282/365 Hydrangeas

They have been cut and sent to the big compost at the back of the yard. So amazed with how long we enjoyed these beauties this summer. Until next June.....

 281/365 Meatballs

We made 98 of them but likely only about 50 will make it into the freezer. Between snacking and tonights supper they are disappearing quickly! 

 280/365 Squirrel

I have been watching this squirrel and his friends slowly store away the dark brown shiny nuts from the Ohio Buckeye in our front yard. They have been very busy retrieving the large leathery capsules from the tree, breaking them open to get the nuts and then carrying them to the backyard for storage.There are nut shells all over the driveway. I have found several of these hard dark nuts in my planters when cleaning them out. Silly squirrels. 

The nuts look very much like a chestnut. but they are VERY poisonous! 

I waited for the best morning light to get a photo of this fellow. 

 279/365 Celebrating 47 Years Together

 278/365 Farewell Summer

 277/365 Maple Tree

 276/365 Fall Table

 275/365 Sweater

This is an Aunt Heather original handed down from the cousins. It was made for Tanis who is now 17 so probably made about 15 years ago. And it remains in perfect condition. I believe Emma is the fourth grandchild to wear it. Pretty sweet! Perhaps Ella (Tanis' baby sister) will wear it one day. 

 274/365 Vintage Sunbeam Mixer

Making a freezer batch of Shepherds Pie today. This hand mixer was a gift from my Mom. It was made some time in the 1970 which puts it at over 50 years. I have been using it since we were married (47 years). 

These durable those old Sunbeam appliances were manufactured in an era that used heavy-duty copper windings and simpler mechanical gears that outlast almost any modern, plastic-geared equivalent today. They say that these vintage models can keep going indefinitely with just a tiny bit of basic upkeep.... or in my case, no upkeep other than a quick wipe with a dish cloth. 

I like using it. Reminds me of Mom and learning to bake as a newlywed. :) 

 273/365 Lemon Verbena

My herbs were so prolific this year and I don't have the heart to pull them out so I trimmed them all down and potted them up for a winter in a sunny south window. If they survive great! If not meh. My Thyme and Rosemary did wonderfully last year and then thrived when transplanted back into the garden so here is hoping they tolerate another winter inside. I had so much Lemon Verbena that I dried it and filled two  spice bottles. Also filled a bottle with Thyme. I have never dried herbs before but it was quite easy after some basic instructions with Google AI.