Today, let’s head outside. Yesterday I gave you a short tour of inside vignettes. Because the weather is still so warm, I did much less outside this year. It has not felt much like autumn but more like hotumn, with moisture holding a steady grip on the air. Instead of cool and crisp, it just feels like the dying dog days of summer. I read that both this year and last, September and October are running 6 to 8 degrees warmer on average. One cannot argue with Mother Nature by stamping your feet in a temper tantrum and sobbing, “pal-ezze, make it autumn”! There is no chance for compromise either, it just is what it is, and gardeners have to learn to lean into doing whatever it takes to deal with the abnormal seasonal changes.
KBJ brought me home the osage oranges from a friends farm.
Front entrance to the house. The pumpkin fella in the middle was a temporary resident, as I made him as a gift for Jonathan and Amy friends of ours.
Both of these pumpkins heads were made with items that I already had. I used old buttons for the faces, I cut wire ribbon for their hair. This one has button ears, but the one above has acorns for ears. The leaves are hot glued between the two pumpkins.
The lantern is filled with tiny lights, a small gourd and pumpkin.
This was actually my first experience with a glue gun. OMG, I think I burned the fingerprints off a few fingers. Once I got the hang of it I was ok, but never, and I mean never again will I try and pull hot glue off of a finger. Hint, immediately plunge under cold water. I wasn’t really set up for doing glueing easily, so by compromising I paid the price. Hardhead I am, but I learned my lesson.
Some of you may remember “earth girl” from Christmas. This planter sits to the right of my front door, and the planter stand gets decorated for most holidays.
Some of the wonderful pumpkins and gourds from our local farm stand.
This box is on the deck rail right outside my kitchen window. The basil was spent so I, pulled it and added two small mums for a spot of autumn color. Oregano and parsley are still growing well.
The summer flower arrangements were faded both in the ground and in this urn, so I pulled them and added an immature mum and it grew to fill the urn completely. Vinca is a nice spiller and adds additional texture.
We made our last visit of the year to our farm stand. They will reopen in April. I thought I would share with you some photos of Crossing Brook Farm stand. We feel so fortunate to have organic, fresh vegetables to eat all season long. In spring they have lots of flowers, herbs and flower hanging baskets along with the veggies. Kent, the owner, seems to have inherited his father’s penchant for growing flowers and produce. His father just retired from managing the horticulture division at Monticello, home of President Jefferson, where he implemented lots of new and positive ideas to manage the soil and land in order to optimize growing without chemicals. Kent is assisted by his adorable girlfriend Alison, who manages the stand. They are hardworking and doing a wonderful job in providing farm to table opportunities for the surrounding areas.
I had never seen these colors in pumpkins before.
Some wild shapes as well.
The flat topped pumpkins Alison called Cinderella pumpkins. They are what I used to create my pumpkins above. Because of their shape, you can easily stack them.
We stocked up on sweet potatoes and onions, squash as they will keep for quite a while. Brought home more eggplant and tomatoes, beans and more. Many evenings we just ate veggies for dinner, with a salad or soup and sometimes some baked brown bread.
You could buy chances to win this straw pony. I had big plans for him for the holidays, so I purchased several tickets, but alas, I did not win. The only one happy about that is KBJ. I suggested to him that at least it was straw and not the real deal. Gosh, I miss having my horses. They donated the proceeds from the raffle to the local fire department.
In fall, they have amazing mums and pansies. I have already changed out several containers near the house with pansies. I can enjoy them now, and again in the spring, when they come back with a welcoming gusto.
Well, that is it for today. We are supposed to get a bit of rain today, but so far, just a few sprinkles. I am also heading out to pick up an armoire I found on Craig”s List. I have some plans for it and will share them in a post. Thanks for visiting. Laters, charisse
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