Squashed!

I think I read somewhere that you're supposed to pick winter squash before the first frost. I figured now was a good time and decided to arrange my lovely cucurbits for a family photo on the kitchen counter.

I know, right? What was I thinking in planting so many squash? Not included in this photo are the three pumpkins still on the vine on my straw bales. And I have already picked, cooked and either eaten or frozen two other winter squash I grew. I moved them to the living room, where they're artfully arranged on my coffee table because we haven't turned on the heat and it's the coldest room in the house. In another week when the daytime temps start getting a little cooler, I'll move them out to a shelf in the garage in hopes they live up to their name and store well for the winter.

No, my husband doesn't know I have plans to invade, conquer and occupy his precious garage space with vegetables.