Not All Pumpkins Are Created Equal

I attempted pie pumpkins again this year.  I have been really good about watering them all the time (I couldn't ignore them like I have been ignoring my tomatoes) and I thought they were doing so well- there were long, healthy vines and so many blossoms (one blossom equals one pumpkin).  I checked on them this weekend and this is what I found:

This is one of two pumpkins.  It's difficult to see in the picture so I will explain why these pumpkins are some-what dubious.  This pumpkin is about three times larger than your average pie-pumpkin.  It is an odd, pale color (the pie pumpkins I have always seen/grew are a more traditional dark orange pumpkin-color).  It is also strongly ribbed, when my past pumpkins are more smooth.  This looks like a small version of those giant pumpkins you see at fairs or on the side of the road.  I don't know what variety it is, but Gurney's assured me that I ordered pie-pumpkins. I'm not so sure they put the right seeds in the right packet. 

I refuse to buy pie pumpkins at the store or even the farmer's markets- the cheapest I have found is $4 a pumpkin and I usually use ten to fifteen pumpkins to make pumpkin butter and the cost would be ridiculous.  I told Art we may have to take a drive to Wisconsin this year to that pumpkin stand we visited, but then he reminded me that they are in a worse drought than we are, so pumpkin butter may not be on the menu this year.