Thursday, October 20, 2011

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
and
Deborah Jean for

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

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!
~*~
And
Amy at Homestead Revival for
Barn Hop #31

Thursday, October 6, 2011

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