Wayne and our son, Ted, carted up pumpkins from the garden–I had six huge ones.  I dug up the rest of the carrots and potatoes, so it was the perfect time to make a large batch of stew using vegetables from the garden.

In addition I baked two real (not from a can) pumpkin pies.  With the fireplace going and football games playing in the background, I looked around me and felt . . . joy.