Lovely fall...and gobbling turkeys

well, the cold has been pushed back enough to feel comfortably cool - so far, a terrific fall, since the deep chill only lasted a few days. The leaves are JUST coming into their best color - I expect another 2 weeks (at least) of gorgeous reds, oranges and yellows...our big sugar maple in front has yet to even get going. As I sit and look into the back garden, the pear trees are just dusting with red at the tippy top of the trees...and the tom turkey is putting out a real 'gobble' now! It is so funny - I have never heard one in person - and about 3 days ago, as I was walking outside - it was as if he was talking...so cute, and the feathers are gorgeous - they are a pair of black and white 'Royal Palm' turkeys, and nearly full grown. Much better looking than when they were first given to us! These two (Turk and Caicos) will not be dinner - no worries for them, but I am hoping for some offspring next year that might be.

We have had many guests taking drives on Skyline drive this week - that is our part of the Blue Ridge Parkway - and they all said it was lovely, but the roads that wind through our part of Albemarle county are just as pretty. And the view on Carter mountain - plus the October 'pink lady' apples - shouldn't be missed if you are here!

The work here now revolves around the leaves, of course - cleaning up and tidying the perennial beds, mulching for the winter, and composting the leaves when the last have finally fallen. I look forward to a few late fall bonfires in the evenings, venison stew, and lighting the fireplaces, once the garden has been put to sleep for the winter...it is a peaceful and contemplative time, those few weeks before the holidays begin...oh, and of course pumpkin and squash recipes come out! I had forgotten how much fun it is to cook a big orange pumpkin into mush - and then something really fine like pumpkin cheesecake, or ravioli...the cheesecake I made this week is nothing like a pumpkin pie - just the smooth, rich flavor of the squash, with a bit of maple syrup and gingersnap crust...yum!

Cold already!!

Autumn is starting...

Yesterday was quite a breezy day - lots of early changing leaves, and dogwood nearly finished! It is so pretty to drive and watch the leaves fall; the view at Carter Mountain Orchard today was marvelous! Apples are ready, though my favourite 'Pink Lady' apples won't be in until late October.


I haven't seen the flower beds ever look so lovely this time of year - this is going to be a perfect October. Last season, the leaves were beautiful well into November and it looks like this year we might have much the same. SO much rain this summer (terrible grape season for our vineyard!) has made the trees lush and full - maybe a few hours on Skyline Drive? A tasting at Blenheim - I don't think any vineyard has nicer views...and darn good wine to boot! Gotta love a woman winemaker...

And last - but not least - we finally have our peacocks settled in...a beautiful India Blue named - well, we haven't named him yet. A Blue Pied male called 'Aqua', and a sweet female Cameo named - ok, no name for her yet either. The two turkeys are very happy, and the male is just getting his 'gobble' - I heard it for the first time this morning, and I don't know that I will like it quite so much as the sweet whistle the pair had as young birds. If it is too loud - there will always be next Thanksgiving...