Little Boos

Every year I go on the quest for little boo’s, the popular itty bitty white pumpkins that go with everything autumn. If you saw my home decor post HERE you know this year I found them! Although they are affectionately called little boos they are actually just little white pumpkins. It got me thinking about gourds and pumpkins and the next thing you know I am sharing here with you.

One thing I discovered is some decorative pumpkins are edible, who knew? Oh, you did, there in the back, waving and saying ” I knew, I knew”. Awesome, next time please come with me. I think if it has the word pumpkin attached it is edible.

I tried to educate myself a bit on the different varieties of decorative pumpkins, squash, and gourds. As you know, I believe you are never ever to old to learn something new. The main distinction between squash and gourds is that squash is grown and harvested to eat, while gourds tend to be grown for decorative purposes.

The word pumpkin is actually a “general term” used for winter squash, and winter squash doesn’t actually grow in the winter. I said we’d learn things not understand them, giggle.

Below is what I believe are accurate identifications of the little pumpkins in the photo we often use in our autumn and Thanksgiving holiday decor. If you see one that isn’t correct please let me know.

#1 sweet dumpling

#2 patty pans

#3 little white pumpkins ( picked while small)

# sugar pumpkins

#5 crown of thorns

All squash is part of the Cucurbitaceae family. More commonly known as Cucurbita pepo, vegetables” round, with smooth, slightly ribbed thick skin, and the interior contains the seeds and pulp.  Feel free to throw the words Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbitaceae around a bit today. Find ways to add it to a conversation. But, in your heart, you know the itty bitty white decorative pumpkins are “little boos” ( wink).

Most pumpkins are edible, gourds are not! You can find a million different ways to add knobbly bumpy and colorful gourds to your autumn decor and of course little boos and little pumpkins too, on my Autumn Home board on Pinterest.

Have you been using little boos in your autumn decor?

I look forward to seeing you back here on Thursday for the best darn blog link up party in blog land. The Vintage autumn decor giveaway has ended please watch your email for a message from Katherine or Katherines Corner.