SEASONAL SNAPS

Currently on a side table in the bedroom! The way the light comes in, I found it very relaxing. 

This post for no other reason,is to just share a few current and pass pictures that I love and make me think of why I enjoy thanksgiving time.

After work today, Ill begin to prepare the feast of thanks for tomorrow. I have everything I need, the turkey picked up from the farm, and my aunt's favorite cookbook out and ready for parts of the meal. Ill prepare a few dished tonight to have ready to just pull out and put in the oven tomorrow morning. My aunt LOVED her Julia Child, as I was honored, she left the three cookbooks by her to me.

Ah candlelight.

My beloved material grandparents before they married.

My current turkey collection on the kitchen table.

Remembering dear Lilith waiting one year for the bird to come out of the oven. And yes, she waited THE WHOLE TIME.

Remembering Buster and my current Sophie from one Thanksgiving. It seems every dog I have is always a kitchen dog...meaning always under foot when in the kitchen cooking waiting for a scrap to fall. Sophie and Lily were almost always in the kitchen when I'm cooking.

When I lived in the old pied de terre who remembers when the wild turkeys would come out of the woods and roam the grounds? I'll never forget that.

The last picture is not mine but I always makes me chuckle.

FOOD PORN

 The dinner was a complete success and if I may toot my own horn, almost everything tasted just like many of the family recipes. The house smelled wonderful, and it was a three-hour affair. Everyone was stuffed. How full? When the visiting Lad and I turned in, we bypassed sex!!! But the bird!!!

Before

After

It also came up about a funny story about our late dog Lilith who was a Rhodesian Ridgeback. She was a great lover of turkey, so I do reckon Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday, and turkey being her favorite treat. But overall, she was what I called a kitchen dog. ALWAYS in the kitchen when cooking was being done.  We recalled one year, years back, where her patience and persistence were on display for almost the full four hours the turkey roasted...and would not let the oven out of her sight, till the bird emerged at long last.

What a riot she was, and she always got some. Good times!

 In other news, my cousin Frankie proposed to his girlfriend over the pumpkin pie last night during dessert. So there was that excitement!

AUTUMNAL CONFETTI

Just Friday after Lawn Daddy and son were here, the yard and gardens were clear of any leaves...and it seems like, no, it WAS, overnight, the great oak in the back yard littered the Casa and its gardens with leaves. Sadly, most of our annuals and such and salvia are covered with leaves. But the pups seem to enjoy them. Well except Lillith. She like to sit at the front door like Queen of Sheba. Some snaps taken early evening. Next question, where to starting with the blowing.

Did I mention it was almost 78 degrees today? 

And bees are still sighted pollinating in the roses and salvia? No bonfire tonight, but we did indulge in mulled cider under the festival lights.

THE PUMPKIN PATCH

 
This was the first time I think since my out-of-town trip to New Hope, that I'm finally in the autumnal mood, although the garden still says summer. The flowers are still going strong here. The zinnia are now going nuts. But how, when the tempts are definitely a bit nip. Yesterday found me over at Oak Grove for some produce, apples to make an apple pie, my first apple cider of the season...three quarts, which was delish I might add, and pumpkins and gourds for the garden. Pumpkins and gourds for some odd reason always make me feel happy, and I have no idea why. I guess it just adds a fun seasonal touch to the outdoors, and the fact that I love Halloween. The place was packed...I got in and out as there were many kiddies enjoying the little activity stations outdoors, they could partake in. I found two huge pumpkins to crave closer to Hallows eve, and way too many smaller ones to place about that will last right through till Thanksgiving. One kid got rambunctious and knocked his father's cart into the back of me, bouncing off my ass, and apologized. His words- "I'm so sorry for my child running our cart into your cakes!" CAKES! The father was a young hipster and I have the feeling swung for my team. Did I just get hit on by a man with child?!?!?!? I smiled and said no problem, I'm sure we can find a way to deal with this.... all the while batting the eye lashes. Joking!!!! Or was I? I got way too many pumpkins and gourds. 

I thought it best to go see the goats.

Even as chilly as it was, the evening called for mesquite rubbed pork chops and grilled squash and zucchini. Yes that happened, while Lilith salivated at the door.

LABOR DAY

After being back at the ancestorial home, it has given me a chance to play back in the dirt and get back into gardening again. With my little pied de terre, the only thing I could do was potter with a few potted plants on the front entrance stoop. Since the pandemic, and during it, I had time to toil... it's been fun getting the gardens back in order, and then moving back much later.... the garden has had over a year. And all the laboring is paying off. The back garden went bonkers this summer. From the roses to the salvia.

Desdemona White

Can't keep up with the dead heading of the roses and the knockout roses.

Vanassa Bell

The Coneflower did very well, and I even split them and started another coneflower bed.

Soaking in the rays

The potted garden by the back door did very well. The potato vines is going crazy!

I added 4 strands of festival lights in the backyard this season hanging from the house to a tree. The extra strand a weaved into the potted garden area and it turned out great. Adds some nice light without the bright porch light or attracting bugs at night. Makes for a nice sit at night.

Some sweet Italian Basil. Smells wonderful and taste great. I had never seen it flower before. I may try a herb garden next summer.

The smoke tree in bloom

As a regular reader will tell you, I'm no fan of toad or frogs. So, it was with much puzzlement that a came across what I believe a Eastern toad. We have no water source nearby like a stream or pond, except for our three birdbaths, so not sure where he came from. And that I got this close to it is a miracle itself. I had to explain to him to make sure to keep hi distance and we'll get along fine.

I had noted yesterday as to what and where I planted things. Next year I want to double up on Fushia, delphinium and dahlias. And add in more lavender and Russian sage. Today we have my uncle, and some cousins and two good friends of the clan coming for a small cook out. I have grilled romaine, zucchini and squash planned with salmon and tofu for the vegetarians.

Happy Labor Day