FOTO FRIDAY: FIRSTS

FOTO FRIDAY and FIRSTS: This past week change was definitely in the air as Fall hit the Rock. Little Rock, that is. My first to see what would happen at the new abode. 

Most of my trees will not drop their leaves until January and this country mouse hasn't raked in 20 years. Fun, fun.  I did invest in a leaf blower to help with what is already falling. In a mere 20 minutes all one's work can need to be redone as winds share leaves from neighbor's yards / my very own roof / trees. Ah the joys of urban living.

The biggest joy in mid November has been to see the camelias blooming along side the sweet Japanese Maple turning a brilliant candy apple red.

See what I mean:

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was POR FIN

MONDAY MUSINGS: IN THE DARK

Are you missing something? 

Like an hour of light in the morning?

Well, my household has been hit hard as that day light savings hour really has messed up our schedule. That is Balto's and mine.

Starting with feeding time.

Since I'm exercising postponing feeding time hasn't gone over well. Balto has started howling as if I'm going to stop what I'm doing to go feed him. I have compromised. 

But the real issue is going  on that walk as it's really dark.

Thank goodness for  neighbors who leave on front porch lights... 

That old farm lantern flash light is coming in very handy  accompanyinf me to not only see where I am stepping but also helping me pick up his deposits.

 

Fact is, it's never easy being in the dark... and where folks always asked me if I was scared being out in the country , it's much more harrying walking the dog near the surburban creek sidewalk without street lights.

FOTO FRIDAY:POR FIN

 

FOTO FRIDAY: POR FIN, Finally, it arrived!

 "What?" you may ask.

Well, Fall and its wondrous colors.

Here are 3 beauties Balto and I encountered along our walk this week.

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was GOURD' GEOUS

TBT: WESTON GARDENS

 Day 3 wasn't over yet for what kind of gardeners would we be to pass up an opportunity to go plant shopping at a very unique place called Weston Gardens known for its landscaping, garden center and being a wedding venue with photo ops galore.

No way to forget we were in the South to be welcomed with a big 'ole 

The Westons both had had other jobs but envisioned and wanted to run a garden center having their home garden as a demonstration garden starting which came to fruition in 1988. It was Mrs. Weston who shared their story with us and how her son now runs the business since her husband passed.  Yet, Randy Weston's memory lives on in his work and with quotes like "Gardens don't just happen, they start with a plan."

We got to witness and experience their vision. From their colorful garden center displays and healthy plants to demonstration gardens across the street...

 One of my favorite displays was their wonderful seasonal pumpkin wall ...

And as another person's popular quote states "Build it and they will come." So have many folks like us come to view and shop and even wed on the property. 

One can't leave without being inspired. 

 After one crosses the street from the retail shop one can stroll through the demo gardens which originally were the private home of Peggy and Leon Bandy. In the old days it was a popular spot for folks from Fort Worth to come for dances and go swimming. Now many weddings also take place amidst the different stone creations of stairs, paths and fountains.

A once very popular swimming hole and the Stone ship was used for dances and parties in 1942.  Unfortunately it burnt down after a raucous teenage party. It was rebuilt by the Westons in 2013.

stone fountain

There's the original house, lily pond, wisteria arbor, shade garden, patio and  wedding court and lower gardens.

The infamous Turks Cap

The historic New England Barn was built in the 1920's by the Bandys who used to stable their horses here with an unusual floor of Bois d'arc wood bricks. 

In great disrepair it was the first restoration project of the Westons who now use it as a bridal suite for their many weddings.

The grounds were very inviting with very charming touches. 

Best of all Weston Gardens was a perfect place to sit after a full day of touring and enjoy the late summer day amidst the lush foliage...

CHAYOTE

NO, not coyote with the Spanish pronounciation 'koh- yoh- tay' but CHAYOTE (chah-yoh-tay) which is a brand new word for me.

Chayote is a fruit, prepared like a vegetable. It looks like a pear and was an ingredient in a new recipe that grabbed my eye.

Chayote isn't easy to find but the last 2 were hiding in a Mexican food store and the recipe luckily only called for 2.

Nothing cuts the chill of a Fall day like a good hearty soup and I have found a great new recipe called Caldo de Rés (Mexican Beef Soup) which I just have to share.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 lbs. beef shank, with bone
• 1 T vegetable oil
• 2 t salt
• 2 t ground black pepper
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 3 c beef broth
• 4 c water
• 2 med carrot, coarsely chopped
• ¼ c chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 potato, quartered (Optional)
• 2 ears corn, husked and cut into thirds
• 2 chayotes, quartered (Optional- substitute with zucchini
• 1 medium head cabbage, cored and cut into wedges
• ¼ c sliced pickled jalapeños
• ¼ c finely chopped onion
• 1 c chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 limes, cut into wedges
• 4 radishes, quartered and sliced

Directions

Instructions Checklist

• Step 1

  Cut meat from bone ~1/2 " pieces, leave some on bone

• Step 2

  Heat heavy soup pot over medium-high heat until very hot. Add oil.

  • Tilt pan to coat bottom. Add meat and bones. Season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until browned.

• Step 3

• Add 1 onion, and cook until onion lightly browned.

• Stir in tomatoes and broth. Liquid should cover bones by 1/2". If not, add  water. 

• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour with  lid on loosely. If meat not tender, continue cooking for another 10 minutes.

• Step 4

  Pour in water and return to simmer. Add carrot and 1/4 cup cilantro. Cook  10 minutes, then stir in potato, corn and chayote. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Push  cabbage wedges into  soup, and cook for about 10 more minutes.

• Step 5

  Ladle soup into large bowls, including meat vegetables and bones. Garnish with jalapenos, minced onion, and additional cilantro. Squeeze lime juice over all, and serve with radishes.

• 
  ¡Delicioso!

• 
  

 

MONDAY MUSING: BITING THE BULLET

Don't you just love idioms?  Here's a musing this Monday to use one.

As many of you know my 96 year old Dad has been able to continue living independently in our family home. 

Yet, he has been noticeably slowing down and losing interest in his water aerobics class where he admitted having a locker room fall incident.This scared him enough to want to quit the class and to start using the walker to 'stretch his legs'.

Unbeknownst to him we were aware of other bruising that didn't match his stories and knew he had begun falling along with a waning appetite. It definitely was time for a doctor's visit. 

PT was arranged as were other overdo appointments for sight and hearing. Since safety was of the utmost importance we knew in-home care was imminent so I had begun inquiring as to various resources. For those of you who have gone through this with loved ones, it is not an easy, quick process.

Then, when I was out of town Dad suffered a serious fall in the bathroom when his slipper caught under one of his walker wheels causing him to lose his balance and fall backward into the tub. He hit his head and lay there from 5 am until the PT person arrived for his 10 am appointment. Luckily, she heard him from outside the house calling for help. He was fortunate to have just a headache, a very sore back, an injured elbow and a very bruised ego.  It took one more fall a week later when he couldn't get up and called me to come help. That day he uttered the words, " I hate to say this but I know I need help within the house. "

It's been one week with 2 shifts of in-home care with my brother and me filling in between shifts and weekend coverage in order to allow my Dad to remain at home per his wishes and our desire that he is safer.

Having to ' bite the bullet ' has no age limit...

FOTO FRIDAY: 'GOURD'GEOUS

For this FOTO FRIDAY  I have to introduce you to someone new in my household. I might not have bought any plants during the Texan excursion but I did return with a chick. 

Meet my Texas Chick...

For being only 2 inches tall, doesn't she have 'tude?  

She's such a perfect addition to my chicken collection.  ... and get this, she's made out of a small gourd.'GOURD'geous

In case you missed it last week's FOTO FRIDAY  was WORKING YOUR FINGERS TO THE BONE

TBT: PUMPKIN, PUMPKIN, PUMPKIN EATER

TBT: A month ago on a Thursday the Arkansas Master Gardeners were finishing our last garden visit being  greeted by thousands of pumpkins at the Dallas Arboretum's spectacular autumnal display.  A definite must see to put on your Fall calendars!

We had a short introduction to the gardens by the director and went out on our own to explore. 

Over 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash donned the grounds lining walkways and accenting over 150,000 fall flowers - especially in the Pumpkin Village where pumpkin buildings are almost dwarfed in this year's larger than life insects in 'Bugtopia'. 

It's true what they say, 

" Everything is bigger in Texas" even the insects.

 

Hundreds of mums bordered by marigolds
 were being planted  above the pond

The gardens were also already being prepared for their next display of the  "12 Days of Christmas". Crews were feverishly working as busy as bees assembling structures for the Christmas village and replanting.

I enjoyed the serenity of the Women's Garden... 

and the numerous water features throughout all the different gardens

Trial gardens 

Although the ground was a bit soggy from the previous night's storm we were so fortunate to have been spared being drenched during any of our outings. 

 And I know those few roses left blooming were glad they could put on a show for us too! 

The Dallas Arboretum was a great ending to our Texas garden adventure!

* I should mention those pumpkins don't just rot but do go home with employees and volunteers and also head out to the Zoo for the animals' enjoyment.

MONDAY MUSINGS: PROPER ETIQUETTE

One thing that differentiated growing up in the South in my day was the importance of proper etiquette especially in what to wear when.  

When Balto heard me talking about expecting guests at dinnertime Sunday and I planned to change before dinner, he showed up in something besides his Fall coat.

Take a look.

Yes, there he was dressed up for a fancy dinner in tux apparel. Cuff links in his white dress shirt and black tie. Well, he is a rescue dog from Texas but quite a smart look for this recent country transplant.

 I did help him straighten his tie.

When he saw me in my country mouse costume he realized his mistake as the "special" occasion was greeting trick or treaters at our door. 

He returned with this sign around his neck:

So you do know what he was dressed up as, right?

SCROLL DOWN... Get ready

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A FORMAL APOLOGY as he didn't want the guests to feel underdressed...  ba da boom...  

(thanks Janet)