How I Found My Pumpkin

Read more about the pumpkin shortage HERE.
There was no pumpkin to be found at the two major grocery stores nearest me.  Then I went to Save-A-Lot in a small town nearby.  At all stores, I was informed either that pumpkin was a seasonal item not yet in stock OR that there was a shortage and they didn't know WHEN/IF they would receive it this year.

That's when Facebook kicked in.  I posted about my dilemma. Don noticed and told me that his father who lives in the Pumpkin Capital and home of Libbey Cannery (Morton, IL) said that the fields were too wet to harvest the crop last year and a shortage exists. In fact, he wrote:   There was an article last year about the shortage and it featured a picture of one of Libbey's marketing execs hugging about 6 cans of pumpkin! It was all that was left of 2009 production! I heard rumors that cans were going on ebay for quite a bit of money!  Brenda (Chicago area) told me: Our local grocery stores had been out of pumpkin for months but now I have seen again--just last week in Jewel and Aldi. A friend of mine had missed it and went and bought two cases from Aldi.  

My husband was at work in a neighboring town, close to an Aldi.  I texted him, and he agreed to check it out.  He came home with 4 cans.  (I should have told him to buy two cases!  I might have been able to sell them to WalMart!) 
More pumpkin recipes on my recipe page--thanks to Jacquelyn!
This afternoon, I made these pumpkin muffins.  I didn't have the maple flavoring to put in the frosting or the toffee bits to sprinkle on top....but here is how they turned out.

Thank you, Facebook Friends!
Have YOU had any trouble finding pumpkin this year - or is it too early?
What will YOU do with YOUR pumpkin?
When was the last time YOU got help from a Facebook Friend?

16 comments:

  1. Those muffins look so good! I was at the
    grocery store today and stopped and
    considered buying a couple of cans of
    pumpkin (there was plenty) to make a
    weekend dessert. I decided to make
    apple crisp instead. I am going to
    have to make those muffins soon
    though.

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  2. Wait a little minute...where is the recipe for these things? I have got to try these!!! Bet Gary is happy he made the effort to find the pumpkin for you! Thanks for posting my link...here's the one for my pie crust and how I do my pumpkin pies...I do need to warn everyone about that pumpkin fudge. It is very addictive. I'm wondering if you couldn't make a batch and freeze half of it for the holidays? Pumpkin Pies: http://mistressofmydomain.blogspot.com/search/label/pumpkin%20pie

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  3. Dear Rebecca,
    The pumpkin muffins just look so special and tempting, and especially after reading the story of how you you found the pumpkin to put into them!

    I know that pumpkin is very much like squash...we have plenty of squash here, and I love squash bread. My baker friends put spices in them, and serve them hot with cream and cinammon powder. Yummy. It goes well with an orange tea...

    Now, I'll go over to your friend's blog to get the recipe.

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  4. Thank goodness the pumpkin crisis is solved! Don't worry about posting the recipe Rebecca, I can't find any pumpkin, LOL!!!! But you can send me one of those delicious looking pumpkin muffins! Love Di ♥

    ReplyDelete
  5. Another blogger friend (from Texas) was having trouble buying pumpkin. We just came from TN and a little place called Wears Valley had lots of them; in fact, they were having a Pumpkin Festival!

    Your muffins look so good!!

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  6. Oh my these look delicious Rebecca, isn't it wonderful to have our facebook and blogging friends.....they are a blessing.....:-)Hugs

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  7. Rebecca
    You should have lots of pumpkin soon. This year was a bumper crop. To answer your question about our frost. This is generally the time we get a frost in fact last year it was in late August. I will get the recipe although I use butternut squash in all pumpkin recipes. I wish I could figure out how to do the great music thing you have playing. Blessings Meg

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  8. Wow, now that is something! No canned pumpkin means making the stuff from scratch!! I have seen whole pumpkins for sale in WalMart already! My hubby has always wanted me to do pumpkins pies from scratch, but there just isn't that much difference in the flavor so I never have.

    Now I'm curious! Have to remember to look for it when I'm at the store!!
    Blessings to you! Your muffins look delish!!

    Have a joyful Friday and weekend!
    HUGS,
    Becky

    ReplyDelete
  9. We use pumpkin year round in our dog food b/c of its holistic and healing agents. It has been a tough year trying to get it. It is finally back in our stores. I will be "stocking up."

    Hugs,
    andrea

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  10. Pumpkin bread, muffins, anything pumpkin is my very favorite.....

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  11. Hi Rebecca,
    Yes, I was trying to find some a few weeks ago to make more pumpkin butter, fortunately, I had 2 cans left from last year that were still in date.
    I bought extra cause we had trouble finding it cause of the pumpkin shortage about which you are talking. But finally this week, our Publix had some, so I bought 3 cans and 1 of Sweet potatoes cause I have decided to try making Sweet Potato Butter. Figured if I liked Sweet Potato Pie I would probably love s. Potato butter.
    Have a Simply Marvelous Fall Day Dear,
    Blessings, Nellie
    oh yea, and those pumpkin muffins look wonderful, think I am gonna make pumpkin pancakes on Saturday, can hardly wait to try them.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm glad your hubby was able to find some cans of pumpkin. I didn't even know there was a pumpkin shortage going on...I'll have to see what's on our shelves here in my local grocery store. Your pumpkin muffins with the frosting look really good the way they are....Is the shortage all over the country or just in your neck of the woods? Have a lovely weekend. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

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  13. Those muffins look heavenly!!!! You make me HUNGRY!!!!!! But hurray for FB!!! And for pumpkin!! You are so smart!!! Love you!! Janine XO

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  14. Heather, if you go to the blog highlighted under the 3 cans of pumpkin and read the comments to that post, you'll see that there are a LOT of places where there are shortages!

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  15. The Meijer store here seems to have a supply...I bought 3 cans to add to the pantry. I use pumkin in soup and different sauces.

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  16. Wanda, It was about 2 weeks ago when I FIRST checked (and that was for pie filling). Neither pie filling nor canned pumpkin were to be found at that time. A few days ago, at OUR Meijer, I could see that there HAD been some pumpkin, but all that was left was the empty box on the shelves. I did NOT take the time to inquire if they had some in the "back room". Maybe they WOULD have.

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)