Vintage...

...irrigators filled with ...

Pansies and Violas...

hang on posts along the driveway...

greeting family and guests

with shots of color... 

on grey, rainy days of October.

~*~

Joining Tracie at Fishtail Cottage for

Outdoor Fall Decor #4

and

Deborah Jean for

Farmgirl Friday

Squashed!

With the continual rains we have been having

and no cool crisp nights in the forecast,

I harvested the remaining squash

and pumpkins from the garden.

I didn't want to risk losing them

to rot or those pesky deer

who have managed to, once again,

find a way into the garden.

I grew and gave away many

plants this year, saving three of

each type of squash for our

own garden.

Three Rouge Vif D'etampes (Cinderella) Pumpkins,

three Carnival (Acorn) Squash

and three Sweet Meat (Hubbard) Squash

produced more than enough for the

two of us to enjoy throughout the

winter.

I will tuck them into beds of hay

in the barn to store them.

Throughout the season, we can uncover

a tasty treasure to serve with our

cozy winter meals.

~*~

If you have never cooked a Sweet Meat Squash

(or other large winter squash)

join me in The Pantry to see

how I prepared one

for our dinner and

for the freezer!

~*~

Joining Jami at An Oregon Cottage for

And
Amy at Homestead Revival for
Barn Hop #31

An Autumn Porch

My porch is very small, and I don't have a lot to work with

as far as 'decor' goes, so I use what I have and

what I find in the garden, barn and woodland.

Below is the garden 'Welcome' sign that I made

this Spring. I placed it on the bench and

added a branch of wild rose hips.

A homemade grapevine wreath is also adorned with

wild rose hips.

A vintage milk can from my Grandpa's farm is topped

with a yellow garden mum and Cinderella Pumpkins

(Rouge Vif D'Etampes), Carnival and Sweet Meat

Squash harvested from the garden find a place

to greet guests, too!

An old, brilliantly colored wool blanket is draped

across the bench ~ the cats love to scout for farmyard

activity from here while staying out of the weather.

Another pumpkin temporarily holds the place where a burlap

pillow in the making will sit.

An apple basket filled with more squash (and a wayward tomato ~

how'd that get in there?) and a vintage cream can are

next to the bench and an old twig broom with a few sparse

leaves, grasses and pods hangs above.

It's a shock of color but company has no trouble finding the front door!

That's my porch for today ~ it will change as my mood

changes, just like our weather!

Joining Fishtail Cottage for

and

Deborah Jean for

Farmgirl Friday!