Heirloom Pumpkins and Gourds, Oh My!

I had a million things to do today and was out the door at 9:30. Everything fell into place nicely because I had planned my route perfectly. My last stop was the ShopRite for just a few things; celery and vegan mayonnaise. In case you haven't tried it, Hellmann's is absolutely delicious. 

I was skeptical at first but decided to try it and this is my third jar. I love it and really can't tell the difference from the original. I'm trying to watch my cholesterol! I can't remember but I might have purchased the smallest jar for my first purchase. I love mayonnaise and always have so I was surprised I liked this so much. I have tried others -- one made with Avocado oil (didn't like) and the contents separated.

Ok, getting back to the first 5 photos -- I parked very far from the front door of the grocery store so I could walk past the outdoor plant section. They had some beautiful heirloom pumpkins and gourds reduced from $6.99 each to $.99 each so I bought 8 of the best ones and I love them. I will save the seeds for next year when they begin to get soft. The birds will enjoy them too on the stump with the weathervane. I might even try cooking the two smooth ones. Anyway they are something I'll enjoy each time I go out the front door and you get some fresh new fall photos and no leaves.

One last photo taken inside my vestibule looking outside. Now you can see this wonderful sage green grayish heirloom pumpkin on the chair. 

xo

First Grocery Store Run in Months

I ventured into the real world today at 10:00 this morning and went to the grocery store. The timing was perfect as was the experience. I found everything I needed and the store wasn't crowded. I have been shopping with curbside pickups at local small markets but they don't have coffee, avocado oil, and things like that. My local Shoprite had it all including Gold Medal Flour. My wire holder is full of fresh fruit and my pantry is well stocked once again.

I mentioned Tubi.TV, a FREE streaming service, in the comments recently and I am loving it. The movies are great, the commercials are short and the TV shows are amazing. I am watching Midsomer Murders in the TV section and they offer all 19 seasons. I suggest jumping in with season 14 with the new DCI (Detective Chief Inspector) Barnaby. He is a cousin of the old Barnaby who retired. He and his dog Sykes are alone in the first few episodes like two bachelors before his wife joins him. In short time she gets rid of all the boxes and decorates their charming cottage in Oxfordshire. She has great taste; I could move right in and not change a thing! The village is full of quirky characters and each episode has a crime that is solved. Set in the Cotswolds, the fictional town called Causton is actually filmed in the market town of Wallingford in Oxfordshire.

Let me know how you like Tubi. Download the app for your phone or iPad from the Apple App Store or Google Play for android devices. Watch on a computer too with my link. Enjoy. xo

Guinea Hen Sighting This Week

I was creeping along in my car in order to take this photo, waiting for this small flock of Guinea Hens to get out of the way and it took quite a while. Luckily I was the only car on this country road. I actually took a video and paused it to get this photo. Why was I out and about? I was coming home from a local farm market that has curbside pickup and puts your order in the trunk of your car with no human contact. It is a family owned business that was founded in 1922. I figured all the big box stores and large supermarkets will be okay but the little local guys might not. It was also good to go out and drive my car. At one point, I was a little concerned that I would not be able to stay within the 10,000 miles per year maximum mileage allowed on my three-year auto rental. This year, it will not be a problem!

See more info @ eBirds.com on Guinea Hens or Guinea Fowl. I love these polka dot birds and was very excited about my encounter with them this week. Stay safe, my friends and enjoy your Sunday. xo

Red Geranium Thru A Window

I took this geranium photo this afternoon after I worked in my front yard for hours tidying up the weeds and dead grass and leaves along my brick wall. The violets have just started and I wanted to give them room to spread. It was a good way to work off the sourdough pancakes I made this morning. I have gone back to the early 1970s with my cooking from scratch. I prepared my first batch of sourdough starter on Monday and prepared my overnight sponge for the pancakes last night They were delicious and I can heat up the extras in my toaster. 

This as the sky at 7am on Monday morning. My mother always called it a buttermilk sky. I posted it on Instagram and a couple of people said Cogey Carmichael had a song by that name that was popular in the late 1930s and 1940s. We always had buttermilk in my house when I was growing up and I always thought this sky got its name from the way buttermilk dries on the inside of the glass when you don't rinse it out right away.

I took this photo on Monday with the geranium inside my living room and me outside on the balcony with a reflection of the buttermilk sky in the background.

I hope you are all doing well with staying inside during this time of quarantine. So far, I know only one person who had Covid-19 and she has recovered, but it did linger for quite a long time. I am thankful we are going into warmer weather rather than winter. We are all learning new things. One neighbor who has mastered grocery delivery says she will never go grocery shopping again in person after this is over; she loves online ordering and having them delivered to her door. Another neighbor (across the street from me) has been doing it for 10 years and she's teaching all of us her techniques. Neighbors helping neighbors is a good thing. xo