Dal Giardino… From The Garden…

Well,  Fall has finally arrived,  rain,  a thunderstorm and some cooler temperatures… I thought it would never happen… It is lovely.  Growing things this past summer,  and now fall,  has been different,  more difficult because of the strange weather,  I think .  My Roses didn't seem to do as well as in the past.  I believe that these are the last of the Roses for now.  I am happy to have harvested three (only) pumpkins from the garden… one jack o lantern,  and two Cinderella's… better than last year.  I've planted some broccoli,  cauliflower,  and cabbages.  I still have some tomatoes and lots of Herbs and Arugula around the Fountain,  and I am making room in one of the raised beds for some more cool weather vegetables.

Buon Compleanno Priscilla…Happy Birthday Priscilla…

It's hard to believe that another year has passed,  and our little girl has turned 25!  We celebrated with family and lots of Priscilla's  friends.  Some of the Halloween Decor transitioned easily  into the "Pirate Theme" party decor.  As usual,  lots of food and good cheer,  and in keeping with tradition,  I made a Baked Alaska for her Birthday Cake,  and forgot to take a good picture of it,  or anything else for that matter,   but, we had a great time…

Happy Halloween…

There will be Trick or Treaters,  greeted by smiling Jack O Lantern faces,  and a festive Halloween Dinner with friends.  Food… none resembling brains or other creepy things,  Wine,  and a Salted Dark Chocolate Caramel Tart,  crawling with some not so creepy Sugar Spiders… And a festive cocktail of course!

Serate Autunnali…Autumn Evenings…

Still so warm here… well into the evening,  making for perfect alfresco dining.  Autumn touches on the table made by me…because nature isn't really showing much Autumn in the garden around here… Pumpkins,  my absolute favorite… I remember the excitement of rushing home from school on Halloween as a young girl,  so excited to carve the pumpkins before going out Trick or Treating.  I think that I have finally out grown my extreme love for Halloween,  although I still enjoy it,  my excitement now is more about fall,  and decorating pumpkins in ways other than the typical jack o lantern style…of course  there will always be at least one or two jack o lanterns on the porch on Halloween Night  to welcome the trick or treaters…

Seattle…

It was so great to see good friends again.  Marilyn and John could not have been more hospitable.  Going to their cabin in Entiat was fantastic.  It was such a treat to spend some time at their beautiful cabin right on the Colombia River.  Waking up from a cozy sleep and seeing the mountains reflecting on the river was nothing short of incredible.  Spending our days wine tasting at several of the gorgeous nearby wineries,  then returning to the cabin…cooking ,  more wine tasting,  good food,  and great company, including M and J's good friend Allyson,   couldn't have been better.  I got to watch Marilyn and John transfer her wine to the barrel… another treat… can't wait to taste that. The Apple Orchards were stunning and heavy with fruit… soooo beautiful.  Driving back to the house from the cabin we got to take in all of the gorgeous colors of Fall… a quick stop in charming  Leavenworth for lunch,  then on with the scenic drive.  A visit to Molbaks Garden and Home  is always a must, but so difficult to leave without buying any plants.  Brought Marilyn some new Fire starters that I had made… We shared  cooking and crafting ideas… inspired by all of the pretty Pumpkins,  I showed Marilyn how to make a succulent topped pumpkin and made a green one when I got home.  Spending the day with Angie was so great,  reminiscing,  and wishing that Priscilla was there with us,  while Marilyn and I prepared dinner and made Apple Pies.  Gina and Tony joined us for dinner… it was a great evening. The weather was nice and cool,  sunny and cloudy,  with a nice rain shower at the cabin one night …just perfect.