A day of pumpkins

Here lately, I've devoted most of my life to work. Its unfortunate, but sometimes I love that place as much as I love my garden. The difference is the garden brings me peace and work brings on an adrenaline rush comparable to that of being dropped into the middle of a pack of wolves with a raw steak taped to your butt. I love that rush. Its a different kind of accomplishment and not as wholesome as my other hobbies, but its powerful and gives me confidence to face everything in my life. My heart is in that job for life. So, anyhoo, I'm back for the day. Slowing down, focusing on the season and upcoming festivities...HALLOWEEEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love it. Its cold in the morning. Crunchy leave are all over the yard. (I don't rake, sue me, whatever) I let the girls out of the coop this morning and they all ran out, feathers ruffled up like they put on sweaters. Still no eggs, but I love those chickens. I have dreams about going out there and finding multitudes of colored eggs and overwhelmed with feelings of excited bliss. I just want one pale blue/green egg. That's all. Its like a drug that I'm addicted to, but I've never even had it. I've wanted chickens and my own eggs for so long. Now they're here and they need to get down to business.

I'm hoping today is going to go as planned. I am drinking my homemade pumpkin spice latte. I'm going to pack Sophia up here shortly and go pumpkin hunting. This was supposed to take place in my yard, but alas, FAIL! Yeah, I'm still bitter about no pumpkins. I will try again next year and be more aggressive with the feeding and caring for them. Still organic, but more aggressive. I'm going to make pumpkin bread and work on Sophia's garden gnome costume. Hopefully a productive yet fun day for us.

I planted some fall broccoli and a few lettuces which seem to be thriving with the cold mornings and warm sunny afternoons. I actually prefer fall lettuces. The flavor is a lot better. If I can conjure up some hoops, I would like to see how long I can keep the lettuce alive through the winter. I have a feeling its going to be very mild for a good portion of this winter. If I had to guess, I'd say February will be cold, but I'm planning on starting my plugs much earlier this next growing season. Especially the potatoes, lettuces, and broccoli. This year was very informative, though not quite successful. I learned to can and make jams. Had other things not taken place during peak harvesting times throughout the summer, I would be more stocked up on my canned veggies. I'm still happy though.