A Wonderful Autumn Day

The garden may be over for the season but Autumn is still a wonderful time to be outdoors.  Yesterday was one of those days!

And that was in the shade!

A perfect day for bedding on the clothesline.

Leaves are quickly covering the ground.  Oh, and acorns too!  I think there are approximately 3 trillion of them in my yard.

Smudgie sunning.

 

Elsa (aka City Dog) enjoys nature’s bounty of acorns as toys.

The brugs are enjoying the weather – no longer panting from excessive heat.

I don’t ever recalling having to water in October!

Geraniums really seem to enjoy cooler weather.

Last year I was in a little store where they bring in their geranium flower boxes and over winter them in a window.  Even though it’s a drafty spot, they survive and actually thrive.  I may try that this year.

I hope you are enjoying good weather too.

The First Miner Rescued in Chile

The first of the Chilean miners was rescued from the San Jose mine about 1 1/2 hours ago.   The thought of being contained 1/2 mile under the earth's surface for 69 days is much more than my mind can fathom.

Please pray that the other 32 are brought home safe and sound to their families.

Paper Pollution in your Mailbox - Project Genesis

On the 1st day of each month Suzan aka Old*Grey*Mare  hosts a meme where people are invited to share their tips for a more eco-friendly lifestyle.    Aptly named “Project Genesis”.   

One day at a time.  One person at a time.  One thing at a time.

The common mindset used to be that a single person could not possibly make a difference.   I never agreed with that notion.  In my mind, we can all make a difference.    A “grassroots” effort.  Each of us can make a difference.  Like a cold, we can be contagious.  

So let me get on my proverbial “high horse”.  Paper pollution is not only wasteful but extremely annoying.    I used to get stacks of mail that were 1 to 2 inches thick.   There were days when I thought I might have to hire a mail handler!  Opening my mailbox to 8+ credit card applications and 1,2, 3 or more catalogs was not unusual.  That WAS then.  Then I signed up with Catalog Choice.



It’s easy and it’s free!   And it really works!   Just add the names of the catalogs that you get but don’t want to receive.   Within a short time, the catalogs stop.   You can add more catalogs  as needed.  It  made huge difference in the amount of junk mail that I get.

My other huge pet peeve is credit card offers but you can also stop receiving them here:  



You should know that they will ask for your personal information (including SSN) so you should read it carefully and make your own decision.    It has reduced the credit card offers in my mailbox 98%.

Don’t forget to to visit Suzan aka Old*Grey*Mare  to see and share more tips on living a more earth friendly lifestyle.

Fall is in the Air - Out & About – Fertilizer Friday

Wow!   Fall sure didn’t creep in this year!  We went from 90 degrees and sweltering to a high of 70 and very cool nights in just a few days.

September 8th was the last time I had visitors at the Hummingbird feeder.

I figured it might be the last time.  Boohoo - until next year.

The Morning Glories were in full swing just a few days ago…..

….and now they are fading.

The daturas are still blooming but…..

…..starting to put out seed pods for next year.

One of the prettiest weeds is showing up everywhere….

Pokeweed!  I love those deep purple berries.

On a recent jaunt, my new roomy, a former city dwelling dog, is being introduced to the suburban life.

A few days ago on a trip to a pond a few minutes from here, Elsa met some new “beasts”.  And much barking ensued.

“What is that!?!?!” she barked.

The beasts were very curious too.

There were every bit as interested in her as she was in them.

They followed us along the fence.  And at one point even showed off by kicking up their heels and prancing around.

I would have loved to get a little closer but didn’t want to spook the horses.  Maybe next time.

So what’s going on in your neck of the woods?  A good place to see what 's going on elsewhere is to visit Tootsie’s Fertilizer Friday.

Waning Days of Summer

It’s no secret, the days of summer are quickly shortening.  From the 8:30 sunset of just a few weeks ago to the 7:08 sunset last night.   Days are shorter, nights are cooler and good old Fall is creeping in.  I love Fall.  It’s that “other” season that follows it that I don’t like so much. 

In past years this would be the time I would ponder putting the garden to bed.  Not this year.   The tomatoes are still doing well yet other things have been yanked out.  Making room for a few experiments.

I planted these a couple of weeks ago…

Will they be ready before the frost?  I dunno.  But I would never know if I didn’t try!  We shall see.

Today I added these…..

30 days to maturity.  Maybe.

42 days.  Maybe.

I’ve had a new helper in the garden this year.  One of my daughters has moved back in (until further notice) and brought with her, her  four legged friend.  Ms. Elsa (aka:  Salsa, Sausalito, Monkey, Bubby, and so and so on.). 

It has become a daily ritual for her to check on the veggies with me.  Oddball that she is, she has taken to eating a few things that I harvest.

She loves freshly cherry tomatoes and peas.   Today I offered a sweet banana pepper.

Yup.  She liked that too.

It is with mixed feelings that I say goodbye to summer (not yet, but soon!).  I do welcome the cooler temperatures for sure.  Enjoy the waning days!

Buy Local - Project Genesis

I recently came across a blog that sparked my interest.   It’s interesting, and fun, and sometimes more than just skin deep.  Just the kind of thing that I like to read.  It is hosted by Suzan aka Old*Grey*Mare.



Suzan is hosting a monthly (1st of each month) blog post where everyone can share tips for living a more socially responsible life.  Aptly named “Project Genesis”.   (Suzan, I hope you don't mind that I used your header.  Just this once.)

I remember back to the earliest days of recycling.  In my town, in Canada, that was more than 20 years ago.  Back then, the consensus was kinda “what one person does, doesn’t make much of a difference”.   And the experts agreed.  It had to be widespread.   Regardless, I didn't care who said I wasn’t making a difference, with just a little amount of conscious thinking, it quickly became habit in our house.   I can only imagine how much has been kept out of landfills from just our family.

Now, something else has been on my radar recently with the recent outbreak of salmonella in the egg industry .   The television coverage of these recent events has made me cringe, turn away, and change the channel.   And cry.    I suppose I have been functioning in “ignorance is bliss” mode.  The way these poor creatures are forced to live is heartbreaking.  

So next on my agenda is to become more diligent about buying local eggs. 



I already buy whatever I can locally and this is just one more reason to support our local farms.    Fresher food and money spent in the local economy.  Why not?

I think each and every one of us can make a difference.

Hallelujah!

It worked!

My rain dance worked!

I have been longing for a good and proper rainy day.  It's started raining yesterday and it's still going strong!    I'm watching the news right now and it's predicted to go on for one or two more days.   

Much needed relief!  For me it's about balance.  Relentless hot and dry weather makes me feel out of whack.  My garden has repeated this sentiment.  As a matter of fact, I just peaked out the window down to the veggie garden and I think I saw the tomatoes smiling!

A Splendid Day - Experimenting for Fall

 

It never ceases to amaze me how affected we are by the weather.    I love the outdoors but I would be the first to say that on stifling hot day, my garden is mostly neglected.  Containers get watered and that’s about it.   We all grumble and groan when it’s too hot, or too cold.  Myself included.  But today…..was picture perfect.  Beautiful 80 degree weather with NO humidity!    So my thoughts turned to Fall veggies.    I have pondered planting cool weather crops for the past couple of years but a combination of weather and life in general have stopped me.  Until today!  Time to experiment.

 

The task involved pulling some veggies that were done for the year and turning the soil.    It was fun playing in the dirt again!

 

So, for the 1st time ever I have planted cool weather crops!  (It sounds so silly to say “crops” but…..)  SO this is what was planted:

 

Beets and, um, black eyed peas maybe??

 

   

 

Peas and Spinach

 

 

It will be fun to see if this experiment works.  Nothing like hands on experience to learn something new. 

 

Oops….I took a while to put this post together so I actually planted on Saturday but posted on Sunday.

Veggie Garden Update

Time to track the backyard garden happenings.   It’s been an odd summer – relentless heat and high humidity yet very little rain.  I thrive on balance and the garden agrees.  Not nearly enough rain.

Ok so…let’s talk tomatoes.

TOMATOES
Last year they were a complete bust because Late Blight kicked them to the curb but things are better this year.

Love these!  Thankfully they are plentiful!

Now for the other veggie garden inhabitants…..

Will it or won’t it?  We shall see.

Dunno about this.  Seems like it’s all male flowers.

Strawberry is making a second attempt.  I don’t even know where I got these so I don’t know what type they are but I’m guessing '”Everlasting”.

It was looking good and then the squash bugs made an appearance.  To the right in the pic is a decimated zucchini.  I have gotten two nice zucchinis.  Fingers are crossed.

Blooms are abundant but color is fading.

The white Datura is happily blooming but I am still waiting on the purple.

I am just growing these for the 1st time this year and can see that the white and purple can easily be identified by the color of their stems.  See?

A favorite in it’s waning state.

Today I noticed activity in a tree by the creek.  It looks like nesting is going on!  About 20 feet from my deck.  I hope I get to observe them for a while.

And that is today’s garden report!