The cold wind seemed to bite

as Sophie and I took an early morning walk. The warm, fall like days have left the farm , as well as the cheery colors in the landscape.However, I still think so much holds it's own beauty. So much color can still be seen. Looking out over the dry ranch land, there is a golden brown glow across the horizon, where all of those sunflowers, I previously posted about, once were. The old barbed wire fence seems to always have something of interest clinging to it during the different seasons. The grays and browns of the post and the surrounding trees bring out the yellow and golden hues of the grounds even more.

How about you? What colors are surrounding you? Browns.............grays? Perhaps a blanket of white?

I have to say...............I am excited! I have now added this wonderful book to my overflowing collection. Although I have never been much interested in French cooking, I have always admired Julia Child. I have two of her other books, although I have never cooked any thing from them.{: She inspired me many years ago when I learned about her life and how she started her career in her 40's. I was a stay at home mom...............and it seemed that everyone around me had a career and a label of some importance. I loved being a mother and was proud to be doing what I was doing.............however, the dreams I stashed far, far away, would still call out to me now and then. When I learned that she chose to do what she loved and was successful at it.................not in her 20's but later on in life, ...............it gave me hope, that after my busy "mother" life was finished, that maybe I too, would find my path later on. Although I am still "mom" I am not needed as much as I once was, and now I feel that I am at that moment in life.......................I guess that I why I took on the cooking job a few months ago. But there is much more that I want to do.............as you, who have all read me these past few years know, ..............besides melt away at a grill. Maybe, I will get my feet on that path................soon. Since the wind gave us such a good chill, I am going to cook Boeuf Bourguignon..........out of Julia's book. It is basically a beef stew, but with wine added to it.............something I have never actually cooked with............however, I have all of the ingredients and I am ready! I will let you know later, how it turned out. How about you? Do you fix soup or stew on cold, cold days?
Who inspired or inspires you ? I would love to hear!

Have A Wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Not too much to write these days................

but...........wow!..........thank you,dear friends, for commenting on the last post about sprouting acorns! You are all such a good wealth of knowledge and encouragement.............and even though I might have a little garden experience.................I totally did not even think about how long it actually does take an oak tree to grow................thanks to you who mentioned that. I find my mind crowded with what I want to create for the upcoming Thanksgiving feast............and work?...................work has become increasingly hectic and stressful. There are days that I simply cannot take a break because we are so busy with customers calling in orders for food. I am amazed and overwhelmed at how many people know this little cafe exists and want food! By the end of the day, I am completely worn out. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving coming up..........that day I get to escape the hectic cooking and sink back into my life of comfort cooking.....for just a short blessed period! How about you? Are you looking forward to your Thanksgiving feast? Are you cooking something new and different? I would love to hear!

The cool weather is making

the leaves of the lonely little oak tree turn to a beautiful red. I say this tree is lonely because it is by itself in the back, by the tool shed door. There is only one other tree like it on the grounds and it is out in the front. I would love to be able to plant more of these trees, plus other varieties of shade trees all over the grounds........................
maybe one day if I win the lottery...................if I ever played...........
The acorns are also all over the ground and I wonder.............would these sprout??
Do any of you know? Have you tried sprouting them?
I would love to hear!

It was time to clean the pond

before the cold weather sets in....................

to my delight, there are 12 bullfrogs living in the water with our goldfish. I just love these whimsical creatures..............yes, that is Sophie's nose.She is checking out this cold, smelly, fellow. She can't stand anything else getting my attention and she is just as curious about nature's critters as much as I am.
I managed to get only 4 to hang around for a group photo..........then , they too, hopped away. What surprises me most is that we live far out, away from any natural water source. For these creatures to find our pond and to flourish here, especially in this thorny, dry area, is just the amazing! Don't you think? And yes, as soon as the pond was filled with fresh water, they all returned.

Isn't life sweet?

For the past week, I have had a visitor..............

He starts his visit by walking through the woods up to our home, .............I found his footprints along the paths...........................

Then ends up here in the late afternoon, for a drink and a nibble of bird seed and apples...............I know, because I have had the delight of seeing him as I look out of the window.
Here is his one of his footprint...................the only close up photo I can show you at this time.................
Do you know your wildlife footprints to be able to guess what he is???

Or do you have super eye sight to see him in the middle of the dots I placed on this photo......................(use the zoom icon on the top of the page and zoom in at 400%.........and you can see him!)

You are correct if you say he is a deer...........a buck.........with beautiful antlers! I have no idea why he is always by himself, and I should worry about his nibbling visits here........but for now, in the onset of winter, I am happy to have him as a visitor.

How about you?

What kinds of wild visitors have you had?

I would love to hear!