Those big brown eyes

When I rolled out of bed at 7 AM, my whole body ached. The restless night of on and off sleep I had not served me well. I was hitting the peak of the cold bug my husband had caught a few days earlier. Wrapped in my robe I went to let our two dogs outside. My plan was to go back to bed for a few more hours and then get up, get dressed and feed my horse and donkey.

As I opened the mudroom door to let the dogs out my horse reached his head over the gate. He looked straight at me with his big brown eyes and let out a soft nicker. That was it. He stared into my sole. He knew I was awake. Not wanting to disappoint him, I put on some sweats and went out to feed him and the donkey their morning hay and grain. As I stoked his neck briefly I forgot about my aches and pains.

The a deep gaze from a loving animal is a powerful force.

Pie Pumpkin it is time to fulfill your destiny

You have made a great fall decoration. But now it is Thanksgiving. You are not called a pie pumpkin for nothing. So today I will transform you into part of our feast and I will save your seeds so that your offspring my flourish next year in my garden and continuethe pie pumpkin legacy. Thank you Jane for cultivating this amazing pumpkin!

Forget the Grocery Store

Last night I was inspired to make Mexican food and I was reminded of how lucky I am to live in the country and have great friends. I called my friends who run Zepp farm. My dogs & I jumped in the car and a drove a few miles down the road.

In the dark and drizzle we visited and walked around their farm with a flashlight to retrieve some fresh cilantro, peppers and lettuce. Then we just kept going... collecting fresh dill, rosemary, parsley, cabbage, and brussel sprouts (which have never been my favorite, but agreed to give another try). I felt really spoiled when we went into the greenhouse and they helped me search for fresh little yellow tomatoes.

We hung out in their garage and talked about our gardens, seeds for next year, our horses and our friends. They would not let me pay them for the produce. Later on I offered to share some of the acorn & hubbard squash I had harvested from my garden, an idea that they meet with enthusiasm.

I enjoyed great company and conversation. Within an hour I was home enjoying awesome tacos, which included the freshly cut cilantro, lettuce and peppers. Truly a level of freshness in food and friendship I have never found at a grocery store.