Today feels like a real fall day. I was switching out screens for storm windows this morning when the truck bringing our winter supply of wood pellets arrived. There's a freeze watch for tonight, so I spent a lot of time in the garden. I'll cover what I can, but I can't cover it all, so I picked as much as I could.
This isn't a season's worth of cherry tomatoes. It's two days' worth. Four plants (which sowed themselves) = one quart of cherry tomatoes every day. A woman I work with barely gets by on her part-time wages, and you'd think I was taking her pieces of gold when I bring in cherry tomatoes. It makes me appreciate them all the more.
Scallions and dill. So good straight from the garden. I hope some of what's left out in the garden makes it through the chilly night.
There are many, many surfaces covered with winter squash, which needs to cure a bit before I put it in a basket. There's a wheelbarrow's worth of red and yellow onions in the garage, drying.
I nearly made a terrible mistake with this plate a few weeks ago. I bought it earlier this summer on a Jadite buying binge. I fully intended to re-sell it, because it's pretty hard to find this style, and I don't collect this pattern. (Well, I don't necessarily collect this pattern. I'm an equal-opportunity Jadite collector.) I was taking photos, getting ready to list it on eBay, and for whatever reason, it occurred to me to try something.
I got out one of my small bowls, and it fit perfectly in the center. Like it was made for that. (Which it wasn't, as far as I know, but still...) Anyway, I realized I certainly could not sell the plate, because it would be perfect at Christmas, for different cookies and treats.
Or for vegetables, with dip in the middle. (You'll have to imagine the dip. Which would be made with the fresh scallions and dill.)
Anyway, it was fortunate I came to my senses. There's no way I'm selling that plate.
I forgot to show you these - six McKee footed dishes, which I got in Pennsylvania. I honestly thought I was going to resell them, too. Until I got them home.
Now I'm thinking they need to be filled with chocolate pudding - the real kind, not the kind from a box, not that I object to it necessarily. Warm chocolate pudding. With a little bit of whipped cream, and shaved bittersweet chocolate. I'll light a fire in the stove. Maybe make a stew with some of those vegetables. Watch the leaves fall and listen to the geese out back on the neighbor's pond. It was a settling-in kind of day, and it was pretty nice.
Very pretty! You definitely need to keep those! Hugs! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | October 05, 2011 at 06:08 PM
I don't what the word is for it but as soon as another person talks about food I become one of those people at the fair who cluck like chickens when they're hypnotized. Must. Make. Pudding.
I'm also coveting your squash.
Posted by: Into Vintage | October 05, 2011 at 07:54 PM
Oh dear your description of settling into fall complete with a lovely garden harvest and pudding in those amazing dishes is much better than the electric heater I plugged in the kitchen while yelling at my children to put sweaters on.
Posted by: Kate | October 05, 2011 at 09:29 PM
Sounds like a perfect settling in day..
Love the little tray that so perfectly fit one of your bowls..a wise choice to keep that treasure to yourself.
warm chocolate pudding? in my dreams....
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | October 05, 2011 at 09:59 PM
Those veggies look amazing. Almost still life perfect. Something about fresh from the garden just makes them taste better. Sharing them makes them sweeter. However, that platter is the hit with the bowl in the center. Never would have seen that. Our loss is your gain...smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | October 05, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Oh my goodness, THANK YOU! You just made me not dread the looming Autumn! I am so happy you are able to share your tomatoes with your co-worker. I have one who's mother covets my home grown tomatoes so much I am told she squeals with delight that I will send her more. How fun is THAT kind of sharing!
Posted by: Kathy | October 06, 2011 at 12:38 AM
Your jadite is beautiful and it perfectly features your home grown goodies. I miss my big garden. The bounty that used to fill the kitchen at harvest time was a sight to behold. You just can't compare it to anything. Your kitchen must look and smell fabulous at this time of year! It can make one feel quite, well, smug.
Posted by: Kat | October 06, 2011 at 07:34 AM
Oh Barbara, I wish we were neighbors.....I'd truly revel in a visit at the kitchen table, eating warm chocolate pudding in a Jadite cup, while watching the Autumn nature unfold outside. Perfection. (Autumn's my favorite season.)
Oh the fabulosity of that Jadite serving tray! I do believe anything would look and taste better when served from it.
You are a sweetheart for bringing your colleague garden-fresh veggies. Quite often it's the little things we do that look saintly to those who need it the most. :)
P.S. So I woke up at 5:30am cuz I couldn't sleep, and after reading your post, now I'm hungry. Thanks for that.....
Posted by: Maria (Magia Mia) | October 06, 2011 at 09:43 AM