TToT (9) - All Things Sepember

 The last time I did this I said I was going to participate every other week.  Well, we know how that worked out, or not.  So, I'll tell you what.  I'm going to commit to being grateful all the time, and writing about it sometimes.  Works for me.

 

- one -

September weather has been spectacular.  Warm, clear days and cool nights - my definition of perfect weather.

 

 - two -

Beautiful sunrises. 

 

- three -

 Venus shining brightly. 

 

  - four -

Glorious sunsets. 

 

- five -

 Continued harvest from our garden. 

 

- six -

Hummingbirds hanging around just a little longer than usual.  The males head south first, usually at the end of August, beginning of September.  The females, like the beauty below, usually make their trek a week or so later.  This year they stayed a little longer.   

 

 - seven -

Saturday morning walks in the park

 

- eight -

The last of the of the local outdoor concerts were held Labor Day weekend.  Normally the concerts are just on Friday nights, but the finale spans three days.  We went to the Friday night show, a Kiss tribute band and they were spectacular.  I was never a Kiss fan, but these guys were excellent!

 

- nine -

Nothing good on TV.  That might sound weird, but without the distraction of the boob tube I've been reading a lot more.  A number of my favorite authors have had new releases and I managed to snag them from the library. 

 

- ten -

Most, if not all, of the canning for the year is done.  The last couple of years I have counted the number of tomatoes that I processed and the number of jars produced.  Not this year.  There was no counting, just doing.  I like that.  If we pick more apples, I might just have to can some of those.  But, as Martha says, it's a good thing!

 



Check out more goodness at  A Fly on Our (Chicken Coop) Wall.

 

AMDG

Wonder Doubled: Wonder Doubled Try Faith – It Works!

We have a new post up at the USCCB website For Your Marriage.

We had a visit from the teenage daughter of Donna’s cousin a few winters ago. She lived in Florida all her life and wanted to experience a Northern winter. We both enjoy all that the various seasons have to offer, so we were happy to share our winter wonderland with her. There is a sledding hill in a local park which is tall, steep, and long. So, Donna, Second Cousin, and I headed out to the park with our sleds and a jug of hot chocolate.

Now, Donna and I had never gone down this hill on sleds. We did stumble down it in a controlled fall a few times during the warmer months, though. We both had been sledding and tobogganing before, so we believed this would be no problem.

You can read the whole article here.

AMDG

It's a Great Day To Be Alive

This morning didn't start out the best.  Not bad, but not great.  Jack, the wonder dog, was a bit needy and demanded a walk before I left for work.  I was running a bit late so I decided to take the highway instead of the back roads that I normally drive.  Big mistake.  I hit a traffic jam precipitated by some doofusses (or is that 'doofi'?) that had gotten into a wreck.  Yippee.

When I got to work (late) I was met by more neediness in the world of IT.  Again, Yippee.  Everybody wanted something and nothing was working right. 

While I was in a meeting I received a text from a friend.  She was in the area.  Would I like to meet her for lunch?  You didn't have to ask me that twice.

We met at the "brown restaurant in front of Target" - I had no idea of its name and still don't recall it.  Over burgers we chatted about everything, anything, and nothing at all.  It was wonderful. 

It's amazing what a call from a friend can do.  That one text changed the complexion of my day.  To be thought of.  To be listened to.  To share ideas and laughs.  Thanks, T!



As Travis Tritt sings. . . .

And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin' when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?

AMDG

It's Been Decided

The votes are all in and it was unanimous.  We have a Pumchini!


Pumchini  "Family Picture"

Beside the bread, we have had pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin/squash soup.  Both were "Good Eats" as Alton Brown would say.

Now if only I could patent it and sell it for loads of money.  I'd be one happy gardener!

AMDG

Poll: A Squash By Any Other Name

We had a number of "volunteer" plants pop up in the vegetable garden this year.  Most were easily identifiable - pumpkins, acorn squash, tomatoes.

But then, there was the mystery plant.  It grew in the spot where the zucchini lived and died last year.  I must be the only person who cannot grow zucchini.

The first fruit off of it looked like a fat yellow squash.  And then these started appearing.  They look like long, really fat zucchini, but have the orange coloring of pumpkins.

Apparently, it's not all that unusual for zucchini, pumpkins and squash to cross pollinate and  become something new.  So, in the spirit of scientific discovery, this "thing" needs a name.  We've come up with two: a Zückin or a Pumchini.

But a squash by any other name still tastes as sweet!  I made this bread (minus the nutmeg) and the recipe is definitely a keeper.

Zückin or a Pumchini?  I know which one I like.  What would you call it?


AMDG

First Photo: September 2015

It seems that we blinked and August was over.  As I thought it would be, it was a crunchy month.  With very little rain, the grass, gardens, and stream all dried out.

But, with the dryness came visitors.  Several frogs that would normally make their homes in the stream found the patio waterfall a suitable second choice and their presence has been a delight.  The Hummingbirds have been "flocking" to the feeder as only they can do.  Arial wars have been abundant since they don't share all that well.

With help from the sprinkler, the vegetable garden is thriving.  There have been a few surprises and no real failures (unless you count poorly planted garlic last Fall).  We have been enjoying the fruits of our labor, literally, and have been able to share some with family and coworkers.

I look forward to see, slowly, leisurely, deliberately, what this month will bring.  I don't want to blink and miss it.


AMDG