The Colors of Now

November 10, 2011. I made a fresh green salad from the garden.

Despite the several frosty mornings we have had, our greens are still thriving out in the open air. I was told that these greens are cold-loving, but I didn't realize that they would this sturdy. Not a single frost bite on these delicate leaves!



We have Tat soi, Tatsuma, spinach, arugula, and some baby lettuces in the garden. I had a grandiose idea of creating a low tunnel so that we could grow them deep into the winter this year... but there they are, still exposed to the real world of unpredictable temperatures of central Ohio.



We are really heading into the cold season now (I think), and soon these hardy plants will give up the fight, too.



It's been lovely to have the vibrant greens with the warm autumn hues, to rely on our own garden for the salads and toppings on soups and chilis.



But perhaps more importantly, they have been good for the soul, inside and out.

The hunt for tadpoles

Because we don't have enough pets around here, we felt a need to add a couple more living things to the mix. Tadpoles. Bullfrog tadpoles, to be precise.



The hunt was not really a hunt - that would be a dis-service to the description of what a real hunt should be. This was more like a quick find, and a quick scoop, and there we are, two tadpoles to bring home.



They are only spending a couple of nights with us, don't worry. We have tried to 'raise' tadpoles before (according to the in-house naturalist), back in Boston when we lived in an apartment, no less. We (umm...I) even boiled some lettuce as per the instructions of the said naturalist. Supposed to be good food for the little critters. Hmmm...wonder if it was the wrong kind of lettuce...



But it was a beautiful day, at the beautiful Franklin Park Conservatory. The kids were joyous and fulfilled. What else could you ask for?

Fleeting

Before I left the house to drop the kids off this morning, I strapped on my camera. Not something I do everyday, just so you know (the camera part, not the kids part).



We walked to school as normal, although we did have to jump around puddles here and there, as a result of some continuous rain the last couple of days.



After the farewell, the pecks on the still chubby cheeks, the daily yes-I-will-pick-you-up-after-school promise, I strode along the quintessential small town American street during the peek of autumn.



A new friend, a new resident in town in fact, walked by with her own child. What's with the camera? She inquired. (Should I tell her about this blog?)



I feel like fall is slipping away, I said. I wanted to remember today.

Falling for fall

THAT was a beautiful weekend!

Indian Summer

It's Indian Summer here in Central Ohio. Warm days, cool nights. Feel exactly like our old home's perfect climate. The difference is, this is an anomaly. It will go away, and won't return again for months.

We are enjoying the most of it! Right side up, or upside-down!

Still some colors

I know that the time is coming.

It's the time of year, in this part of the world, when the only colors I see in my photographs are that of my children's winter jackets. I remember this from a few years ago living in Boston. I remember needing more life, more colors, more of something other than grey and leafless branches.

Columbus is going to be just like that. So I am taking in what is left, surprised that some hardy plants are still producing vivid colors even though the leaves around them are dropping every second.

I might just need to get a greenhouse, or go live at the Conservatory, or go home to Thailand for the next 6 months. Or... I know, I can just take it all in now, and live the moment.

Falling for fall

It's been gloriously beautiful around here. Fall has been good to us. The colors, the cool nights and warm days, the crunchy leaves and earthly smells.

Today, though, the winds came as did a lot of rain, and even some tornado warnings. I suspect that we will have a lot less leaves on the trees tomorrow.

It's quite alright, actually. I am ready for it. These distinct seasons help remind me to live life simply, one moment at a time.

Pumpkin Seeds

So, is everybody roasting pumpkin seeds right now?

The great thing about having young children is that their enthusiasm about something that happens every year seems to still excite them. In fact, it seems that even if it's something that happened last week, they would be excited about doing again.


Take pumpkin picking. Or pumpkin carving.


And what to do with all the pumpkin seeds left over from all these activities? Besides saving some for next year's planting, we roasted them with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. The fragrant of roasted pumpkin seeds uncannily resembles popcorn. Be sure to stay right by the oven as they seem to roast quickly.


I hope your home is filled with as many pumpkin seeds as ours.

Organic Apples in the heart of Ohio!

We are 50lbs richer with organic apples from Charlie's Apple Orchard! You can read more about our day and the orchard here!