Cass, much ~ma for the niecelet. I hope her visit winds up being a source of strength for her.

So because I'm culturally ignorant, not really sure what the whole 'Yankee' thing is about, except that I've been told they suck. As a baseball team.

There are a couple of shades of meaning. It can mean someone from New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachussetts--and I can't remember if Connecticut is on the list or not), with a certain stereotype of thriftiness and humorlessness lurking in the wings. It's also a term people in the American South use to refer to people from the North.

Edit: Sox, that was a big pumpkin! I cooked one this weekend, and I got enough for one pie and, alas, not quite enough to make soup.

Jars - it also may have something to do with nearly everyone from America originating somewhere else.

Yeah, I figured, and it seems natural. Still sounds weird to my unconditioned ears though.

I still have some pumpkin pie in the fridge - I'm not a big fan, turns out, and Boy got sick of it after a while (It was a big pie. Really should throw it out...

I'm a bit worried I won't be able to find a pumpkin at Thanksgiving, as they're really only a Halloween thing over here. Maybe I can make a squash pie and just lie aout it...

ETA -

There are a couple of shades of meaning. It can mean someone from New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachussetts--and I can't remember if Connecticut is on the list or not), with a certain stereotype of thriftiness and humorlessness lurking in the wings. It's also a term people in the American South use to refer to people from the North.

I'm learnding! And now I can impress boy with my knowledge of his culture! Thanks!

with a certain stereotype of thriftiness and humorlessness lurking in the wings

In Ireland, this used to be the stereotype for Protestants. Why does everywhere have a group they stereotype like this, I wonder?

Still sounds weird to my unconditioned ears though.

Truth. And it's a strange reflex, to want to reach into the distant past to state where you belong. My sister (New Zealand cit. Born in Philly) is REALLY confused as to what to say sometimes. Other times, like during certain elections, she knows exactly where she's from. "not there."

In Ireland, this used to be the stereotype for Protestants.

In the South, it can have the same meaning ::ducks:: (with love to my northern cousin).

Yep -it was a big pumpkin. About 12 pounds. A Turkey-Pumpkin. Still pretty sweet, though. DH cut it up. Love that man.

Can you get butternut or acorn squash Jars? Similar texture - and I hear, just add some maple syrup, if you have some stashed, or can convince someone to send it to you. ( t / pals in australia) ETA: actually, right now, that sounds kind of gross.

DH left for work at 5:30am. Iris woke at 5:25am. I am still not awake. Hands work - can type. no thinking.

I was surprised at how not-orange my fresh-from-the-gourd pie was. It's more brown than a number of pumpkin pies I've seen. I've heard that most canned pumpkin has butternut squash in addition to the pumpkin - if so, maybe that's it. Still, it was yummy, and the vodka in the pie crust trick worked wonders.

Jars, if you buy a fresh, whole pumpkin now, it will likely still be good by Thanksgiving.

Oh, my! So much happened!

Doggie~ma to Darcy!

{{{Cass and Niece}}}. I hope she arrived safe and sound and that you're both getting some much-needed sleep. Much love.

{{{Gris}}} How frustrating.

It seems there were other things, but I'm still on my first cup of coffee. Fortunately, though, today I woke up. That's always a start.

I'm on the 3rd cup of coffee! Whee! It was so nice to get up with the sun this morning instead of in the dark. It won't last, but for now it rocks.

On pins and needles until I hear news from my sister on Darcy.

Cass, your niece is so lucky to have you in her life.

{{Gris}} Sorry that this wasn't the one.

I think I am going to work from home today. There is just so much housework to be done that didn't happen on the weekend. Bad moody because DH and I have completely different parenting notions. Blah.

Ack, poor Darcy. So glad she made her way home.

Tom and Gris, sorry for the suckiness.

Cass, I hope niecelet is okay. So glad she has you to turn to.

Cass, your niece is so lucky to have you in her life.

What Laura said.

{{{Gris}}}

{{{vw}}}

Jars, if you buy a fresh, whole pumpkin now, it will likely still be good by Thanksgiving.

Ooh! Great idea!

I grew up in the Midwest but have spent some time in the South, mainly due to the Army. The first time I got called a Yankee, I was like, "dude, those people are all dead!"

Once I'd lived in NC for a while, I got used to it, but it still always catches me off guard a bit. Now, I'm a gringa.