Mother Nature

For me Mother Nature has been very kind this summer.  I just realized how lucky we have been to tend the garden on cool overcast days.  I was loving the garden weather. Today picking beans, cukes and onions was like being in a sauna, not the fun kind on vacations.  Wow, had I forgot what sticky, sweaty and just plain miserable felt like!  Dick was working on the tractor, mucking stalls and unloading sawdust. I was on my own.  Every once in a while I would glance toward the barn to see if there was a sign he was done.  Not that I'm accusing him of anything but it sure seemed like it was taking him a long, long time.  By the time the beans were picked and 3/4 of the cucumber row done he appeared.  Thank goodness, I don't think I could have finished picking the last 10 cucumbers ;)   The best part, it started raining one of those big drop, gentle rains.  Just what I needed.  Once the beans and cukes have soaked in ice water for two hours we will have a busy evening putting up dilly beans and sweet/spicy relish.  I'm using a new relish recipe but as usual I can't do it exactly so in will go a nice sized jalapeno.  Gotta keep it interesting!

Yesterday was off to NW NY with friends.  It was wonderful and to places we have never visited.  We stopped at a Farmer's Market in Lima, NY, then to visit Marcia's son in Rush, NY.  I took him and his wife, eggs, Swiss chard and rhubarb.  This is what "passing it on"  will do.  They gave us hot pepper jelly they made.  Today on our way to pick up Dick's Amish hat we stopped for fresh bagels to have for breakfast with the pepper jelly.  Excited to try it.  One of the reasons we stopped at the Farmer's Market was to visit with Marcia's DIL.  She is a pastry baker and takes her baked goods to the Market.  I had a Maple Madeleine and Dick had a Blueberry Bar.  Very good and packaged beautifully.  Presentation is very important.  Just like people, how someone presents themselves is how they are remembered.  On our way home we drove along Conesus Lake and stopped at Long Point Park.  The caretaker of the park stopped to chat and give us a little history of the park.  In it's early days there was an amusement park there.  I thought it might have been like the one on Cuba Lake that had a pavilion.   That was ummmmm 50 years ago!   It was a nice way to end the day with a peaceful water view and a little history lesson.  ♡Simple Pleasures♡

As I'm typing Dick has the binoculars scoping out the back field looking for anything that moves.  Apparently the food plot seed is sprouting because a couple big turkey with their young ones have been scratching in it most of the afternoon.  Easy supper for them.   Once it grows up the guys will be watching for buck to come in for a free meal.

How about the Maple Trees?  Today on our way to the Amish was an eye opener for the fact leaves are starting to show color, as in orange, red and yellow.  I'm a little surprised but I have never kept track when they changed in past years.  Maybe it is not early but sure seems like it.  One thing for sure, if we happen to have a bright colorful fall it makes for some mighty fine scenic rides no matter which way you go.  My favorite fall pleasure, put on a sweater and get out for a walk in the crunchy leaves, brisk fresh air and enjoy the colorful hills. Let's not forget apples and making cider, another seasonal thing we do at Cook'n by the Creek.  Hopefully this year there will be baked pizza in the outdoor wood fired oven to test.

"The Circle of Life",  all living things come complete circle in a lifetime.  Something I heard from "old" people growing up............once a man/woman, twice a child.  About 15 years ago I finally understood what the old folks meant.  My brother referred to this phrase and when he did I knew what he was trying to tell us.  How did I come up with such a deep subject?  Today looking at the end of the garden cycle, another garden soon to be put to rest for another year.  "Pass it on" whatever you have to offer before another season slips away.

The potatoes have come full circle, time to
put them up for winter.

My friend ♥she has a free loving spirit with a close to
nature being♥  After taking the picture it amazed
me how much it captured who she is.