The Traditionalist

The quintessential pumpkin.

Sometimes sticking to ye Ol' tried 

and true is the best way to go.

Pumpkin carving has always been an event at our house. 

Not because we want to carve elaborate designs, 

Or have a prize winning contest. 

But because, it symbolizes a right of passage for our

home grown pumpkins serving their life purpose. 

It sounds so profound, But it is true. 

Simplicity at it's finest. 

We had fun sharing our bounty with our 

friends and family at the Jennings Pumpkin patch.

Enjoy these pumpkin days this month.

Make something 'pumpkinlishous'! 

Something About Fall. . .

Something about fall. . . 

Although it is bittersweet when I come to hang clothes on the line and realize that this may be the last load, Or when I walk out to the garden and see things starting to fade, As is my tan, ha ha. But As everything turns with the seasons 

the change is always so welcoming to the spirit. 

I only wish that spring and fall would switch places 

with summer and winter... Wouldn't that be nice? 

I have always loved the fall, the splitting and smell of firewood, starting a pot of soup, or slipping a long sleeve 

or a pair of jeans on for the first time

because you are actually chilled. 

The crisp air, fires in the fireplace,

pomegranates, figs, apples, pears and persimmons,  

The list goes on and on. 

I never thought I would have my own pumpkin patch. But I do! And it is so fun to go out with the kids to pick when they are ready, But what is the best is that I can have my porch stairs overflowing with them, like you see in magazines. 

Yeah, that's me... One of my favorite things. 

Pumpkin Perfection

Fairytale Pumpkin

                                             

The Patch

                                               

 Glorious Gourds

                                       

Again, Natures  Amazing Palette & Design

                                       

So, We found  a secret wild pear tree a few years ago, and since we've been picking the pears are much more prolific. This year they are beautiful. I think we picked a bit early though, I Did not want the birds to get them first. So they have been gracing our kitchen windowsills, rotating with a brown paper bag waiting to ripen. It's such a treat getting a few each day that are absolutely perfect!

Check out this Melon! It's called a 

Bidwell Casaba Melon and oh my!

We have harvested the seeds for a few years now 

from each melon. It's character is sweet and succulent, 

somewhat like a cantaloupe but not so intense.

And so, so beautiful. We blended and froze 

the flesh this summer for a gelato type iced slush.

YUM!

As for the tomatoes... Beautiful grand plants, 

Maybe 20 tomatoes total (big ones)...

Yes, A bleak season. 

We did get a late start this year.

Disappointing for my winter stockpile.

Better luck next year. 

Ciao' for now.

Natures Bounty

This is the time of year that I feel like a mother squirrel hoarding away the harvest for the winter. It is hard sometimes to remind myself, when it is hot, I am sweating, itching with vegetable pollen, bugs are biting me, how much i enjoy the summer bounty in the midst of winter. The time and energy of the processing of it all can be overwhelming... Well if your garden is anything like mine. My husband wants to use up every inch of the usable land as long as it can get water. So I asked him, " At what point does it stop being gardening and start becoming farming?" Anyone?   

 Needless to say I am not much of a canner, I have tried it and have decided it is a sick joke in this weather.

(with no central A.C.) 

And I have not had much luck, seems mushy.  

However, I am a freezer.  I dig it. I like to blanch, or roast, or chop and freeze. I do always seem to can a batch of infamous pepper jelly though. It is nice to have on hand for get togethers and gifts.  when paired with cream cheese and crackers. divine.

So I do love food, and art and design. I often find the correlation between them as being some amazingly good stuff. So I take pictures of things that I find to be beautiful, and yes food tops right on up there. I am consistently in awe of the gifts nature has to offer, that could never be replicated in our wildest dreams.

 

The color and architecture of a pomegranate. . . . 

The intricacy of an artichoke. . .

Or the austerity of a persimmon tree. . . 

We are so blessed.