Country drive for pumpkins!

This week has flown by.  We have been so busy. 
Here it is almost the weekend again which doesn't seem possible!

Last weekend we drove through the North Carolina countryside to get our pumpkins.

It was so hot, and still is, high of 90F today, with no color changes visible in the trees yet. 

Fields of corn, tobacco, sunflowers etc. had been plowed under and some 

winter crops were greening up. The clouds were beautiful, hanging in the

 stillness of the sunny sky. All seemed perfect for an early Autumn day, other
 than just being far too hot!
We stopped, as always, at Sunni Sky's for homemade ice cream - rum raisin for Bob, 
raspberry for me - yummy!

We still wear our summer clothes - whilst I crave sweater, coat, and scarf days!
Still just linen sheets at night, but longing to change to the cozy duvet, turn off
 the a/c and open the windows.

 Our lovely friends at the Johnson Pumpkin Farm welcomed us - and we 'sat a spell

on the porch swing' sharing stories of the past twelve months since we came down

last Fall for pumpkins and squash grown by Ms. Freda and Mr. Doug.
The bad summer weather here with too much heat and far too much rain, has
 impacted the pumpkin crop - fewer for sure than the other years when we've visited.

Sweet Lucky the farm cat has become more friendly than ever - he was up

 in my lap as soon as I grabbed a spot on the porch swing and purred non-stop. 

He is now about ten, and has become a bit of a worry for the Johnsons,

 insisting on crossing the very busy road to meet up with their

 cows in the pasture across from the farmhouse. Here's hoping Lucky

is not using up his nine lives!

More another day as to where I'm displaying my pumpkins.

Plus, I've already roasted one to use in this this pumpkin and wild mushroom tart

 for supper last night. It was really good with a small green salad tossed with chipotle

ranch dressing and toasted pistachios.

My garden green peppers - a rather small crop - tomatoes 

from my neighbor's patch.

We both got our 'flu shots yesterday - important as it may be a bad 'flu season ahead.

Here's to an enjoyable weekend everyone.

If cats could talk. . . . . . . . .

Time spent with cats is never wasted ~ Sigmund Freud

I'm cat-sitting again. 

My neighbor is paying me in cucumbers, peppers, and hopefully

 by the weekend, several ripe juicy tomatoes!

Heaven on earth - fresh veggies within reach of the kitchen.

The veggies are growing in the front garden in view of all and sundry.

I'm hoping the neighbors don't think I'm raiding his plot.

This is Ms. Nala, a shy, quiet, beautiful calico cat. Yes, she's 

a big girl, and very independent as most cats are.

It takes several days for her to get used to me even though

 I've visited often. I think she has to first get over her 'dad' leaving

 her and going on vacation before she will allow me to lift her on to my

 lap for a little cuddle. . . . . . . . and sharing some sweet purrs.

Nala apparently likes spending time on this corner of the bed where, 

when she looks out the window, she can watch me stealing harvesting

 her 'dad's' vegetables.

I can feel her beautiful eyes watching me.


Interesting Calico cat facts HERE

Introducing Gretchen. . . . . . . . .

I haven't featured cats in a post for a while. 

Yesterday, while visiting family out of town, I just had to get a few photos of

 seven year old Gretchen who seemed smitten with Bob. She snuggled next to him on

 granddaughter Cassie's sofa and proceeded to lean in and do her full-on grooming

 'toilette' for quite a while.

Beautiful kitty!

Photo via my iPhone

I'll be traveling over the weekend - so will see you next here week.

They've forecast possible snowy conditions, fingers crossed 

they will be totally incorrect!