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.

A man of words………

The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises 

to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.

. . . . . Robert Frost

The Road Not Taken

BY ROBERT FROST

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

It's been many years since I stopped to view Robert Frost's lovely small farm in New Hampshire.

Pristine in the late afternoon sunshine, the farm buildings sit right on the side of the two lane road. 

There are no fences, just rows of native granite, solid and natural, making the property simple and inviting. 

I suggest you stop by if taking the back road as we did on Saturday. . . .the "one less traveled". 

It might just make all the difference for you also.

******

The 'road' home yesterday was definitely not an easy one.

Mechanical problems caused the plane coming to get us to 

return to Philadelphia. Next one came much later and then 

we were stacked up above 'the city of brotherly love', 

buffeted by wind and rain for a long time prior to 

landing - I always dislike that part. 

Then an even later flight out of Philly, where the bad 

weather caused another take-off delay as there were 30 planes 

in line ahead of us trying to get off the ground. I 

could have flown to Europe in that time!

Once up, a smooth run to North Carolina and, right 

at the stroke of midnight, a great feeling turning the

key in the cottage door - safely home again.

Hope you enjoy your Labor Day celebrations - mine will 

definitely be quiet and spent here at home.