We discovered this attractive, colorful, and busy roadside stand recently, about 10 miles from our home.  We were cruising along a country road when we passed it and my husband was kind enough to turn around and go back to it, as he knows that I enjoy exploring such places.

 

I must tell you that I bought a box of fresh, tender baby lima beans from the cooler, and the last two evenings I've relished every bite as I served them with our dinner.  It has been a long time since I've tasted that delicacy.  What is your take on baby limas served with dinner?

 

 

cauli 'flower'

 

A table filled with cauliflowers was the first thing that greeted me upon entering the country store.

In all of my fifty some years, I have never seen yellow or purple cauliflower.  I stood there staring, and the nice lady attending the store said that it is the varieties that they grow. 

How interesting!  I think I will stick with the original white whenever I cook this vegtable.

 

It does remind me though, that I saw a recipe that reminded me of one that my mother so often made in our home.

 

It is a delicious way to serve cauliflower, and they pictured it served with green peas surrounding it.

What a pretty way to serve a healthy vegtable!

 

You can find a colorful picture and simple instructions to make it here, along with many other mouthwatering recipes;

 

http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/

Scroll down from the "garlic chicken" recipe

  

 

One never knows what one will find when driving through our part of the country.  To me, it is like a treasure hunt, on the rare moments when it happens.

Happy Thursday to each of you, whether you like limas and cauliflower. or not:)

When October produces this kind of lovely artistry, one just has to share it.  Thanks to my uncle and his photography skills, I will share them.  They were captured in the state of Virginia.  I pray that they add a touch of "beauty" to your Wednesday, like they did to mine on this somewhat dismal, overcast morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artistry in its finest form...the colorful blooms, the intricate design of each flower, the many shades in the foliage, the varied fragrances, it all never ceases to amaze me.

"Nature is the art of God".   ~Dante

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by.

 

 

 When it is overcast and somewhat dismal on a Saturday afternoon, what do you choose to do with three children who are spending time with you?

Well, we chose to visit a Miniature Horse Farm several miles from our home, and from all indications, I think we made a great decision.

 

 

 

 At the festive looking Pop's Produce Stand we turned into the farm lane.

 

 

One of the unique features of the visit, was the small cart pulled by a miniature horse.  With total teamwork, two young brothers hooked up the horse.  Notice the Saturday afternoon laundry hanging on the line to dry.  It was all surreal, as I felt like we had stepped back into another era of history. 

 

 

 

 

First ride was for the two girls and their young driver.  Down the farm lane they went, so happy and carefree.

 

 

Next it was our grandson's turn, and he smiled the entire way.

It was the cutest little miniature horse and cart, and I thought to myself what a clever idea these farmers had, in creating this activity for children.

 

 

They had the opportunity to groom their new found, easy going friend, and they took it quite seriously.

Gently, the little one brushed the long tail over and over again.

 

 

 

Before leaving, of course we had to make a stop at the concession stand, only to discover that the owner had freshly made potato chips to sample.  Warm potato chips cooked in peanut oil...what could be better!

 

 

As we rode home, we passed more farmers working the fields, tirelessy gathering the corn, because of the coming winter season.

Yes, we live in the midst of hard working, dedicated farmers, that in one way or another have learned how to use their entrepreneurial expertise to support their families. 

It was a memorable afternoon, despite the lack of sunny weather.

Thank you for stopping here.  By the way, there are many more farms to visit in our county, and it really isn't the only way we spend our spare time here:)  It just seems that way in my latest posts.

 

 

I so enjoy visiting blogs and seeing the interesting and creative touches you all add to your homes, in the fall of the year.

The colors, textures, lights, and smells add a cozy and warm feeling to the season.

 

Last evening I captured a few of the fall accents I added to our home, simple though they may be.

 

This old lantern I hung by the entranceway at the front porch.  I added some branches with orange berries, some fall leaves and a pillar battery operated candle with a  timer.

I like the warmth that it exudes in welcoming family and friends.

 

I added a pot of yellow mums in the old clay pot, and a fall colored ribbon, on the front porch.

More branches of berries and fall leaves were added to the glass apothocary punch server, on the table at the bottom of the living room stairs.

 

I love to core and bake apples at this time of the year.  I don't use a recipe, I just mix brown sugar, cinnamon, chopped walnuts and a few little pieces of butter, and stuff it into the cored apple.  I cover with foil, and.bake in the oven for 1 hour at 350 degrees.  Our home smells wonderful and the apples taste so good, especially when served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

 

 

 

 

Our kitchen table centerpiece.

 

 

 

 

The pumpkin faced ghord made into a lantern, returns to sit on my

 island, offering his happy smile to all who enter our kitchen.

 

Just a few of the festive sights and smells I added to our home, in this my favorite time of the year.

 

Hoping you have some moments to take in the fall beauty this weekend.

 

 

 

 We live in town, and so for us a visit to the farm is fun and adventuresome.

 

She wanted to pet the calf, in the wire pen.  Obviously she was more excited about meeting than  was the calf.

It's reaction was quite unexpected.  I watched her quickly back away.

She met a new friend at the farm, although both seemed a bit shy.

 

 

She was intriqued by the many shapes and colors of the pumpkins and ghords. 

 

 

 

 

And, I was impressed by how creative the owners were in the many fall vignettes around the property. 

 

 

 

When she discovered that not all pumpkins are smooth, she obviously shared her distaste...

 

 

 

... as she touched the "peanut" pumpkin.  Did you know that there was such a pumpkin?

 

 

Fall continues to add it's lovely touches to our countryside, and I am enjoying all of it's beauty.

 

I did learn from one of our daughters this morning, that they are in the midst of a big, winter snowstorm.  October 4th is too early in my book for that.

 

Thanks for stopping by today and sharing the farm visit with us.

 

 

 

 

I got this idea from one of my favorite magazines, "Where Women Cook".

The recipe is "Breakfast Rolls on a Stick".

The recipe calls for 3 cnas of pre-made breakfast rolls, with icing included( and they used cinnamon, orange, and caramel rolls by Pillsbury for the recipe).

 

I used one can of the flaky caramel.

 

 

The recipe calls for 24 medium sized dowels(they can be found in the craft section of most stores).

 

I purchased mine inexpensively at A.C.Moore store.  They only had the long ones, but they are easy to cut to whatever size needed.

 

I found the recipe in the Sept/Oct/Nov 2011 edition.

It was in the "My Girlfriend's Breakfast Club" section.

They picture it so beautifully.

 

 

 

This was a much easier project than I imagined it to be.

 

~Preheat oven accoring to directions on the package of breakfast rolls.

~Open your cans(I used one can) of breakfast rolls.  Unroll the dough and wrap around the wooden dowel and place on a large cooking sheet to bake.

 

~While baking, take your icing and spoon it into a microwave-safe plastic bag.  Put the bag in the microwave for 10-12 seconds until the icing is runny.

 

~When rolls are done according to package directions, remove from oven.

 

~Twist the sandwich bag with the icing like a baker's pastry bag and snip a corner with scissors to make your own frosting bag.  Zigzag frosting over the sticks and immediately sprinkle and /or roll them in toppings of your choice.

 

~Place and serve in wide-mouth mason jars or other crockery.

 

Toppings for your rolls once they are frosted(they liked coconut, chopped pecans, large sugar crystals, and raisins, or whatever you choose).

 

 

 

 

Add a bow and a homemade tag and it will be a fun hostess gift or birthday gift for a friend.

 

 

 

 

 

It also looked nice in my white ceramic pitcher.

 

The "Where Women Cook" magazine offers so many great ideas, recipes, and does feature some amazing cooks. 

Thanks to the magazine for this fun and creative way to share cinnamon rolls.

 

 

A few words describing my busy weekend;

INSPIRATION...

As I sat on my porch, in the early morning hour Sunday, the line from an Elvis Presley song, came to my mind;

 "And who hung the moon and the stars in the sky

 Somebody bigger than you and I."

The star filled sky and the beautiful full moon lighting up the field below, was a breathtaking and inspiring way to start out my day.

ADORATION...

 of the tender moments of a little girl and her tiny brother.

CELEBRATION...

turning two is a big event in our family.

 

 

 

ANTICIPATION...

 

it is written all over her sweet, little face.

 

 

As always, I like to share the simple, yet memorable moments of our family with you.

 

Wishing you each moments of inspiration, adoration, celebration and anticipation in whatever form they make take, as you begin a brand new week.

 

Thank you for stopping by.