Diary 11/10/12

We had a skiff of snow this morning.  I mean a skiff.  Across the draw and up the hill I could see that it stuck to the trees, but still no major event. The temperature was only 33.8, so maybe not going to freeze in the greenhouses as I suspected.  With all the covering I have done, produce may continue past this weekend. Every time I harvest, I think it is the last.  So it becomes more precious as time goes by.  If I can keep the deer out, there is plenty of vegetables to eat over the winter.  I totally forgot that I had planted this bed of spinach as it was covered.  Happy surprise!

Diary 11/8/12

For the last two days, we have had so many bird visitors in our yard.  I think there are both northbound and southbound birds out there.  They take baths and get several serious drinks at out little pond and then they are gone as a new few come through.  I see robins, both brown and red adults and some taupe juveniles.  There are varied thrushes with their v-neck sweater looking breasts.  I saw a couple flickers, so much larger than the others, a definite woodpecker flight when they takes off.  Added to this is a basic scrub jay or three that have been here for weeks harvesting acorns. The picture does not do justice to what was going on out there, but every time I hid with my camera, they must have been on to me because they did not return. That is two robins sitting on the rocks at the rear of the picture.

Diary 11/6/12

Did you vote?  I did, it was late, but not too late where I had to drive our ballots down to the drop off box.  I have been that much of a procrastinator before!  I think it is important and even though it makes only small changes, it still is a way one can affect change.  Others say it's useless, futile.  I say to them, be careful.  I think there are the wrong people counting on you feeling that way.

Diary 11/5/12

I know I said it before, but I just wanted to reiterate that I LOVE FALL!

11/4/12

I am a sucker for a yellow tree.  I think I take a picture of this one almost every year.  I like the way the maple stands with the row of firs on the edge of the field.  I included the encroaching pine tree this year. In the past the field was larger, but little by little the young trees are moving in to fill it.  It a succession the native Americans dealt with by setting fire to this field each year to keep it open.  That is something we have not done, and so we lose a little open ground each year.

Diary 11/3/12

Harvested 25 pounds of tomatoes, a few split, a few still needing to ripen. I made a batch of Chili Verde.  Picked the meatiest long green chilies, and roasted them in a 300 oven for about 30 minutes, then covered with a wet towel. Peeled the meat away from the skin after removing seeds and added some of them to the tomatoes and onions.  Put the rest in the freezer. Picked a half gallon of figs to make some fig bars. I feel so cozy using up what is left in the garden. A couple very nice days ahead.  Lots to accomplish.

Diary 11/2/12

It's gonna take awhile...