Conversations in the Country

Me: Look! A Christmas tree farm! I could have a real Christmas tree this year.
Carol: No, Jeeves.
Me: Why not? We should come out and saw down some Christmas trees.
Carol: No, Jeeves.
Me: Why not? Why can't I have a real tree?
Carol: Because no! Because you're not going to be home and then I have to water it!
Me: Bummer.
Carol: You just want a tree because you're high on country air.

Later...

Me: Sometimes I think I should buy a farmhouse with a barn.
Carol: No, Jeeves.
Me: I could move out in the country and drive a pick-up truck.
Carol: No, Jeeves, no! Farmhouses and barns come with acreage.
Me: I could have acreage! When you have acreage, you can let some of it grow up.
Carol: Jeeves, no!
Me: You don't have to mow the whole thing.
Carol: Aren't you the one who always says that you have to live within 15 minutes of a Target?
Me: Yeah, but I wouldn't need all those things. I could just knit all the time.
Carol: No, Jeeves. See, it's that country air! You're high on country air again!

Favorite Things Friday—Fall in the Country

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to take a drive out in the country. Destination = small town. And it's so much better if it's a sunny day. Last Saturday was perfect.



The leaves are finally ablaze.


We went to Owosso, where we had lunch in a family restaurant and bought candy at the five-and-dime. Carol found Canadian peppermints. She was thrilled.

On the way home we stopped at a farm...

...where we were met by Gourd Guy. He encouraged us to purchase some gourds and pumpkins.



I purchased several gourds, which were soon thereafter eaten by evil squirrels.

Carol really really wanted one of these...

... but we couldn't lift them, so she had to settle for a large instead.

A great day.

A is for Apple

I made the annual trip to Uncle John's Cider Mill yesterday, and I was so disappointed that the weather didn't cooperate. It was absolutely gorgeous. The Weather Channel said 74 degrees, but I think it was closer to 80. And too warm to wear my new denim jacket and red Tweedy Mitts. I had been looking forward to a cool, crisp autumn day, but it was not to be.

So sad.

The day was not lost, however. I did manage to finish one of Jeeves's Garter Ribs (minus grafting the toe) just before we arrived at the Cider Mill.



And we managed to buy a peck of apples.



Honey Crisps are absolutely the best apple in the world. Among their many virtues: they are never mealy, they are a perfect combination of sweet and tangy, they are juicy, and they have a long shelf life.



I think I'll go eat one right now.