Rain fell off and on last week, and one drizzly morning these boys came by for a visit. Both males, they strutted around and loudly gobble-gobbled. I threw some sunflower seed hearts out for them.
They were happy as clams to do a bit of hunt and peck.
The goldfinches and a woodpecker got their share in the feeder. There is a titmouse on the back side as well.
The garden is winding down, but the squashes refuse to fully ripen. I’ve moved the leaves around to get more sunlight to them, and I am still waiting. The largest one has been showing just a hint of ripening on the other side, but it is still predominately this green color. It should ripen to a tan color, unless it isn’t what I think it is. I’m going to give it a couple more weeks.
The smaller one looks just the same, as does the third one. I hope the extra sunlight makes a difference.
Jasper came by for a meal, he’s bulking up for winter.
The single hydrangea bloomed in lovely lavendar, my favorite color. I wish the Mountain State Fair still had their gardening and flower competition. This one would have made a fine entry.
Two weeks ago, I had noted that the toad lily did not have any buds. So, I gave it some fertilizer hoping that would help it bloom this year. It seems that was successful, as it is forming buds now. It will bloom late, but it appears that we will get some. I love the cascades of blooms on these perennials.
It’s the beginning of a crazy busy week, starting on Friday with my first visit to the Mountain State Fair. I was excited to participate in the first cooking contest of the week and see some of the exhibits. The biggest thrill of the day was a first place ribbon on Quadrille!
The Sashiko hand embroidered bag won a third place ribbon.
The natural materials centerpiece won a third place ribbon.
Back in the garden, I am still harvesting tomatoes. I did take some of the black cherry tomatoes and saved some seeds from them to donate to the library’s seed program.
Tomatoes were the focus of the first cooking contest of the fair on Friday night. I made a Tricolor Tomato Tian, a variation of a French peasant dish containing sliced vegetables overlapped in a stoneware dish, then baked. I made mine with three colors of tomatoes, yellow onion and garlic. It was served with some crusty bread to soak up the juices, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a bit of added punch. When I have some time, I’ll post the recipe and the tutorial. I was excited to win third place.
The fair continues through next weekend. I worked a shift in the log cabin yesterday in the quilt guild’s booth, selling tickets to our Opportunity Quilt, and showing kids how to sew on two Featherweight machines. The next cooking contest is this afternoon, Classic Comfort Food by the Beef Cattleman’s Council. So, I’m cooking again today, and will report on more of my exhibition competitions later in the week. I haven’t found all my entries yet, LOL! Busy week coming up!!
From My Carolina Home 
So happy for you. I enjoy hearing and seeing your happiness and success.
Congratulations!!!!
Wonderful!!! Enjoy the days of the fair!
Your Tricolor Tomato Tian looks delicious! Congratulations on the 3rd place ribbon and on all your ribbons for your other creations. Looks like another successful year at the fair for you!
I would have exhibited that gorgeous flower all by itself: bud vase, hand drawn “First Place” sign & a big ribbon! Everyone who spotted it could appreciate it & would put a smile on their face. Congratulations!
Congratulations on your wins, especially Quadrille! It’s a “PW” – Proven Winner pattern. Speaking of your mystery quilts, Pachanga has matriculated- she’s off to college with my grandniece. It was an honor to see her resting in the dorm after a hectic move in day.
Congratulations. 🎊
Congrats on your ribbons. You are having so much fun! I would love to try some of that food. I hope to start on a few doll quilts today.
Congratulations on all your ribbons. SD Pachanga is a beautiful design and your quilting enhanced it very well. Good luck today.
Congratulations on all your wins !!! That is fantastic. You are such a busy gal. But a question for you. How often are you having to fill your bird feeder ? We tried putting seed in ours and it was gone in a day. That ends up becoming extremely expensive to feed these beautiful birds. We have been keeping up with the hummingbird feeder though. We are in a hummingbird capital here in Arizona.
congratulations on your ribbons! the squash looks good and maybe it is ripe? sometimes they get seeds mixed up. Last year I had planted squash and none of them would ripen I guess they were not in a good spot but it happened two years in a row – I gave up
I love that the turkeys come right up to your yard like that! Congratulations on the ribbon for Quadrille – it’s such a beautiful design. The fair sounds like it has been fun!
Congratulations on your ribbons. Your hard work was appreciated!
Congratulations on your ribbons and especially the one for Quadrille. I enjoy living vicariously through your fair entries as there is not a local fair for me. I am planning to get into the Quadrille as soon as my Christmas gift sewing is finished.
Congratulations on your ribbons, especially for the Quadrille. It is a beautiful pattern and I thank you for sharing it with us.
Congrats on the ribbons Carole, well done!
Congratulations on your ribbons! You get a blue ribbon from me for being a wonderful teacher and source of inspiration. Thank you.
BTW, your fair needs to get splashier ribbons for its quilts. Something that can spice up a crazy quilt comes to mind.
Good Luck on all your entries, Carole!
Congrats on all your ribbons. Always fun to get some accolades! I’ll be watching for the recipe for the Tomato Tian!
Congratulations on being awarded the blue ribbon for the Quadrille. It’s a beautiful design. I also loved your simple centerpiece. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your entries next week.
Thrilled for you and a blue ribbon on Quadrille, and to think so many of us have this pattern in our homes. Congratulations on all of your wins 🏆 you do inspire many of us.
Congratulations! Your quilt is indeed lovely. It is a nice pattern and you did a beautiful job with it. Can’t get enough of your “wild life” – wild turkeys! Oh My! Had to look up Toad Lily, I’m going to look for them for next year. Thanks for all the wonderful photos!
Congrats on your ribbons. Great job. Busy week for you.
Congratulations on your ribbons. Best of luck in the cooking entries.
Congratulations on your good showing at the fair! Your hard work and talent were rewarded.
I’m looking forward to reading about what you make for the Classic Comfort food category. Good luck!
Congratulations on all of your ribbons. It is exciting to see the blue one handing on Quadrille.
What fun to be at the fair, have entries AND ribbons! Congratulations and hope you enjoy the rest of your time there!
Well done Carole!! You are such a good supporter! :))
Congratulations on the first place on Quadrille and in the cooking category. Do you cook at the fair or at home and take it in??
Congratulations on your ribbons and have fun as the fair continues!
Congratulations on your ribbons! Also, football is back! Eagles barely won yesterday. They were RUSTY…..or, they are going to be unreliable this year.
Congrats on the fair winnings!! super cool!!!
the turkeys – what fun to see thme!!!
Congratulations on all the ribbons! No surprise on Quadrille, in my opinion. Good luck next week as well. Good to see Jasper fattening up for Fall
Congratulations on all of the awards. So wonderful that Quadrille won , and first place at that. I am still finishing my own Quadrille quilt.
I’m not surprised you are bringing home the ribbons — and more to come this week, I know. (Quadrille — just fabulous!) Congratulations!
Congratulations on your ribbons! Can you share what you do to save tomato seeds? I’ve read about soaking them, but I’d be afraid of them germinating in water.