It's been a while, but here we are, in full-on lush to the point where everything has developed a mind of its own, and keeping up is not really a thing. That's okay. It's nice to see gardens veer down their own fork in the road and kind of do their own thing. First up, the apple grove, ha ha. Okay, four trees is not a grove, but they sure are producing this year. The limbs are full to the point where they are sagging under the weight of the apples. The first picture shows the prolific produce, the second shot is to help me remember that this year, we have some of our biggest apples yet. I mean, some of them are huge. We do not use pesticides or anything else, this is just straight-up nature. It's really impressive. Isn't the red on those apples just gorgeous?
Next up, pears! Now, these pears look "mottled" and odd, but trust me, they're not. Pictures do not do them justice. By the time they are ready to eat, they'll be a lovely, even green all over. They're getting huge, as well. Soon, the ground underneath will be covered in pears that fall off from being over-ripe. The apples are already doing that, and the fermentation process is STRONG. The yard smells like a cross between a confectionery and a distillery at times.
The pumpkins are doing beautifully so far. We are so excited. We've got some nice, big ones this year and I'm praying that they continue to get bigger and turn in a timely fashion. We do have one or two who are going to be early turners, as you can see by the picture below. That's okay. If they're orange enough, we'll pick them them in early September and use them in our fall decorating. Speaking of that . . . . next picture?
Corn. It's done. What we did not eat, the squirrels did! I think we got about 1/3rd, they got the rest. No worries, it is what it is. We share the earth with them, and I'm not a cruel person. If they nab some corn, so be it. But look at those stalks. Nice and creepy, eh? My dad and husband will put together some corn shocks that we will place around trees with autumn ribbon and pumpkins. We do the two trees up our driveway ever year, and it's so nice to come home to every day, particularly when the leaves start turning! The corn will stay right where it is as it dries out for fall decorations.
Kitty break! See those two? It's Bunny and one of her baby girls. When we take them outside for play, it's nearly impossible to keep them out of the trees. Sometimes we have to intervene and rescue, but they're getting better and better at getting themselves out of trees. Mama shows them how to navigate different size trees. It's fascinating but also nerve-wracking to watch, though.
My Christina gardens are taking off! As soon as half the blooms pop open, the sign will be moved to the gardens (there are two of them), and these will give us gorgeous color right up to the first hard freeze of the year. The fronds are incredibly soft to the touch. You don't expect that when you reach out and run your hands gently through them. They smell like autumn, as do all marigolds. I love the smell of them almost as much as I love the smell of a tomato plant. Tomato plants smell like summer and marigold plants smell like autumn. When you grow them at the same time, you get a really nice sensory experience. Very peaceful.
When I took these pictures last night, it was hazy. The picture of the Mexican sunflowers does not do them justice. This patch of flowers is huge. Some are near the 8.5-foot tall mark now. They are full of monarchs and various types of bees. I never tire of the show when I visit this patch. Sometimes, with all the flower patches, it looks like parts of the yard are moving, thanks to the little creatures who are making them most of their opportunities. It's why each year I insist on making sure we do a bit more. It's for them, we just get the bonus of seeing them continue to populate and help us in our daily effort of living. I am grateful to these creatures and will try to always do something for them.
And last, but not least - my heralder of Autumn! I think it might be Japanese Clematis, also known as Autumn Clematis, but I'm not sure. Either way, each year, it begins blooming at this time and carries us into Autumn. Those blooms will cover the vine, and it will look soft and gentle and remind you of late, summer breezes. I do not know how old it is, but I do know that it is a very old vine. The people who lived here before us said that it was already here when they bought the house. They lived here seven years, we have lived here over 20. I'd say that it's well over 30 years old easily. It's lovely and asks for little to no care, but yet it turns out these lovely tiny white flowers all over the vine and gives us a real show at the end of the season. It will stay in full bloom for a bit into Autumn, along with our crepe myrtles and marigolds.
That's it for the hazy-day pictures. Today's weather is 82 with a mix of clouds and sun. I hope it's more clouds than sun today. I love 80s with clouds and a breeze. There's a richness to that type of day, at least for me. Yesterday, my dad made us an apple crisp using apples from our own trees. We had some last night, and it was fantastic. This morning, cheesy eggs and a side of that crisp will be a wonderful breakfast start to the day. I'll sprinkle in some dried cranberries and butterscotch chips before heating the crisp for breakfast. That just puts it over the top once I add a strong cup of coffee to the mix!
I'm in that food transition season already where I crave apples and autumn squashes; I'm ready for it. Some of the baby butternut squash was ripe, so my dad is preparing that for supper tonight. Cannot wait to see how it tastes. We are back in full swing at our University today, with - obviously - Coronavirus rules in place. I'm trying to cover half the world in prayer at the moment, including our students and employees! My mantra at the moment is the resounding "wear your mask, wash your hands, don't touch your face." The students that I've gently reminded to put on their mask have, so far, been very sweet in their response. I'm at that age, I think, where they see me as an older, wiser person, so they sprinkle in a bit of kindness in their response and they tend to mind me, lol. I have been told by more than one student that I am "precious." Isn't that a riot?!! As long as it helps them remember to wear their mask, I'll take "precious" as a compliment!
I must go now. I have a giant, juicy kitten yelling off his head (baby Oliver) for attention, and I simply cannot type and hold this huge baby at the same time. The day is getting ready to pop wide open for me, so I'll enjoy his large plushness for just a few minutes before I get rolling. Love to you on this Monday in August, as we head into the second half of the month and then some. I'll begin my Autumn/Halloween candy hunt this coming weekend. You'll know when I get my first bag of mellowcremes!
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