Delivering Pumpkins...and other fun.

Merle came by for a visit and he posed right in front of the garden 

with Smudge. 

We have had a really wild week.

Pumpkin deliveries and getting ready for our neighborhood

PumpkinFest.

Smudge has been working very hard and she is really excited!

Can you see the excitement in her eyes? 

Sometimes falling asleep in mid play.

Zippy is also excited because he saw some nice big black cows on our walk.

He pointed them out for me. 

He likes to point and the cows were more than happy to be pointed out.

Zippy now has a nickname...he is the Jumping Dog.

We have had such nice weather and the leaves are putting on a fabulous show.

Zippy got his coat stuck on the barbed wire.

I think he wondered why I made him wear his coat...it was in the 30s.

I guess that I was cold and figured if I needed a coat he did as well.

I really think he was trying to scrape it off with the barbed wire....don't tell him that I said that.

See the white stitching on his velcro?

He did that last year when he ran right through his coat.

A 2 inch wide piece of velcro...Or should I say...Hook and Loop?  

(I would hate to offend other hook and loop makers..He he he)

He can be just a "little" hard on things.

I love this time of year...it just goes by so fast...

Loving all of the beautiful fall wildflowers.

The Jumping Dog...did something really really bad on our walk.

He is a terrier and I need to remember that.

However....when you see the type of thing that I saw....It really is a 

shocker.

We were joyfully walking along when he spotted some movement near a log.

I saw him dart over to the log and tried desperately to get to him before 

he did what he did.

It is hard to even write about......

Anyway..

Right before I reached the log....and the dog...the dog on the log....Ha ha ha..

I saw it...

The chipmunk.

It just jumped right into the air and with one quick snap....

the little woodland creature was down the hatch.

Barely any chewing....just down the hatch.

Horrible!

Zippy was very proud. 

A view from the golf course.

Some folks have been asking me to post a picture of a Peter Pepper.

Well folks...this is it.

They are an heirloom variety and a very good hot pepper.

They make excellent dried pepper flakes.

Just look at that cute little bundle of joy...

She knows that something really fun is about to happen.

THE GIANT PUMPKIN LIFT..

This is Opal...and me.

Can you tell that I am a little sad to see them go?

I miss those big orbs in my yard.

Lots of tender loving care went into these things.

Not to mention all of the pruning, fertilizing, and watering.

I know that they are going to a good home and that makes it a little better.

Here I am giving Ruby a lecture on how to be a good display pumpkin. 

She really soaked in all of the advice that I gave her.

At least...she did not talk back to me....so I think she got it.

Enjoy your pumpkins while you have them....

They grow up so fast.

Opal in front of The Ragged Garden Inn and the Best Cellar.

Smudge taking it easy during the pumpkin delivery.

She was most definitely the center of attention.....she had really nice baby sitters.

They followed us into the parking lot to see the pumpkins and then saw Smudge.

She had a great time.

This is Smudge on the way home...

A full day for a little dog.

Seriously....

Well well well.....

What can I say about this?

So unbelievably beautiful!!!

Color.....

you have to LOVE it!!!

I think it is natures way of saying....enjoy this little tidbit of warmth and beauty...

you are getting ready to have some cold snowy weather.  

Put your boots on and ride it out until next year.

Shamrock spider.

Super duper cuteness.

We had visitors over the weekend and enjoyed this beautiful fire.

Also a little pumpkin carving.

We all had a great time.

Getting ready for PumpkinFest.

Check out Gus!

He looks so vicious.

Silly dogs.

Have a Great week!!!  

Our first snow of the season.

Well...a lot has happened this past week.

The giant pumpkins (Opal, Ruby, and Yet to be named) will be going to their new home at 

The Inn at Ragged Gardens and  

The Best Cellar Restaurant in Blowing Rock.  

If you have a chance and are in the area stop by and check them out.

Smudge is growing at a record rate.

Just look at her!  

She is getting huge.  She reminds us of the flying nun.

Still as mean as a snake...Just kidding...not really...kidding that is.

Ollie....

Still lame in the left front.

Our wonderful farrier..Charlie..came over and trimmed Ollie this past week.

We found no indication of an abscess or any other issue with his hoof.

No heat or sensitivity.

Still no swelling or any other issue anywhere on his leg, knee or shoulder.

I am at a total loss as to what on earth this could be.  

He does not seem to be in extreme pain.  

He puts full weight on it.

He acts perfectly normal...not lying down more often and eating as usual.

This photo of him was taken last Sat. after Charlie checked him out.

Standing with full weight on his leg.  He is on a bit of a an incline in our front yard.

I do however wish that I had my camera during Charlie's visit.

He and his son stopped by after attending the ASU ballgame and he was in

his "street" clothes.   

You have not lived until you have seen your farrier in fringed chaps, shorts and 

tennis shoes working on a mini mule.  We all got a good laugh out of it.

All of us except Ollie that is....

We have been having some stellar weather lately.

The leaves are changing at a record rate.

Nice and warm too.

This guy must have just come out of his cocoon. 

His color was very bright.

He also picked one of the brightest flowers to light on.

Beautiful Elk Knob State Park.

Snake Mountain. 

Hey!

Are you really taking away my giant pumpkins???

I will miss you Opal.....

Zippy has really been getting into jumping lately.

He is showing off for Smudge.

Just look at that form....

I give it a 10.

Smudge is a bit confused by the jumping.

She is really all about being grounded.

Enjoying the nice soft grass.

Dreaming of the next time that she can use her shark teeth on my tender skin.

Check it out. 

LTM's (Larry the Magnificent's) farm.  

Beautiful!!!

Took these on the way up to see my friend MA that was in the car accident.

She had another surgery last week and 

is really doing well. 

Thanks so much for all of the well wishes and prayers for her. 

Elk Knob.

Zippy on take off.

Mid flight.

Coming down to earth.

Ha ha ha..Zippy down to earth. 

Smudge lounging in her crate.

Studying for her new career as a concrete model.

So...

This was taken this morning.

A light dusting of snow.

On Oct. 1st.

A little later.

I had to cover the pumpkins with the horse blankets....

The horses got to stay inside.

Everyone was happy.

This afternoon.....

Always interesting around here.

Have a great week folks!  

Thanks for stopping by.

I will now be in my kitchen for days processing every vegetable known to man.