It seems that it happened, just in the nick of time...
Autumn showed up, just as the pumpkin pies were baking...
A little reminder that even though the days are warm mid 70's, somehow, growing things know that autumn is here...
Peach trees and pecan trees begin to glow in golden tones, on our little patch of earth...
It is so nice to get a hint of the changing of the leaves.
Colorful autumn leaves are a huge gift for those of you in places where trees blaze with color in fall. I am so happy for a small hint of it.
Still, it's a very lovely hint, wouldn't you say?
That peach tree, must remember to hug it ;)
Evenings have been packed with Thanksgiving prep.
Oven roasting all sorts of pumpkins.
Sugar babies, big babies and fairytale pumpkins...
This moment, where the planting of the pumpkin seeds and nurturing of pumpkin vines all summer is a mere memory, is amazing to me.
Pumpkins are such a grand gift.
Pies, cakes, soups, breads - or simply succulent roasted pumpkin right out of the oven, in spoonfuls on your tongue - all wonderful.
I don't rub my pumpkins in oil or anything when I oven roast them. Just pop them face down in a baking pan for 1 hour at 400'F, and the rest is magic...
I have created so many bags of my pureed pumpkins, ready for baking with.
4 pies, made from scratch, have baked tonight.
Old fashioned pumpkin pies and pumpkin cheesecakes (Paula Deen, yumm!).
The fairytale pumpkins are so orange inside, so tasty and sweet, I can't even tell you how delicious they are.
All this cooking and baking brings me such joy. It is my way of acting out my thankfulness, by feeding friends, and immersing myself in the day.
There is so much to be thankful for, so much.
I am sooo thankful for my family. I love them so.
So much taken for granted, and so much to reflect upon and be thankful for, isn't there?
I try to be thankful everyday, but a day set for thankfulness, is grand.
I am using all my little summer garden collections this autumn - such as a whole new body for scarecrow built in September, with dried corn stalks...
And, corn tops/tassels, bound in long corn leaves, were dried in the cottage...
Perfect for remembering all we are thankful for, including the garden, and growing things.
My thankfulness cup runneth over...
Happy Thanksgiving!!
May you have a most lovely wonderful day, no matter what you are doing.
Whether having a quiet reflective day, or a large gathering of family/friends - may you have a safe a wonderful Thanksgiving day!
1 a.m. - back to pie duty for me ;)
See you soon!
Love, Vanessa
ps: I asked Mister Lovee to stay up late with me, so that I wouldn't fall asleep and burn any pies. Well, he fell asleep a couple of hours ago, on the couch. But now, I hear him playing loud music, oldies. Must go see what sort of shenanigans he is getting into ;)