My October Garden

I'm always grateful for the plants and flowers that continue to put on a show deep into the autumn season. As gardeners, we all try to plant to have something interesting to see all year long. Even though I don't have nearly enough time to keep all the gardens kept up the way they should to look their best, I must admit, there's still much to admire. 

I took these shots this evening, October 20th!

 The October Skies asters are winding down, but are still showy. 

The golden amsonia foliage contrasts nicely in the background. 

 Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida blooms later than the others, 

thus extending the season.

 Newly planted 'Purple Dome' aster color mimics the purple beautyberries.

 I so wish people would plant our native cranberry viburnum instead 

of the highly invasive (exotic) burning bush. Here's my viburnum in its fall coat. 

(BURN THE BURNING BUSH!)

Native prairie dropseed forms an arching frame to the background plants.

 I love the sound of the water movement in my county-style fountain. 

Ilex verticillata, our native wintrberry is sporting its showy fruits. 

 My 'Knock-Out' rose was a birthday gift from a dear friend several years ago. 

 Was surprised to find my pink yarrow still blooming.

 This was a "pass-along" plant from the same friend!

 This poor mum spent the entire winter last year in a pot on the ground on its side

 and still came back with vigor and put on a heck-of-a-show 

after I finally got in into the ground!

(Wish H&H flowers were still growing mums!)

 Primitive scarecrow

 Unidentified aster along my brick walk. 

Love this mum I got from Ruth Semones of The Rootseller! 

Its individual petals (rays?) look like they have a spoon on the tip!

My dawn redwood "needles" turned this salmon color, 

but they'll eventually drop off as this is a deciduous tree. 

These Dianthus start blooming in March & they're still going!

A lone Centaurea dealbata 

And finally, the faithful hardy begonia, Begonia grandis. 

Hope you enjoyed today's garden tour!

A Few New Goods!

Today was the first day this week I was able to stay home all day, so I was able to get a few new goodies done for the shop for this weekend. Jill offered to hold down the fort along with my hubby for a bit tomorrow morning until I get back from my appointment. 

(Thanks, you two!!!)

 Witchy kitty in a black cauldron with a witches brew recipe tag on the side. 

 Made this using a scrap of old feed bag and filled it with local drieds. 

And my favorite- a Jackie Schmitt inspired little kitty witch!

Should have taken a photo of the cool nail keg with a crow / corn label, too. Maybe tomorrow....

Encore October Opening at Fawn Run Mercantile!

Just in case you couldn't make it out to the farm last weekend, here's another chance for you to grab some

 Fall-o-ween prims or get a jump on your Christmas list!

Jill & I will have hot spiced apple juice and doughnut holes 

to offer you while you peruse the many enticing displays. 

 Here are some photos from last Saturday's opening.

 Sorry for the blurry shot on this one! Witches' brooms,

 spooky bottles, and candles galore!

 Black Crow Candles make great gifts or to treat yourself. 

The scent called "Witches Brew" smells like sweet licorice! 

 Too cute kitty!

 Decorating ideas.

The new lighted canvases were a hit last week~ we still have a nice selection. 

And even a Christmas corner!

Think you'll enjoy the colorful drive out to the farm, too. 

We've got gorgeous colors on the trees and foliage. 

Come on out to the farm!

Marcy

3883 E. 700 N. Rolling Prairie, IN

(219) 778-2809

fawnrunfarm@csinet.net

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

These are the views to the north of our farmhouse this morning around 7:30 a.m.- dark skies, but sun illuminating the brilliant foliage of the trees and plants- gorgeous! 

A view towards the barn/ shop from the back patio.

Enjoy the view!

Took this from the back patio.

Amsonia hubrichtii  in all it's fall glory!

 Marvelous maple.

 Signs of the season.

October skies aster.

Our first customer arrived at 9:00 a.m. even though we don't open till 10:00. Hubby let her in anyway and we were off to a great day of Fall-o-ween sales!!!

We're open tomorrow- Sunday, October 7th, too.

Come on out to the farm!

Apple "Jack"

You never know what you're going to find when you bring fruit and produce home, do you?

 It seems I've had a thing with mutant eatables this season- 

first a well-endowed eggplant mama I discovered 

at Mark's Greenhouses earlier this summer (see below)

and now Siamese apples from Williams Orchards! I was getting ready to peel a few fresh Cortlands I'd just purchased to make a pie for hubby's belated birthday gift when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a double-stacked apple just begging to become Apple "Jack"! 

Yes, this did come out of bag of seconds, 

as I would have had to take out a second mortgage

 to purchase the first quality apples this year!

Maybe it was because I had snowmen on my mind 

(it's that time of year for me to be creating them for my shop) that I immediately knew what I had to do.

 (The pie could wait a few more minutes!)

A couple of cloves for the eyes and nose 

(all three entries ran with juice

 as soon as I stuck them- 

OHHHH, my little man is crying.... Mr. Bill!!!!!)

and a piece of star anise for his mouth, 

cinnamon stick arms, an acorn cap, 

and corn husk scarf brought Jack to life. 

Isn't his little iron pail cute, too?

Here he is presiding over my creation 

(before I put on the top crust)- 

most likely NOT with approval, as I had 

to sacrifice several of his relations in my endeavor. 

And just in case you were wondering- 

NO, I hadn't been hitting the applejack

 before I started crafting with the produce.... 

it's just that sometimes one needs to chill out 

and have a little play time, right?

FRAGMENTS

 Jill Peterson's newest book has finally arrived and it's another classic! This highly anticipated addition to her  popular series, (following Homecoming, The Settlement, and  Homestead,) is packed cover-to-cover with primitive lovers' eye candy. I sat down to peruse its offerings last night and got so stimulated, I had to put it down to pace myself! Decided to save some for today so I could look forward to more pleasure! I'll be offering Fragments at my mercantile opening next weekend, and if there are any left, I'll take a few up to my Coachman Antique Mall booth after the October 7. Fragments retails for $28 and is worth every penny! 

Garden Gifts

Spent most of my Sunday getting garden bounty brought in for future use. 

 Sometimes it pays off to not get the weeding done; I wouldn't have had all the sweet annie I do this year if I'd weeded the paths of the cutting garden like I should have! Here, I've cut the tree-like stems and loaded my EZ Go to haul it to the barn for bundling. 

Wouldn't these look great hanging over a mirror, cabinet, door frame or a favorite framed painting?

 The aroma of the fresh herbs permeate the workshop in the barn!

 The heads of the 'Limelight' hydrangea were HUGE this year- unfortunately, I waited too long to harvest  them for drying as most were already beginning to brown. :(

Here, the 'Pinky Winky' hydrangea boasts her darker color petals next to 'Limelight.'

 I "dry" my parsley in the microwave between sheets of paper towels. About 6 minutes at 1/2 power is all it takes. Then I let it cool to room temp and store it in a big glass jar in my pantry. Leave the leaves as whole as possible, then crumble just before using to retain flavor. 

 Hubby said frost was predicted, so thought I'd better pull the last of the Thai basil and make another batch of vinegar. I'd found white wine vinegar for $2.00 a bottle at Big Lots, so stocked up on that to use as the base. Making this vinegar is so simple- stuff the basil leaves and some of the beautifully colored flowers into a clean jar then pour the purchased vinegar over the top, making sure all the leaves are submerged. Top the jar with a lid (non-metallic) and place on a sunny windowsill for 2 weeks or so, then filter out the herbs and pour into smaller jars for storage or gift giving. You may add a fresh stem of the herb in the finished jar if desired, but I usually don't bother.  I use this vinegar in my homemade salad dressings and in cooking whenever it calls for wine or vinegar. The blossoms and red stems turn this vinegar a gorgeous deep- rosy color that smells as wonderful as it looks!

Remember the purple beautyberry photos I posted last week or so? Well, here's the white- berried species! Looks like it's covered in popcorn! I need to go cut some stems to see how long they last. These would look wonderful in winter arrangements with greenery and holly berries!

And lastly, a close up of the white beautyberries.

Sinus infection and seasonal allergies have kept my energy level in the lower range this past week and I need to be in high gear to prep for the next shop opening on October 6 & 7. Wish me luck with that!!! :)