FALL is upon us already!

HELLO EVERYONE! I am sure I have lost my audience by now, but man has life been hard, joyful,
tough, busy and amazing! Where have the years gone?? My son informed my not too long ago that I am
really slipping when it comes to posting on my blog and he is so right! I've been averaging about once
a year for the past couple years or so. I am going to try and do better , but no promises because you know...
LIFE HAPPENS and you better live it while you can! I know I am trying my best to do that.

The hubby and I were in the RTE 127 sale in August with his sister and husband and that is where I scored
this wheelbarrow. The people in the tent right beside ours GAVE it to me because on part of the frame is
rusted through, but it still works for yard art!!
I LOVE IT! Best bargain of the whole sale along with a chippy , white bench for $1. (from the same
people) There are such kind souls in this world today amidst all the yuck if we just open our eyes
and look.

My amazing Sweet Autumn Clematis! I have two of these. One here on my fence and one on the front porch
on a trellis! I love them and I need to get more!

Our granddaughter Annika. I can't believe she is in 7th grade this year. They moved to California
(insert sobbing here) in February and they flew home last weekend so we had a few hours to spend
with them before they flew right back. We had fun in the park and I snapped a few photos with my
actual camera instead of my phone. She sure is a beauty and growing up fast!

Annika and little Liam! Remember our rainbow grand after we lost Eden to stillbirth? This is him!
Isn't he the cutest??!! Adorable! He will be two years old in November. DOES.NOT.SEEM.POSSIBLE!

I love this photo. My son, his daughter Annika and my hubby. Something must have been very funny. lol

Sweet Ainsley and Liam sliding in the park. The visit was way too short, but I am so
very thankful that we got to see them! Six months is a long time to be apart from those
you love for sure!

This post is so random! Ha! My geraniums from my gardens this year were so pretty.

More flowers.  I can do pretty good growing flowers outside, but not inside AT.ALL. 

We found a field of sunflowers one day close by and I had to snap some photos. They are so pretty and
are the epitome of fall!

Well, here we are at the end already! I just picked random pics to post and you got quite a mixture, but it is our
life in real time. God is good and we are so loved by Him!! Always remember that!!

Until next time which is hopefully sooner than later,

A Fall Farm Visit with Unique Pumpkins and Squash

It's been a very busy weekend for us and one of the things we did was to visit
Carpenter Farms
just outside of Adrian, Michigan. I can't believe we have lived 30-ish miles away from this
place for years and never knew about it. Well, we know now and I am thrilled!

They have amazing prices and a huge assortment of pumpkins and squash. You can shop
until you drop and then some. If you haven't started your fall decorating yet, this post
should surely get you in the mood. 

This is a real pumpkin that was grown by the inmates at the Gus Harrison
Correctional Facility Adrian, Michigan.

Can you say HUGE?

This grain bin is inside their huge pole barn that also houses another smaller grain bin
with a bit of corn in it for children to play in.

Look at all these

BABY BOOS!!!

25 cents each!!!

I was in heaven!

 Can you believe that ALL THE ABOVE pumpkins and gourds were only

25 cents each also?? 

They had very unique pumpkins and squashes and I loved reading each sign.

I am a specialty pumpkin/squash

JARRAHDALE.

I am a native of Australia. The golden-yellow flesh is medium sweet, string-less and is
very good quality for baking. I will make a great addition to your fall decorations.
The skin is quite hard, so use caution when cutting this one open. If stored in a cool, dry
place it will keep for up to three months. I am a cross between a Blue Hubbard and a
Cinderella. 

PORCELAIN DOLL:

I am a specialty Pumpkin/squash

Porcelain Doll is an exotic pink pumpkin. The pink pumpkin is very eye catching for all holiday
decoration. Porcelain Doll exhibits deep ribbing with an almost square appearance and exotic
pink exterior. Porcelain Doll's deep-orange, sweet flesh can be used for pies, soup and
culinary delights.

YUGOSLAVIAN FINGERS

I can be eaten as a summer squash when young, or when I'm mature I make an
interesting conversation piece on your fall display.

 My name is

TURKS TURBAN

I am a winter squash.
An old time favorite for traditional fall decorating. The red color will deepen as the fall
progresses. It can be eaten and is terrific stuffed with meat loaf. Sadly, today it's cooking
qualities are overlooked and it is most often used as a decorative gourd.

My name is

LONG ISLAND CHEESE

I am a specialty pumpkin squash.

This heirloom variety is widely remembered as a great pie squash by the people in
the New York and New Jersey area. It was prominently used throughout the 1800's.
It's coloring and flattened shape suggests a wheel of cheese thus the name.

My name is

FLAT WHITE BOER

I am a pumpkin. Perfect for pies etc.

Large Speckled Apple...a gourd.

Speckled Swan...a gourd.

LUNCH LADY

I am a gourd. It is not edible , but makes a great decoration.

BLUE HUBBARD

I am a winter squash.

This squash is known by its huge size, funky shape, blue-gray color, and very
hard skin that makes it especially long lasting in winter storage.  The meat inside
is orange, sweet, flavorful, and fine grained. Great for baking, pies and soups.

PINK BANANA

A winter squash

I have a sweet, yellow-orange flesh that is excellent for pies, baking, canning
and homemade baby food. I can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.

My name is

GALEUX D'EYSINES ...pronounced Gal-OH deh-ZINE

I am a winter squash.

An elegant French heirloom with an appropriately elegant sounding name.
Magnifique! This stunning squash has beautiful salmon-peach colored skin
covered with peanut shell-like warts caused by sugar in the skin. Traditionally used in
France for soups and sauces, when cooked, the sweet, orange flesh is as smooth as velvet.
Each flattened squash weighs 10-15 lbs. and can store for up to 6 months. Definitely a show
stopper in the garden or on the table.

SQUASH NECK PUMPKIN

relative to the butternut squash

Did you learn anything? I sure did! I never know for sure what were pumpkins and what were
squash and I didn't know so many of them could be eaten.

Have you started decorating yet? I have. I think I am almost done. Maybe I can get some
pics posted soon.

HAPPY FALL to everyone!!

Autumn has arrived!

A.U.T.U.M.N.

I am thinking this may be bittersweet OVERKILL...

so I may remove what is on the mirror and put it somewhere else.

I had it there a few days before I added the basket full and now it is like...

 WOW! ha!

Just a little decor on my front porch and back deck.

I love color outside my home in the fall, but still pretty much stick to neutrals inside.

A favorite arrangement on my back porch. I leave you with this thought:

Life fails to be perfect, but never fails to be beautiful!!

HAPPY AUTUMN to all my blogging friends!!

Hug a loved one today!!

Blessings~