Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Harvest musings...

Wow, all of a sudden I just have all kinds of things to post on here! You know how it is. Anyway, a couple of days ago we had some fierce rain which is great for all the plants and to decrease the pollen. The down side to rainy weather, and something which I brace myself for each year, MUD and more mud! Scrappy likes to get me ready for the muddy days to come by giving me a little taste of how they will all be trotting in soon. She usually runs in full out and I try to intercept her before she makes many tracks around the house. Notice the dirty nose too! The other day she killed a mouse and brought it to me. I really appreciate the effort but hate picking up those little buggers.

Anyway, Scrappy came in full of herself and wanted to play. It looks like Violet was telling her that she's got dirty feet and doesn't want to play but that's only half true, as soon as this picture was snapped Violet pounced and the games were on.

Charlie is so handsome. It's hard to get a picture of him because as soon as I get anywhere near his level he's in motion my way--he's such a momma's boy!

Daisy and Speedbump usually come in and lay right down. I like that because their mud tracks are shorter!


I've been working on the last of the canning this week. I made a batch of elderberry jelly and have one more batch to make (these are Christmas gifts.) We had a less than average harvest this year in our garden because I let "end rot" get the first of our tomato crop. But I know to nip that in the bud next year because I've got two new favorite tomatoes, the Cherokee Purple and Big Mama Roma. The Cherokee Purple was a good slicing tomato and Big Mama was great for processing into marinara because it has so few seeds. How did your garden grow this year and what were your favorites? Here's some oregano I dried.

This is what time JP gets home! He's been so busy at work lately, he comes home when the harvest moon is up. Well, I'm off to get my carpet scraps out to strategically place around the back door for muddy paws!

Harvest blessings to you all from the holler.

8 comments:

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Ha - we know all about those muddy paws here. Ciara really knows how to keep the Momster busy as she seems to find every bit of mud in the yard.

Your pups are all so handsome and beautiful. Thanks for sharing some lovely photos.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

sprinkles said...

We had a lot of rain earlier this week so I got lots of muddy paw prints everywhere too. I'd mopped the day before and by the end of the day, it looked like it needed another good mopping. All that rain didn't do much for my allergies though.

Great pictures of your dogs.

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

I can't complain about muddy paws, you've got way too many over there to take care of and I only have 8 paws. June is normally pretty good. Samantha can be out at the same time with June but she will get muddy in her underbelly and her paws while June stays clean. How is that possible?
I do love those Cherokee Purple although I didn't get much from the plant.

Deborah said...

HI,
No rain for us and I'm glad! LOL
I once had a cat, Maurice, that would bring dead mice to me. He would leave them right on the door step. :)
Have a nice weekend!
xxoo
Deborah

Sierra Rose said...

Hi there!!! Nice to see you alls! I am with ya on the mud plan....I can sniff it out all the way across a field, to find the only little patch worth laying in and enjoying! :)
Our test garden did ok, but mom is wishing she had more of a green thumb!! Elderberry jam sounds delicious!

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

Cindy said...

Mud is awful with dogs, I agree. I never minded the snow and freezing days as our dog was clean as a whistle when he came inside. I just had to check between his paws for snow and ice. All the critters look great. They are lots of work, but worth it! I want to plant a small garden next year---my first. The basil looks good. Keep those old towels ready at all times for doggie duty!

The Life of Riley said...

I'm just starting my vegetable garden for our New Zealand summer - trying to decide on tomatoe varieties to plant. I love the Sweet 100 (small cherry sized) ones, but still deciding on the others.

You have six times the muddy paws that Riley makes, and I have large mats for him at our doors although his mud efforts yesterday (the 8th and 9th photos in my Sunday post) were his best yet, and could only be fixed with a good wash!

Lena said...

I don't necessarily have muddy paws, but they sure do get wet in the dewy grass every morning. That GSD fur just soaks up all the water. Hi Charlie! Your pack looks great - they all look happy and healthy!
We still have a few tomatoes on the vine and I'm hoping we will get enough sunshine to let them ripen! I will have to try some of your tomatoes next year. Take Care!