So, I got those zinnias I wanted… Aren’t they pretty? I went to Hillview Farms yesterday, wandered into their little shop, and was told that they didn’t have any flowers already cut. I got a pair of scissors and a bushel basket and hiked out to the field to cut my own. I was kicking myself for not bringing the camera along – I saw so many beautiful butterflies, and a tiny furry creature that may have been a baby mouse, or possibly a baby rabbit. It was tiny, dark gray, and sitting outside of its hole. Cute little thing, and it didn’t even think to run away when I got close.
The flowers look so pretty on my coffee table. Zinnias are kind of a tradition for me. Years ago, when I worked at GAF, I would often stop on my way home in late summer/early fall, and buy a bunch like these. There was one lady who sold them at her house – you pulled in the driveway, beeped the horn, and she’d come out and sell you a small bouquet for $5. If I took a different route home, past a small farm, there used to be a cart out on the lawn where they’d have self-serve flowers. You could take a bunch and leave $5 in the box. I haven’t had a job to drive home from in 7 years, and so there haven’t been many spur-of-the-moment late summer bouquets around the house during that time, and I’ve missed them!
I also picked up a basket of apples while I was at the farm yesterday. It’s just not September without apples! I was told these are Honeycrisps, which is a new variety that’s pretty much got it all – sweet, tart, crispy, juicy, good for eating, good for baking – everything! After that endorsement, I couldn’t wait to try them, and I ate one on my way home. They were everything the apple lady said they were. Well, except “good for baking”- I have yet to test that claim, but I will, and I’m sure they’ll pass! I just need to figure out what to make with them. There’s always the old Apple Crisp standby, which I love, but it might not be the best thing for my waistline right now
So, anyway, between the zinnias, the apples, and the swap, it’s looking like summer is fading fast around here. The boys start school next week, and already the early mornings and late nights have been sweater-worthy. My feet, which are up on my desk right now, barefoot, are feeling a little chilly as we speak. Oh, poor toes, the day is coming when you will be confined to socks. Enjoy your freedom now, little ones, and when the time comes to envelop you in warmth, I promise to do my best to find you soft and pretty clothes. You deserve better than white tube socks with holes in the heels.
Remember if you get too many apples (it can happen), you can chop up six or eight, throw them in the crockpot with some raisins, craisins, dates, ginger, pears, cherries, whatever you’ve got sitting around, and barely cover with some diluted juice (any kind–dilute citrus more, though). Maybe a touch of honey or molasses, if the apples are very tart. A few hours later, you’ve got something very yummy for dessert, topped with ice cream (go for it). Or top it with granola and walnuts for breakfast.
Wish it was sweater weather here. We’re having a rare sweaty day at the beach….
Neil seems to think that recipe sounds horrible, but I’m willing to try it – particularly with ginger and maybe some raisins. Mmmm!
[edited to add: Neil hates raisins and any other dried fruit, and that’s why it sounds bad to him. I don’t have that problem, LOL!]
66 degrees here right now, but it’s only 9:30. I think we’re going back to 80 degree days all week. I can live with that. I’m not sure I’m *completely* ready to let go of summer just yet.
Honey Crisp are THE BEST apples ever, but around here they are only available such a short time (but they store fantastically long). They aren’t even “here yet”, I’ll have to keep looking, now though, since you mentioned having some. Enjoy. Sue C
I’m enjoying them. I made baked apples for breakfast this morning. Yum. Do you store your apples any particular way to help them keep? I tend to just put mine in the fridge and they do well for some time, but if you have a secret to better longevity, I’d love to know it!
[…] time, and there’s nothing like leaving it to the last minute, eh? You may recall me mentioning the Sweet & Sinister Swap? Well, the box is due to be mailed tomorrow. Want to see what […]
[…] I went to the farm. I was looking for zinnias and honeycrisp apples like last year, but there were no apples to be had. It was disappointing, but I did manage to come home with […]