Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Pulled up the last of my pie pumpkins today and figured I’d better get them processed before they start to turn. A couple already had spots, which is always the push I need to get moving. I’ve canned pumpkin before, but freezing it keeps the flavor truer, and with our whole-house generator, I don’t worry about losing anything. So, into the oven they go—nothing added, just clean, simple pumpkin, roasted until soft, scooped, blended, and packed away in jars for winter.
Somewhere between prepping pumpkins and scraping out the seeds, I got to thinking I owed you all an update on my health. Lyme disease was the popular guess, but the doctor doesn’t see signs of it. Liver ultrasound came back normal, which is good news, but my enzymes are still high. Next up is a colonoscopy, mostly because of family history, and if my bloodwork doesn’t level out, a liver biopsy might be on the horizon. No answers yet, but we’re chipping away at the unknowns.
Greenstock sent me something new—a seed-starting kit that turned up at just the right time. I hadn’t been in a gardening mood lately, but holding something built to grow things made me want to plant again. I’m rethinking this year’s plans, maybe scaling back on vegetables and focusing more on raising meat. Still, I can’t go without tomatoes, zucchini, or pumpkins, so there will be a garden, even if it’s a smaller one.
🌱 Greenstalk Seed Starting Trays: greenstalkgarden.com/products/greenstalk-seed-starter-kit-evergreen/?rstr=SHOP1870
🌺 Greenstalk Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870
(Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
Stick around to the end to see the final steps of the pumpkin puree process, plus a few thoughts on the value of a good, long-lasting kitchen tool. Some things hold up better than you’d expect, and some things don’t last nearly as long as they should. Sort of like everything else in life.
⚔️ Ninja Food Chopper: amzn.to/3EbGygo
🔗 Vitamix Replacement Gears: amzn.to/4hcVxFq
---------------
👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🥒 Epic Gardening: glnk.io/73j50/8vn (Promo Code Shop1870 to get 5% off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Why I Freeze Pumpkin Puree
02:19 Prepping and Baking the Pumpkins
03:09 Health Update Lyme Disease Concerns
04:47 Liver and Kidney Test Results
05:35 Colonoscopy Scheduled Due to Family History
06:28 Ongoing Symptoms and Doctor’s Thoughts
07:19 Heart and Rheumatology Concerns
08:52 Next Steps with Liver Testing
10:18 Greenstock Seed Starting Kit Review
12:54 Changing Garden Plans for the Year
14:20 Final Pumpkin Processing and Storage
17:24 Wrap Up and Final Thoughts
Pulled up the last of my pie pumpkins today and figured I’d better get them processed before they start to turn. A couple already had spots, which is always the push I need to get moving. I’ve canned pumpkin before, but freezing it keeps the flavor truer, and with our whole-house generator, I don’t worry about losing anything. So, into the oven they go—nothing added, just clean, simple pumpkin, roasted until soft, scooped, blended, and packed away in jars for winter.
Somewhere between prepping pumpkins and scraping out the seeds, I got to thinking I owed you all an update on my health. Lyme disease was the popular guess, but the doctor doesn’t see signs of it. Liver ultrasound came back normal, which is good news, but my enzymes are still high. Next up is a colonoscopy, mostly because of family history, and if my bloodwork doesn’t level out, a liver biopsy might be on the horizon. No answers yet, but we’re chipping away at the unknowns.
Greenstock sent me something new—a seed-starting kit that turned up at just the right time. I hadn’t been in a gardening mood lately, but holding something built to grow things made me want to plant again. I’m rethinking this year’s plans, maybe scaling back on vegetables and focusing more on raising meat. Still, I can’t go without tomatoes, zucchini, or pumpkins, so there will be a garden, even if it’s a smaller one.
🌱 Greenstalk Seed Starting Trays: greenstalkgarden.com/products/greenstalk-seed-starter-kit-evergreen/?rstr=SHOP1870
🌺 Greenstalk Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870
(Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
Stick around to the end to see the final steps of the pumpkin puree process, plus a few thoughts on the value of a good, long-lasting kitchen tool. Some things hold up better than you’d expect, and some things don’t last nearly as long as they should. Sort of like everything else in life.
⚔️ Ninja Food Chopper: amzn.to/3EbGygo
🔗 Vitamix Replacement Gears: amzn.to/4hcVxFq
---------------
👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🥒 Epic Gardening: glnk.io/73j50/8vn (Promo Code Shop1870 to get 5% off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Why I Freeze Pumpkin Puree
02:19 Prepping and Baking the Pumpkins
03:09 Health Update Lyme Disease Concerns
04:47 Liver and Kidney Test Results
05:35 Colonoscopy Scheduled Due to Family History
06:28 Ongoing Symptoms and Doctor’s Thoughts
07:19 Heart and Rheumatology Concerns
08:52 Next Steps with Liver Testing
10:18 Greenstock Seed Starting Kit Review
12:54 Changing Garden Plans for the Year
14:20 Final Pumpkin Processing and Storage
17:24 Wrap Up and Final Thoughts
