Fall 2012 Gourd Haul

 

So, here are the gourds Emilie and I picked last weekend from our garden.

 

We've not counted them but I would guess that there are close to 50 gourds in that Woolworth basket!  Anyone remember Woolworth?!

 

All these gourd from only two plants and they sprang out of our compost pile this Spring from last falls gourd's we used as decoration.  I transplanted them in a more suitable location and as you can see it paid off.

 

I have NO idea what we're going to do with all these gourds, so if you're in the area stop in and grab yourself one or two...

You Can't Drive 55...

 

FINALLY!!

 

Franklin's finest have finally acted on my numerous calls with more police presence in an effort to slow down the endless speeders on Lincoln Street!  They've even taken me up on my offer to set up speed traps in our driveway.  This isn't the first time they've been here in the last couple of weeks and hopefully not the last too.

 

It's crazy just how fast some people drive.  The posted speed is 35 but I can assure you that the average speed is closer to 45+.

 

Beep Beep...

Fall 2012 Carrot Harvest

 

Emilie picked the last of our carrots today and what a haul it was!

 

Of course they're delicious and the rabbits absolutely love the carrot tops and simple devour them, so not too much goes to waste.

 

Sadly, for us and our rabbits and chickens, gardening season is coming to an end. You just can't beat fresh home grown veggies!

I'm "One of The Best..."

 

We have a Gateway laptop that no longer boots.  It appears that the machine is not getting power.  So, I reached out to Gateway technical support via their website and fired up a chat session with a support technician named Prabhu.  For the sake of this blog posting I will be referring to Prabhu as "Peggy".

 

Clearly "Peggy" was responding using a script and although very professional and courteous, it was nauseating just the same.  Don't get me wrong I love courteous, and in my opinion courtesy in every day interactions is hard to find any more, but "Peggy" was a little over the top.

 

After describing the laptop issue "Peggy" had me try several troubleshooting tasks and in the end he believes the issue is with the power adapter unit (the cords that plug from the wall outlet to the computer).

 

He provided me with information on where to purchase replacement parts for our Gateway and even apologized if he ever disappointed me, WOW.  So I'll look into it further.

 

In closing, and I think we can all agree that this was NOT being regurgitated via a script, he said, "You have been one of the best customers I have come across...".

 

I have that effect on people!  After all, I'm a people person...hahaha

Hosta Eaters...

 

Here is a pretty cool picture of our Hosta eaters.

 

They've been hanging out in the neighbors side yard, which is nicely wooded but every now and then they venture out into the lawn and flowers.  The mother is super diligent and disappears into the woods with baby in tow at the slight noise.  However, as the baby is getting older she's not quite as skittish.  The little one is always running and jumping, twisting and turning.  They're fun to watch but I'd prefer they stay in the neighbors yard and away from our flower beds.

Turtle Release Day!

 

Emilie and I released our two snapping turtles into a nice, secluded pond that is set back a good distance from the roadway.  Hopefully these dudes will have learned their lesson and steer clean of the street.  They might not be so luck the next time.

 

The smaller one we've had for two years and kept him indoors all last winter.  The larger one I saved from surely being road kill on Rt.109 back in the Spring.  As far as turtles goes they were fun to watch when being feed.  They didn't waste too much time when food was dropped into their tank.  Although, we caught many an insect, which they eagerly devoured they took a particular liking to shrimp.  Of course that sealed their fate and quickened their release.  After all, if anyone around here is going to be dining on shrimp it's going to be ME!!

Visiting Bird - III

 

The other afternoon we had, from what I could see, about 8 - 10 visiting Bluebirds.  These insect eating machines appeared to be doing just that eating insects!  However, I think they were also eating butterflies, boo!

 

They were hanging in and around our Butterfly bushes, which are loaded with all kinds of insects from butterflies to bees and beyond.  Of course I would prefer they stick to eating the "bad" insects; you know the ones that do more damage than good but since they only stop by once in a while, it's still nice to see them.

 

Visiting Bird - II

 

This time of year, when the Echinacea flowers are turning to seed, the Goldfinch appear to gorge themselves.  Like the Hummingbirds, they're in and out all day long.  You can hear them singing away and talking to one another.  They also enjoy our Thistle and Sunflowers too.

 

There is a male and female Goldfinch dinning in the above photo.

Visiting Birds - I

 

How's this for a photo?!?!

 

The hummingbirds go coo-coo for our trumpet vine flowers.  When this dude is in bloom the hummingbirds are in and out all day long.  They're busy little creatures for sure and provide endless enjoyment for us to watch them do their thing.

Cold Digits, Brr

 

Work-at-home day today!

 

Needed to break-out the old slippers.

 

I'm thinking this means Fall is upon us.  Either that or I've become a weenie.  Perhaps, both.

 

My feet-sies are nice and toasties!

First Encounters...

 

Just after dark the other night I came across this ginormous Eastern American Toad parked smack dab in the middle of our front walk way, so I snatched him up.  Wasn't too keen on the toad pee all over my hand that followed but I knew it was gonna happen, it always does.

 

We thought it might be interesting, not for the toad of course, to introduce said toad to Trixie dog, so we did and oh what fun it was!

 

The toad was hopping all over the kitchen in his attempt to get away but Trixie dog was following right behind.  She was a little apprehensive at first but perhaps once she realized the toad didn't pose any danger her courage grew ten-fold.  It was very funny.

 

The next introduction needs to be a snake!  This way it'll teach Trixie dog that not all critters will turn and flee.  Just need to get a hold of a snake. Time is limited as fall in upon us.

Find The Critter

 

Can you find the critter in the above picture?!

 

You're looking for a juvenille Eastern Blue Bird...

You're Getting Sleepy Sleepy...

 

HELLO!

"Stanley" The Caterpillar

 

I found this dude while weeding my raspberries. Based on what I can find online I believe its a Zale caterpillar but unable to narrow it down any further.

 

We decided to hang onto to it to see if it would make a cocoon and what it would turn into.  That worked fine for a couple days but somehow the dude was able to get out and took off.  This was a bummer, as we didn't get to experience that process but also had I known it was going to get away I simply would have feed it to our turtles. At 2 inches that would have been a good snack.

 

Oh well, perhaps I'll come across another one.

What a WIN!

 

The Sacred Heart Field Hockey team was in Cambridge this past Monday for an afternoon game against the Harvard Crimson.

 

And what an exciting game it was!!

 

The game went into double-overtime with the score tied 1-1 and with just 1:17 remaining SHU scored to win the game, awesome!!  SHU is now 3-1 on this young season!!

 

Of course the win was just the icing on the day.  The day was absolutely beautiful; Emilie went with me and, not only got to see her big sister play, but also to watch an official field hockey game.  She has just started playing field hockey herself, so hopefully she picked up one or two tidbits of the game; and we both got to spend a little time with Stephanie after the game and before her 3+ hour bus ride back to Fairfield, CT.

 

WINNING!

Blue As Blue Can Get

 

Look how awesome and blue the sky was the other day!!

 

Just perfect!

Find The Critter

 

Can you find the critters in the above picture?!

 

You're looking for Squash Bugs.  Actually, they're still young, so technically you're looking for Squash Bug Nymphs...

Tomato Canning 2012 - Take II

 

JoAnne completed her second batch of tomato canning of the season yesterday!

I picked another (3) heaping 5-gallon buckets of luscious tomato's, which produced:
 

22 Quarts (44 to-date)

&

24 Pints (47 to-date)
 

I say, Giddy-Up!!

Carrots 2012

 

Picked the first four carrots of the season this afternoon!

 

There are many, many more to be picked too.

 

The rabbits are happy too, as they absolutely love snacking on the carrot tops.

 

It's a win win!

Oh Deer(s)...

 

Finally caught a glimpse of the deers that have been feasting on our perennials and raspberry plants.

 

Spoted them the other morning in the neighbors back yard.  Pictured is the mother deer. She only had one baby in tow this year.  Last year she had twins.  I was unable to get a picture of the baby, as it was bolting and zig-zagging all over the place and not standing still at all.  It was still spotted, so I'm guessing not too old and fun to watch.  However, the mother noticed me immediately, as you can see in the above picture, and quickly turned and ran into the woods with the baby following closely behind.

 

I'm sure we'll see them again and as long as they stay in the neighbors yard and eat their perennials we'll be good.

Eggplant - Violette di Firenze

 

Back in September of 2011 I placed an online seed order from a company called Seven Acre Seeds.

 

At the time I was after a different Garlic to plant and selected their hard-neck German White Garlic and what a winner that turned out to be!

 

Anyway, as a bonus with that order, Seven Acre Seeds, included several free packages of seeds to try.  For the life of me I can not recall what they all were except for this awesome eggplant, which is called "Violette di Firenze".  This is an heirloom variety from Italy and touted as one of the best tasting eggplants.

 

This was our first eggplant ever grown and harvested here at the ole homestead.  Also, and I will toot my own horn here, these plants were started indoor and as you can tell, transplanted successfully!

 

There are more on the way and we'll let you know how tasty these dudes are!

Tomato Canning 2012

 

JoAnne completed the first batch of tomato canning of the season on Friday!

 

So, (3) 5-gallon buckets of luscious tomato's made:

 

21 Quarts

&

24 Pints

 

Giddy-Up!!

Prankster In The Hen House

 

Looks like we have a joke-ster in the hen house!

 

One of the lady's thinks it funny to lay a bantam sized egg instead of the x-large egg they're supposed to be laying.

 

At the price feed I for one do not see the humor in this little prank.  They better shape up of they'll be shipped out!

Yummy Corn 2012

 

Here's our first mess of Silver Queen corn on the cob of 2012!

 

These were picked from already started plants that JoAnne bought at mark down from WalMart.  My to my surprise the plants transplanted and have done quite well.

 

Sadly, these dudes were not as tasty as they look.  They should have been picked a week or so earlier.

 

There's more coming along from seeds we planted so we have more locally grown, tasty corn to look forward to.

What Time Is It?!

I say, WHAT TIME IS IT?!

 

I can't hear you!

 

One more time, WHAT TIME IS IT?!

 

 

That's right, it's tomato canning time!!

 

The wife has her work cut for her for sure.  I just picked (3) heaping 5-gallon buckets full of beautiful, juicy tomatoes, yummy!  With plenty more on their way too.  She has the day off of work (her regular job) tomorrow but will still be working even harder here in the ole kitchen.

 

Of course I'm not doing all the work, at least not on the cooking side rather on the planting side, but I can honestly say it's well worth all the hard work and oh so delicious too!!

Find The Critter

 

Can you find the critter in the above picture?!

 

You're looking for a Green leafhopper...

The Vines Are Taking Over!

In keeping with the theme of seeds I started indoors this Spring, here are our Butternut squash plants.  I don't remember how many seeds I planted but (4) grew, which I transplanted outside when the weather was right.  Today, they're taking over this section of lawn but this was to be expected and fine with me, less grass to cut on a weekly basis.

In this jumble of creeping vines are a couple gourd plants, see first picture above.  I transplanted these plants out of the compost pile. They're last year's Halloween decorations that we composted and they reappeared in the Spring for another run at Halloween 2012.

From what I can tell, it looks like there are oodles and oodles of both butternut squash and gourds.  They're simply too massed together to be able to get in there for an accurate count. But that's fine and adds to the harvesting surprise come fall.

Now if I could just keep the vines from climbing the fence and the nearby shrub that would be nice.

They're Called "Teddy Bear" Sunflowers

What do you think of these little beauties?!  Cool ain't they!

They're called "Teddy Bear" sunflowers.

The plants themselves are short, can't be more than 3' high.  However, I'm not sure if this is to be expected or perhaps a results of, (a) being started in doors and/or (b) the crazy, wacky Spring weather we had.

In any event I love em!  They're unique looking and add some pizazz to the garden.  They also contrast well to the "Mammoth" sunflowers that Emilie and I planted.  Those dudes are well over 7' tall - pictures to follow soon.

It's Hibiscus Blooming Time, 2012

Our lone hibiscus plant is in the midst of blooming!

The flowers are absolutely beautiful, just wish they lasted longer.

Anyway, where there is a hibiscus plant the dreaded hibiscus sawfly isn't too far behind, see top picture above.  It's been that way ever since we first planted ours several years ago.  I visit the plant daily and squish the sawfly worms, which seem endless.  They do a number eating the leaves, see above, and this example of an eaten leaf is not too bad.

Fortunately, the sawfly doesn't seem too bright or fast.  I'm able to catch them with relative ease and squish them.  Now the potatoe beatle is sneaky and fast, they're harder to catch.  But in the end, they all squish the same, which is well worth it as long as the plants can reap the benefits.

Mmmm A Berry Good Time!

YUMMY!

Our thornless black raspberry plants are rewarding us with nice plump, juicy and delicious berries!

We have only (2) plants, which I transplanted several years ago from my folks house, but they've finally taken hold and doing quite well despite the hot humid weather.  These beauties came direct from a famous Tennessean by the name of Faber, Joe Faber.  He's known for his green thumb and rumor has it he's quite the fisherman too!

Hope I can parlay these two plants into about a dozen more.  In the meantime, we'll enjoy the berries we get today.  Bring on the vanilla ice cream!

Miscellaneous Attic Toys

Miscellaneous Vintage toys:

(from left to right)

Playskool Jumbo Beads - pre 1964

Gem Color Company Magic Wood - 1957

Wm Knox Gismo the Construction Set - 1960

Whitman Krazy Ikes - 1964

Haslam 32-Piece Chess Men - pre 1964

Spot The Critter

Can you spot the critter in the above photo?

If not, here's a close up of the dude.

Cluck Cluck Cluck Cluck Cluck Cluck Cluck Cluck

Despite the heat and humidity the ladies are happy and content these days and continue to supply us with 4 to 6 eggs each day.

I do have to say that these girls are some of the noisiest chickens I've ever owned.  They're extremely boisterous and proud when they lay their eggs and carry on something aweful and equally so when it comes to visiting and inquisitive critters, i.e. a local cat that comes around occasionally.

Perhaps, they're competing with the neighbor's dogs to see who can be the most obnoxious and annoying.  Sadly, the dogs win that contest in a landslide.

Flower Managerie 2012

Gotta love when the flowers are flowering!

The bees and butterflies and insects galore are enamored with them too!

Zinnia Sampling 2012

I'm on a flower posting kick...

We have a bunch of planters that we filled with various annuals this past Spring and all are looking great!  Even with the hot and humid weather we've been having, these potted plants get special attention and watered almost daily.

As a thank you they're rewarding us with outstanding blooms!  Here are several of the Zinnias!

Daylily Sampling 2012

Here's a sampling of just a few of the many daylillies we have scattered throughout our yard.

Unfortunately, these beauties don't last too long, but while they're around they impress!

My favorite is the double orange!

Move Over!

Four nest boxes to choose from but these two ladies prefer to share the same one.  Actually, it's strange how most of the eggs, from our six hens, are laid in this same nest box.  Almost never in the bottom two nests, weird.

In the end it doesn't matter to me which nest box the eggs are laid in, so long as the girls continue to lay them.  You just can NOT beat (no pun intended) fresh, just laid eggs, yummy!

World of Family Fun Bingo

1971 vintage World of Family Fun Bingo game by Hasbro

Play Ball!

Just wanted to provide proof that this years garlic is in fact the size of an official baseball!

And it's delicious too!