This is what's left in the garden.  A few peppers hanging on, some kale and Giant Red Mustard, and of course the leeks (that pile at the top of the picture.)

 

It has been a fabulous year in the garden.  I guess like everything else this year, it's been out of control.  But hey, in the garden, that can be a good thing.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Look how pretty this mustard is.  The big leaves are about 15 inches long.  And the color is so rich.  These plants came from seeds sown this summer when the Giant Red Mustard bolted.  The seeds fell to the ground and planted themselves.  

 

I planted some spinach and kale, and lettuce, but somebody got into the garden and ate it all.  They haven't bothered these bigger plants though.  Bet it's baby rabbits that get in under the fence.  Oh well, we've had plenty, and there is still enough for us all.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

And this is what I am most thankful for today.  

 

Our comfortable home, Jon, and Gizmo.  Our happy little family.  Even though we miss our peeps.

 

Gotta get the turkey started.  Even though it's just us this year, we will still enjoy cooking our Thanksgiving feast:  turkey and chestnut dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and broccoli casserole.  Not sure which part I like best:  the cooking or the feasting.  Or maybe the wine for lunch...  

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

 

 

This is what I've been most thankful for my whole life.  

 

Betsy, Julie, Momma, Me, and Linda.  

 

I know the photo is kinda old, December, 2003, and we've all changed since then, but it's still the best way I know to show you my beautiful mother and sisters.  We live too far apart these days, and don't get to see each other nearly enough, but I am so thankful that we will always be BEST FRIENDS.

 

I hope you ALL have a 

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

 

 

I saw this picture on a Vegetable Gardening website, and just loved it!!!  Cabbages and Marigolds planted together.  

 

They said that the marigolds deter the cabbage white butterflies from the cabbages.  I've grown marigolds all over my garden for years, and the cabbage whites still come and lay their eggs on all things Brassica:  kale, turnips, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower.  Maybe I need to crowd the marigolds in closer to the cabbages.  Next spring...

 

Anyway, isn't this a great picture?  Wonder where they walk?  This looks like a commercial operation; they probably harvest by machine.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

I know we still have another month of fall, but....

 

When we looked up at the sky on our walk the other day, this is what we saw.  It sure looks like winter to me.  At least it's not that cold yet.

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

 

How cute is this?  This is our new family member, Gizmo.  He came from the Valley River Humane Society in Murphy.  

 

He was found on Crisp Road on November 10, and spent 8 days at the shelter.  He was given the name Gizmo when he arrived, and it just fits him.  But we do call him other things like Squeeky, and Rascal, and Houdini.  He's about 2 years old they said, and weighs about 6 pounds.  Of course, while he was at the shelter, they neutered him, and gave him all those shots.  

 

We spent about 3 hours there.  We saw lots of kittens, maybe 30, and lots of adult cats, ages one year and up.  This little one came out of a box in the corner, as we were trying to decide which one to adopt.  He stole the show, not with any performance, but with his gentle, sweet personality.  We were sold.

 

We have been in animal shelters before, and sometimes it is heartbreaking.  I remember tears the last time I visited a shelter.  This time was different.  It was a kind and gentle place.  The people there were attentive and we could tell they were happy to be there.  The hardest part was seeing all those gray DSH (Domestic Short Hair) tabbies reminding us of Ranger and Blazer.  But all in all, it was a very pleasant experience.  

 

And we came home with our new fur baby, Gizmo.  

 

 

THAT'S MY STORY, AND I'M STICKING TO IT!!!

 

 

We have been seeing this in the park for the past couple months.  It just keeps getting bigger.  GROSS!!!

 

I put the Seek app on it and learned that it is Black Sooty Mold, Scoria spongiosa.  Now here's the interesting part, from Wikipedia:   Scorias spongiosa is a sooty mould fungus that grows on aphid honeydew.  It is found only on American beech trees, Fagus grandifolia.

 

Yep.  This is definitely American Beech.  And when we first noticed it there was a branch above this one, full of tiny white egg looking things.  Seek called them Beech Blight Aphids.  That was September 6th.  I didn't save the aphids picture, sorry, but the Wikipedia picture looked exactly like my Seek picture. 

 

Here's what Wikipedia said about Beech Blight Aphids:   Deposits of sooty mold caused by the fungus Scorias spongiosa build up below the colonies growing on the copious amounts of honeydew the insects exude.  The aphids do not usually cause much damage to overall tree health, but dieback is occasionally seen on very heavily infested branches. If infestations are heavy, twigs may die, but damage to the tree is usually minor. 

 

That's good news.  And fascinating information, if you ask me.  I love learning about this stuff.  Now when I see the aphids and the mold, I'll know that they are doing exactly what they were designed to do:  work together.  More good news.  ;D  

 

I guess it's not so gross after all.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

You heard right:  FREE!!!  Two big, healthy Wisteria vines:  FREE!!!  All you have to do is go get them.  I'm not sure if the barrels are part of the deal or not.  They'd probably be too heavy to pick up anyway.  Check with Pete on that.  But the vines are healthy, and ready to grow someplace else.  

 

Nancy and Pete planted these Wisteria vines in barrels about six years ago.  They grew up over this pergola, and bloomed every spring, but they never got to see them in bloom.  Wisteria blooms in April, before they return from their home in Florida.  

 

Wisteria is an aggressively growing vine.  It needs plenty of space to grow.  More space than Nancy realized.  This pergola was swamped by the vines.  Our Wisteria vines have grown up about 30 feet into a copse of trees near the driveway.  They are so beautiful when they bloom.  

 

If you have room for them, I'm sure you'll love having Wisteria grow up into your trees.  And Pete will be glad to be rid of them.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING !!!!

 

Isn't it funny, it seems like the Bradford Pears were late changing color this year.  But it was this time last year that I wrote about the Pear Trees changing color.  In fact, last year I wrote about them on November 27th.  I think this is the same tree, on the curve above Al's house.

 

They just got started, then BOOM!!!  Cheryl said they seemed to change overnight!!  

 

When EVER they do it, they are gorgeous, and our neighborhood looks so pretty!!!

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!