This month feels like a wonderful secret...
The weather, the sights, the sounds.
The key limes become yellow when ripe and are easy to pick.
Many of them fall on the garden floor overnight as the quail jump into my citrus trees to sleep.
The summer garden is still gifting, even though it is in the 30's and 40'sF at night, the days have been 60's and 70's, now dropping a little more, but just perfect.
The real beauty is the joy of gardening on these delicious weather days.
I've been working a lot in my studio, but the garden is my sanctuary and peace.
The light on these secret November days is truly a dream.
And so, I set off into the cool morning air with a bag and a basket, to see what I can collect.
The endless limes are just amazing, the scent, the flavor.
Key limes (also known as Mexican limes) taste like no other.
Every day we collect a basket full.
Teddy is obsessed with picking limes.
He thinks it is a grand game, and often he walks around with a lime in his mouth.
The lemons will come soon.
I have been boxing limes and delivering them to a couple friends who I know will use them.
I have tried to give them away by placing a basket on the road with white paper bags, but people never take them.
The main way I store them is by juicing them and pouring the juice into ice cube trays with lids.
Then you can just take some out easily whenever you need some.
I also dehydrate sliced limes, but most importantly, I candy a lot of my citrus, which recipients go bonkers over.
I will make a key lime pie as well (or two, or three), maybe even today.
I end up making all sorts of lime treats.
Not to forget the Mexican limonada, beyond scrumptious.
There are still several pumpkins out there, and the tomatoes have hit that sort of candied tomato ripeness that only happens at a certain time.
When the sunlight is perfect.
I made a curry dish with some of my collections here.
I love inventing what I shall make with gifts of the garden.
It's so much fun.
I am relishing these moments until a real hard freeze wipes everything out.
I love this photo below, where you see the boys' legs together.
So sweet.
I was on my knees colleting limes and turned to see them there.
Lucky shot for sure.
I wish I could teleport you into some of these moments in my garden.
I try to capture the feeling, coming upon a wild bouquet in a sort of fairy tale light.
The lemons making the branches so heavy, they curve over in their own sort of arbor.
Soon, they shall be ripe as well, and I will make endless batches of candied lemon peel.
I put them in jars and gift them for Christmas.
Teddy is running around while my devoted bodyguard watches my every move.
13 years with my Matty (Matisse).
So devoted and loyal, it brings me to tears.
He moves around the garden so he can see me from afar, in the way he finds most comfortable.
Not too close, not too far.
Watching and listening.
My garden has grown so wild and dense, the trees are finally creating shade, which I will enjoy so much during hot summer months.
My big volunteer on the right, has me picnicking under it lately.
One of nature's gifts, dappled light through tree leaves.
It creates its own bokeh as seen below.
Poor tattered zinnias.
Still beautiful, like an old piece of perfectly distressed furniture.
Our corridors of wildflowers, still standing on this beautiful 1111.
November 11th.
Tomorrow is Teddy's birthday.
He will be one year old.
How I adore my companions.
Teddy is a fruit and vegetable eater.
He will tackle me for a piece of apple.
I teach him all the things he should not eat though, and he seems to understand pretty well.
Like onions and avocados, to name a couple.
Speaking of onions, I always replant my onion bottoms, even from store bought onions.
That way I always have little onions and scallions at the ready.
I keep them going year-round.
I bring in my little haul, placing it on that table I sort of re-made.
The top had been pressed board and rotted because I kept it outside.
So, I ordered a piece of wood and sanded it and attached it to the base.
I gave it 3 coats of matte varnish, but left it natural.
I am really enjoying this second life it is having.
It's in the breakfast nook, by the big doors I like to leave open, going out into the garden.
A lovely afternoon to invent a meal from garden goods.
On a day in this beautiful November.
What a wonderful treat this month is.
It has a certain calmness that I appreciate and cherish so much.
I take the dogs for brisk walks, watch the moon in a coat and scarf.
I wait for that midday sun to warm me, not too hot, not too chilly.
Just perfect.
Have you ever met anyone named November?
I love names like Autumn.
In my family there were a couple Hortensia as well, which means hydrangea in English.
The H is silent.
(Or-ten-see-ya)
But I love names like Marigold and such.
What are some of your favorite natural names?
Perhaps we could discover some unused ones as well?
Of course, Poppy is absolutely darling.
Alas, I digress as per usual.
I have a pumpkin to roast right now.
Which is a very cute nickname as well.
I made scones and turtle brownies last night, and hot toddies.
Oops, I hear Teddy returning from his walk with Irishman, so I must be off before he tackles me.
(Yesterday Teddy and ML were playing so rough, they took a tumble down the driveway, everyone is fine, but they are all a bunch of wild guys, I tell ya)
And, he'll want breakfast too.
Ttfn sweet friends!
See you soon.
Love,
Vanessa
ps:
This is what I am listening to today.
