The First Snowfall of the Season
Friday evening, right before we went to bed, we noticed it was snowing. Usually our first snow fall doesn’t amount to anything, it melts off as soon as it falls. When we got up Saturday morning we were amazed that we had about a half inch of snow on the ground.
The first snow is always exciting. If it’s going to be cold outside I want to have snow on the ground. Snow really brightens things up during the long dark winter months in NE Ohio. The snow is also good for the garden as it provides a nice insulating layer for the plants and the soil.
Do you live in a climate where you get snow? Do you like snow or do you wish it didn’t fall?
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Quote of the Day: John Steinbeck
The wind swept down the rows, next morning, swaying the branches of the trees, and the windfalls dropped to the ground with soft thuds. Frost was in the wind, and between gusts the curious stillness of autumn.
John Steinbeck In Dubious Battle
I love working in the garden this time of year. There’s just something in the air, I can’t really explain it. It’s not the hurried feeling spring when there’s so much to get done in the garden. Autumn chores have a more relaxed feel since most of them aren’t time sensitive. This time of the year I simply enjoy being outdoors. I greatly appreciate this time before the cold winter drives me indoors.
What do you enjoy most about autumn? Do you have fall where you live?
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Still Hanging On
After the cold weather and the frosts we’ve been having lately (it was snowing last night when we went to bed), there’s not much left in the garden. I’m pleasantly suprised by the nicotiana that self-seeded in my front flowerbed. It’s still going strong despite the cold.
I thought it was a tender plant, but I guess it’s not as tender as I thought. The pollinators are truly happy that it’s still blooming as well since not much else is.
My mom had some red lettuce this summer that survived some really hot weather without bolting. I always enjoy it when a plant thrives when you don’t think it will or when it withstands things you don’t think it will.
Do you have anything that has surprised you this year in your climate despite heat or cold?
Here’s what I woke up to on Saturday morning:
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Friday Favorite: the Feline Edition
It’s not secret that we’re cat lovers here at Chiot’s Run (at least I am, perhaps I shouldn’t lump Mr Chiots into the “crazy cat lady” group with me). If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you’ll know that we have indoor cats and outdoor cats and have a soft spot in our hearts for these furry friends.
We have Soafie (gray) and Samson (orange), which are brother and sister that we rescued 6-7 years ago from a feral cat rescue in Cincinnati, OH. They’re indoor cats that have never lived outdoors. Soafie is the princess and rules over all the other pets in the house. Samson is the quintessential orange cat, a lover that can never have too much attention.
Dexter showed up on our doorstep two years ago in November. After unsuccessfully trying to find his owners, we had him fixed and welcomed him into the family. He quickly found a place in our hearts, he’s a chatty fat cat with a personality as big as he is.
The newest additions to our growing list of furry friends are the garage cats of course. If you remember, we had a feral cat coming around last winter. We started feeding her because she was looking a little scrawny and a little rough around the edges.
This summer she moved her kittens into our garage and was coined “Miss Mama”. After a series of unfortunate events, only one survived. She was coined “Little Softie” and has been a great addition to the gardens. It sure is fun watching her scamper around chasing leaves and acorns. Here she’s eating the bone meal I made for my garlic.
Cats definitely bring much joy into our lives. Lucy does as well of course, after all she’s the namesake of the garden, but I’m more of a cat person than a dog person. Besides, Lucy can have her own Friday Favorite some day.
Some day we hope to have a larger piece of land so we can add some chickens, sheep, perhaps a donkey and maybe even my dream pet, a Scottish Highland cow. Until then we’ll practice with all the cats.
What’s your favorite pet? Do you have a dream pet?
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Free Protein?
I’m not much of one to care about seeing caterpillars on my plate after eating broccoli, I figure it’s free protein. I’d rather see this on my plate than not see it and have broccoli full of chemicals. Of course you can use “organic” methods of keeping them away, but I don’t bother with those either or my wrens might go hungry.
Have you ever finished eating your broccoli and seen this on your plate? What did you think?
