We aren't aloud to have dogs where we live. :( But I do have my furry son, Pancho. We rescued Pancho from the shelter when he was a scrawny little 10 week old kitten. He's fattened and grown alot in the last 7 years, weighing in at about 15 pounds. It's all those tortillas. The cat loves tortillas. Funny, huh? That pie looks delicious. I can't wait for a quiet weekend to bake. Ciao for now!! :)

[Miss Lori]

Haha. I just re-read what I posted. "Aloud" should be "Allowed". I think that's a sign that I need to slow down and smell the roses, huh?

[kate]

Aww, he was such a cute puppy and he's grown up into such a handsome boy. The doggy pictures are always welcome as far as I'm concerned!