. . . . . . . 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.
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.
.png)
