I started Collecting Firsts years ago, when I  was weary of the  same house, job, drive to work, etc., and I decided if life was  going to be more varied  and vibrant,  it  was up to me to take a more creative   and proactive approach. It  never occurred to me that my ‘first’ plague was in the future, or the first time watching my  youngest daughter struggle with Covid 19. 

On  a brighter note, as she began to slowly  recuperate, inspite of on going  after effects, she asked me if I’d like to  participate  in the virtual Baltimore 26.2 mile crabby walk. At 70, I knew it would be a challenge as it was my  first, but wanted  to support her, so  I agreed. 

On Saturday,  October 10, we completed our required miles and yesterday  our t-shirts and medals arrived so  we opened them together  on a Zoom call! 

We’re planning to do  the turkey trot  on Thanksgiving Day and run a marathon in the  spring. Setting goals together has helped to make this bittersweet year a little  more  bearable. Even during a pandemic, there are ways to  collect firsts. I hope you are all setting goals and making wonderful memories. 

The first step in preparing the pumpkin seeds is to cut open your pumpkin! If you can find a peanut pumpkin,I think you'll be delighted! I was! They look like they are covered with peanuts and are a little sweeter than most pumpkins. And baking your own pumpkin, instead of using canned, is always worth the effort. What a difference!
​Directions for baking the pumpkin are in an earlier post. Do a search on the welcome page!

Add one or two tablespoons of olive oil to thoroughly coat. 
The final amount will depend on the size of your pumpkin and the amount of seeds.
(about 1 teas. oil per 1/2 cup of seeds) 

Add 1 teaspoon pink  Himalayan sea salt and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
(inspired by Kevin  Lee Jacobs - a favorite!)
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Heat oven to 350 degrees. 
Spread on a cookie sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and serve warm!

Watch them closely so  they don’t burn but be certain to cook them until crisp so they won’t be tough!
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 This is on of many options. You'll find a lot of recipes for savory, as well as sweet, roasted pumpkin seeds on line.  If you come up with your own variation, add it in the comments below! Enjoy!

A friend asked where I find my information on herbal legends and lore. I'be been collecting for decades, following my grandmother's example. Her journals are filled with articles, recipes, and notes. She was born in 1900 and there are pages dated from 1918 forward. Many of her notes are stained from use and the journals are falling apart, but they are priceless treasures to me!

She also gathered cards, booklets, etc, including give aways from stores. One of my favorites is a 50th anniversary edition from the Valley Rural Electric Co-op, Inc., celebrating President Franklin's Rural Electrification Order 7050. 

I started collecting longer ago than I care to admit, and have 3 ring binders and journals filled with hundreds of articles, notes, and sketches. And now the internet is brimming with information, though a lot of what I've collected isn't on line - yet! I'm continuing to sketch almost every day and so on it goes!