This weekend has been a nice, bright one, and much needed. After the rigors of the start of opening yet another new showroom this week, the biggest in the company, the first four days were very physical. So, the weekend has been spent relaxing, doing a bit of prep for the next vacation, but mostly spent marketing and just enjoying the autumn. I went to both farm markets of Oak Grove, where I placed my order already for my turkey this year for Thanksgiving dinner, and to Strite's Orchid, one of my favorite markets in the area, and still family owned since 1834, and one my grandmother always used when she was around. Such fond and good memories there. They have hands down the best apple cider in the area I think, and this year some of the most delicious apples I think I ever had. I picked up a few items at both markets and then the meat and cheese stand Clyde Weaver at the big famers market. The weather has been downright beautiful all week, and this weekend was lovely. I decided mid-week I was going to need a nice autumn evening, so I had over some of the clan and Capital Street Duo for an Autumnal Evening...a charcutier tray I made up of smoked meats and cheeses, a selection of various spiced nuts, and my famous mulled bourbon cider, along with a warming bonfire. Nothing like a fire in the autumn I swear. I also today, clipped what may be the last flowers in the garden.
Market kitty siting in the carry boxes!
Sophie, the bird watcher, casing a nuthatch jumping up along the tree trunk.
Here is Sophie, guarding the stash I believe for the bonfire supplies last night.
And what a fire it was. Nice warming flames, good drinks and foods and friends. It was a very nice evening.
This morning, I found this poor boyd, floating in the one birdbath. The poor thing must have either have had a boyd stroke or it was just his time to go.
Last of the summer blooms I clipped, and we enjoyed some of the leftover mulled cider today. I'll share the recipe for my famous mulled cider later in the week for those interested. Hope you are all having a good weekend too.
There are so many different and wonderful kinds of pumpkins and gourds on the market now!
ReplyDeleteYour right Debs. When I was little, all we had was the gourds and typical orange pumpkins.
DeleteWhat a fabulous day. Well, not so much for the bird....
ReplyDeletereal apples ! I am mad-jealous
ReplyDeleteThat poor bird! His feathers look very mussed up/un-groomed, so he likely died from natural causes. Or he drank too much leftover cider and expired during a midnight swim.... I'm sure most Casa Borghese guests do not pass out in your bird baths, LOL!
ReplyDeleteAt least not yet.....
DeleteTwo things caught my eye, Sophie and those lovely flowers from your garden. Course I'd be lying if I said I didn't eye up that cider too. I look forward to the recipe.
ReplyDeleteLove all the pictures! Three reasons there is nowhere like autumn then the Northeast. 1 the produce, 2, the wonderful sights and smells of autumn, and three, the farmers markets.
ReplyDeleteBonfires...one of the best smells and times of the autumn. Your night sounds like one I'd like.
ReplyDeleteYour post is photographic evidence of why autumn and Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. Minus the poor bird.
ReplyDeleteWell...it is the season of death.
DeleteLovely pictures! Give me a good farmers market to get lost in. Those apples do look pretty damn good. And amazing that the family-owned market has been in business since 1834!!!!! Yes, please post the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI can just about smell the fire from here. I love the smell of bonfires. Pretty pictures as always...
ReplyDeleteI've grown the squash in pic 3 this year. They are so ugly! They gave 114 squash from 4 plants. The grandkids love them.
ReplyDeleteI hate finding dead birds in the garden. I think, why do they always come here to die? Hubby says it's because there isn't a more lovely place to die than in our flower filled garden. Maybe the same applies to your garden. Xx
I love all those squash too. Small of them get so cool looking with their twisty and turn stems.its not often I see a dead bird ....whole. Its usually a pile of feathers from carnage from a cat attack or a red tailed hawk.
DeleteI loved shopping at the local orchard markets when we lived in Connecticut. Your photos bring back great memories. The mulled cider and the fire add to the memories (although I never had your mulled cider). Unfortunately, the dead bird is another memory of Connecticut.
ReplyDeleteNow you reminded me of a good horror movie titled A Haunting in Connecticut.
DeleteI’ve never seen A Haunting in Connecticut and I think I’ll keep it that way!
DeleteIt is pretty damn scary....but such a good storyline.
DeleteStrites has quite a good reputation.
ReplyDeleteI bought their homemade apple pies that Mrs.Stritest makes herself, and they are damn good.Her pie crust is amazing.
DeleteSo many good things to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteLove the market and it screams Fall!
ReplyDeleteWe did cocktails with a group of friends to celebrate our anniversary and then a nice dinner out just the two of us. It was peaceful and lovely.
Well certainly sounds like you had a happy anniversary weekend then.
DeleteFab photos. they reminded me of the RHS Autumn shows we used to go to.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rd617xe86o - good pet news
ReplyDeleteAt first for a split second the guy wearing the leather half zip jacket I thought was you. You would totally rock that and with the pants open like that too.
ReplyDeleteI CAN SMELL THIS POST!!!!!!
ReplyDelete