PUMPKINS

Pumpkins. There isn't a pumpkin that I don't like- large, small, round, tall, orange, green- I like them all. Speaking of pumpkins, last year was a lean year here in New England for pumpkins. The weather conditions were just to cold and wet, not the ideal hot sunny weather that pumpkins require. Hence, canned pumpkin was especially impossible to find. To date there remains a huge gap on the grocery store shelf where canned pumpkin usually finds it's home. In fact it is still unavailable. For a brief period of time canned organic pumpkin was found, but at $3.99 it was a little steep for my liking. Eventually it too quickly sold out and canned pumpkin vanished completely. This year our prospects appear better, the weather has cooperated and than some. Believe me I am going to stock up! What would Fall be without pumpkin bread, pie, pancakes, bars it's just not Fall without pumpkin. A perfect orange globe...Tasha Tudor would refer to this pumpkin as a "pumpkin moonshine"

I like warts.... warts on pumpkins that is.... the more warts the better.

Sorry about the clarity of this photo, but can you just imagine what a great face this pumpkin would make?

This is a beefy looking pumpkin....speckles with subtle stripes...

Love the color of this pumpkin.... salmon....I want to be daring and paint a wall this color... pair it up with a shade of teal....key word....daring.

however, as daring as I would like to be.... this is how my pumpkins stack up.

A QUIET SUNDAY

A day for a bit of decorating.... dead heading....

dusting....

crows have flown in....

amber glow in the window....

one of thousands and thousands of leaves to drop....

squirrels....

have taken up residence....

pumpkin moonshine....

a peak of color....

it is starting to look like Fall here at Dog Trot Farm....

just as Hooty....

WE REMEMBER

September 11, 2001 a day that will remain in my mind and heart forever.


We all remember where we were and what we were doing on September 11, 2001. We recall that it was a perfect September morning with crystal blue sky and a coolness to the air. I was in my kitchen preparing morning snack for my preschoolers. I along with the rest of the world watched as the unimaginable day of terror began to unfold. It was a day that changed America and her people forever. Later, as the days passed we learned two of the terrorists spent the night of September 10th in a hotel here in Maine. The two also visited Wal-mart, the Wal-mart where I patronize . On the morning of September 11 th, these two men boarded a plane in Portland, Maine and three hours later flew a plane into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. A few years prior, my mother and I had dined at Windows On The World, the restaurant located on the 106 floor of the North Tower. I recall how quickly the elevator transported us up to the top level, the wall of windows which enclosed the restaurant offering such a breath taking view, along with the actual sway of the building. September 11th is a day in history I will never forget nor I'm sure will you. God Bless America and all our brave soldiers who protect our freedom each and every day. A heartfelt thank you.

~NESTING~

Today's weather, dare I say was down right CHILLY. The "nip" in the air however, has sent me into a housekeeping mode where I prefer to remain at home and nest. I organize, re-arrange, get a jump on Fall decorating, stroll through the woods, plus fit in a little ironing and baking. The many chores that now need to be addressed became piled up due to the long stretch of heat and humidity. So, this morning I started my Fall decorating by adding this little primitive owl to a trencher along with dried sunflowers and birds nest that I have gathered over the years. Do not be concerned all nests we found on the ground no homes were taken by eminent domain. Speaking of owls, a Barred owl has decided to take up residence in a pine tree outside our bedroom window. Let me just say it is not so easy to fall asleep when the repetition of "who- who-cooks-for-you" is being sung all night long. I don't believe the girls care for it much either. Nothing says Fall like a crow, this little guy finds a home in a wreath made of wheat. I reached for my Tasha Tudor cookbook, donned my Tasha like apron and located the recipe for Blueberry cake. Not only are the recipes in this book mouth watering, but the book itself is filled with memories and antidotes about Tasha's life and family. Also included in the book are illustrations that Mrs. Tudor is famous for. After baking forty minutes here is the end result. Let me just admit I have no will power when it comes to this cake. Hot and right out of the oven with a big old glass of milk is pure delight.

Blueberry Coffee Cake:

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup shortening

1 farm fresh egg, at room temperature

1/2 cup milk

2 cups unbleached flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen, not thawed

Topping:

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup unbleached flour, sifted

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 stick butter unsalted softened

1/2 pecans chopped (optional) I did not add them.

Preheat oven 375 degrees

grease and flour a 9x9x2 inch pan

In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and shortening

Stir in egg and then milk. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and mix quickly.

Carefully fold in blueberries.

Spread the batter in the prepared pan.

Combine all of the topping ingredients and sprinkle

the mixture over batter.

Bake in a preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes.

Tasha suggests serving warm with butter.

* I did not use unsalted butter, as I had none.

I fetched a warm egg from under Gladys, thank you Gladys
I find no need for butter when consuming, it is perfect just plain

and I bake for forty minutes

I find 45 to 50 minutes is just to long in my oven as the cake becomes dry when cooled.

I hope you try Mrs. Tudor's recipe, you will not be disappointed.
Thank you Tasha, you will always be remember and sadly missed.
(9-28-15)to(6-18-08)

AN AFTERNOON STROLL

Fall is announcing it's presence... the signs are subtle... a distinct vibrancy to the afternoon sky.... Perfect weather for a stroll....

through the orchard, my later father in-law's pride and joy....

where apple trees proudly show off their bounty....

a Fuzzy Bear caterpillar....

Bittersweet....natures offering for decorators everywhere....

into the wood....where squirrels and chipmunks scamper helter- skelter preparing for the long winter months soon to come....

the iridescent "rag weed".... a nemesis of country dwellers everywhere....

a gift left by a feathered friend...

ferns hidden by the shade of the woods...

around the bend...where leaves begin to softly carpet the forest floor... and if you tread oh so lightly.... you might have the good fortune to stumble upon fairies in their magical setting...

" If you see a faery ring

In a field of grass

Very lightly step around,

Last night faeries frolicked there,

And they're sleeping somewhere near.

If you see a tiny fairy,

Lying fast asleep

Shut your eyes

And run away,

Do not peek!

Do not tell

Or you'll break a faery spell".

~William Shakespeare~

TIME TO MAKE THE JAM

Monday's offering of picture perfect weather was the ideal opportunity to head to the berry patch. I enjoy berry picking, I find it soothing as well as satisfying. "The weight of the world just melts from ones shoulder's". It also gives me a feeling of connection to the pioneer women of long ago. The only hitch of the day, one orchard offered raspberries with no blueberries and another offered blueberries with no raspberries. So DH and I hit two local orchards. First stop, blueberries. We picked twelve pounds of berries in such a short period of time the bushes were "loaded" and the company few and far between. The conditions ideal, sun shining and a lovely breeze. The berries juicy, sweet and plump. Yes I admit I got a little carried away, but blueberries are my favorite (shhh...and my girl's). It is so rewarding to be able to whip up a fruit smoothie while a Northeaster is howling outside. The girls certainly enjoy a few berries sprinkled on their warm oatmeal during the winter months. Gotta keep my girl's happy and healthy-blueberries, nature's antioxidants. Next, raspberries. Not as abundant as the blueberries, but certainly worth the effort and oh so juicy and sweet. So, once back home I dusted off the canning kettle and set to work.

By the end of the day I had produced three batches of blueberry jam and one of raspberry. Future Christmas offerings for friends and family. Tomorrow I hope to make a favorite blueberry cake, the recipe found in Tasha Tudor's cookbook "Recipes and Reminiscences from Corgi Cottage." Many of Tasha's recipes call for a "farm fresh egg" and again so rewarding to be able to head out to the coop, grope under one of my girl's and snatch that fresh egg. Thanks girls. Berry picking, it's a good thing! If you have the opportunity head out and pick local!

A DAY AT THE SPA

Good morning Winslow Homer, do you remember what today is? Oh come on now put a smile on your face, it's not going to be that bad. There will be lots of eye candy and remember how lovely you smell after a day at the spa. Okay, "manly". No, I promise you don't need to have your nails done. Good boy.... Come on lets get you in your seat belt. Hum, seems a little tight, yup you can ride in Mama's new car, just don't touch anything, keep your nose of the windows, no changing the radio station and remember NO EATING or DRINKING!

This afternoon I noticed a larger than normal amount of noise and activity going on in the hen yard, (usually the girls only carry on like this when I do something stupid like lock myself in.) What's up girls, I ask?

My younger girl's Fern and Pheobe were curious too. Nope, there is no one new at Dog Trot Farm. Nope, I haven't noticed anything or anyone strange.

Gladys I ask, what is going on with those sisters of yours? I swear I noticed a grin on Gladys' face along with the distinct cackle of hens behind me.

Now girls that is not very ladylike....

A face that can only melt a mother's heart, oh, and he smells like lemon verbena too! Girls, get that smirk off your face!

SEPTEMBER 2, 1978

September 2, 1978 was a beautiful sunny Saturday. At 2:00 pm on that day I became a Mrs. So today, 32 years later I would like to wish the Mr. A Happy Anniversary. I do believe this card says it all.