Wednesday, September 16, 2015

The country drive. . . . . . . . . . . .


. . . . . . . on Sunday afternoon was perfect.
Our first day of cooler temperatures after such a long hot Summer.
Autumn definitely now in the air. In fact this morning it was so cool 
I decided the heavier duvet needed to be dug out from storage.
Of course with the sun out it's now warming, and by noon it will be hot, 
but the thought of cooler nights from now on is wonderful. 

Anyway, on Sunday a brilliant 'Carolina Blue' sky beckoned and we headed 
south through the city in search of these. . . . . . . . . 


Perhaps a wee bit early to be thinking pumpkin decor however I just don't want 
them all gone by the time I return from Europe in October. 


The above pic shows some of the pumpkins I bought on Sunday.
The green-gold pumpkin on the left has already been enjoyed - oh my, roasted 
with fresh sage and olive oil, it was SO tasty. I will be making a delicious
pumpkin soup today with the leftovers. . . . . and will roast the seeds.


Driving through the ever burgeoning downtown area - Raleigh just continues expanding, 
upward and outward. . . . . . but if you keep going it's just 30 miles south to the country.


I love looking at the homes along the country roads, wondering who is enjoying
 life away from the hustle and bustle of the city. . . . . .hanging out in a red painted barn, 
mowing all that grass!


Our destination of course. . . . . . the Johnson's farm where we come each year 
for pumpkins. This is just a corner of their front yard. Freda, who plants each
 seed by hand, is already bringing in the beauties from her huge pumpkin patch
 in the surrounding fields.
 Sadly we missed seeing farmer Doug this visit - he was out searching for a lost cow.
  We plan to go back in late October to visit the Johnson family again, always enjoy the
 lovely chats and catching up on country news.

Here are links to our visits in the past years where you can see the incredible 
selection of pumpkins, gourds and veggies offered at the Johnson's farm between
 the small towns of Angier and Coats in Harnett County, North Carolina.

Johnson Farm Pumpkins in 2013
Johnson Farm Pumpkins in 2014


As always, homemade country ice cream is a treat and this is one of the best.
We stopped, along with the motor cyclists, pick up trucks, big families
 with cute kids, texting teenagers, and a good excuse for 
two scoops as we'd not eaten since breakfast. . . . . .  
 black cherry and butter pecan for Bob, tiramisu and coffee for me - it was really good.



Later I'll share more of the pumpkins and gourds I bought for decorating - they are
 in the cool of the cottage where hopefully they'll stay fresh until I return home from
 France and can decorate for Fall/Halloween.

Happy pumpkin hunting - I hope you get out into the country soon - nothing
 more pleasant and exhilarating on a sunny almost Autumn day.


10 comments:

  1. What a lovely post, Mary. Makes me want to hop in the car, roll down the windows and head to the pumpkin patch. I absolutely love country drives on beautiful days.
    Your haul looks so nice and I'm anxious to see how you decorate with them. I will be patient until you return from your next adventure. The roasted pumpkin sounds delicious too.
    My son has been to Sunni Sky's a few times and raves about the huge selection.

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  2. I love Pumpkins but the pictures of them here are fanastic, I wish I was in the USA for halloween! Here in the uk, we have a local farm who celebrates halloween, and we go there for them, love Autumn, Can't wait to see more pictures soonxx

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  3. I love going to pumpkin patches in the fall. I am looking forward to doing that soon. What a wonderful you get to go to!

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  4. I've seen all the pumpkins and gourds laid out for sale on my trips to the USA but sadly there's nothing on that scale here, at least not in my part of England. I wish that there was.

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  5. Your photos of the pumpkins are so pretty! I haven't purchased any yet...just now getting some fall decor out of the basement and will play around with that today. Will buy pumpkins and mums for the front porch at a later date. It's sunny and 84 here today, so hard to think about fall!

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  6. Those are beautiful photos and pumpkins Mary. I'm looking forward to getting some to decorate with inside and out. I love ice cream and home made sounds wonderful. Blessings and hugs, Pam

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  7. I always look forward to your Autumn Pumpkin posts dear Mary!
    What an amazing array of pumpkins to choose from - I knew you would have chosen some of the white ones!
    Living in the city as I do, I imagine you love a trip to the country - me too!
    Taking us back to our roots of living in a small town is always a memorable journey!
    Looking forward to seeing what you do with your pumpkins this year - I know how creative you are and what a good eye you have for design!

    Much love
    Shane x

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  8. Hello my dearest! How have you been? I miss you! I haven't been back in the area in a while now, but always thinking of you. I hope to come see you soon! I think of you even more now that the weather is so lovely and I remember our stops at Starbucks for coffee and chat then some antiquing at SuazAnna's.... Hope all is well! Love ~ Vanessa

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  9. Your pumpkin hunting expedition was a grand success! What a beautiful bright sunny day to go for a country drive. Tonight I'm flying out over the mountains to the prairies and then I'll be going on some country drives for a wedding and a big birthday party. The country life is a good one.
    Enjoy your day!

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  10. I just love your visits to this farm. Their pumpkins are so beautiful. Your photos are too! I loved the mail boxes all lined up.

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