Ornamentation by Nature. . . . . . . . . . .

I recall when most ornamental squash were very small, knobbly and gnarly. 

I'd pick up a couple of plastic net bagfuls at the grocery store, that many were needed to fill my French dough bowl for a worthwhile Autumn display of color on the dining room table. Just three or four of these larger squash will fill a bowl or basket and make quite a statement, and I'm loving the taller ones this year which I'm tucking into the IKEA glass vases on the mantel. The smaller ones are still out there I'm sure, and they are pretty, as are all Nature's offerings, however my lovely farm friend Freda grows these larger ornamental squash, along with her magnificent pumpkins. These squash are edible also.

Sometimes we classify all these as 'gourds' but those are really the big plain green ones, such as bottle gourds, often crafted into bird houses, and not considered edible due to their bitterness.  Speaking of eating - Freda also has really nice spaghetti squash this year and I'll prepare one for supper this weekend. I'll also be making a pumpkin soup and, with this gorgeous weather, we'll be dining in the gazebo.

Aren't the colors beautiful?

These lovelies, fresh picked, should last for a while at cooler room temperatures
 (they should not be stored in the refrigerator if you plan to cook them). . . . . . perhaps
until it's time to think about Christmas decor!