Visitors

 We had a great time camping.  We got back Monday late afternoon, and started the process of unpacking, laundry, etc.  So it was a nice surprise to have visitors on Tuesday morning:

The kids spent all morning playing with them.  They are super friendly.  I finally found out that they belong to the neighbors across the street.  That family is on vacation, so I think the kittens heard my kids playing here and wanted some fun.

They have enjoyed visiting.  They were already back this morning.  The kids made cat toys with sticks, string, and old socks, and the kittens just loved them.  Our cats have never been interested in toys, so this was a treat for the kids.  Our cats are not so sure about these kittens.  Midnight tends to hide from them.  Panther was trying to scare them off, but when he saw Nathaniel pet one, he seemed resigned to letting them hang out in the yard.  So he went off and hunted a chipmunk and has came into the house for lots of cuddles.  

All Dressed Up

 

Homecoming Dance is tonight, and this guy is ready!  

New Glasses

 Gyunay was very happy to get to pick up his new glasses today.  He's been waiting eagerly for 2 weeks.  He picked out the frames himself, after careful deliberation, and his transitions lenses even turn bluish in the sun.  He's a very happy boy!

Still Growing

 

As you can see, the gourds are getting crazy long.  These are trying to invade Mary's territory.  Lydia has harvested a few and set them on the porch to dry.  The ones on the ground curl, but these growing vertically just grow straight and very, very long.  I'm surprised that the weight hasn't crashed one yet.  

September Harvest Totals

 Beans, dragon tongue - 1.7 lbs

Beans, golden crescent - 3.5 lbs

Beans, KY blue - 3.5 oz

Beans, provider - 3.4 lbs

Cantaloupe - 1

Carrots - 4

Cucumbers, Edmondson - 4

Eggs - 225

Peppers, red - 3

Peppers, yellow - 1

Tomatillos - 7.6 oz

Tomatoes, Better Boy - (18)  6.5 lbs

Tomatoes, Black Krim - (9)    3.9 lbs

Tomatoes, German Pink - (6)    2.3 lbs

Tomatoes, Orange - (7)   2 lbs

Tomatoes, Saint Pierre (13)    4.2 lbs

Tomatoes, San Marzano (14)   1.8lbs

Yellow Squash - 3

Watermelon - 1

Plus, cherry tomomatoes, mint, sage, oregano, chives, dill, basil, and thyme

Total beans - 8.8 lbs

Total tomatoes - 20.7 lbs

As you can guess, we ate a lot of beans this month!  I also made mint jelly, which has made several kids very happy.  I hope my mint plants have enough leaves for another batch.

Lydia

 

This young lady has grown up fast.  She is very happy with this outfit, as it represents her style.  I am apparently too old and out of it to comprehend such things as style, per my very opinionated daughter.  She would prefer blue or green to the purple, but she wears the purple shirt a lot, so I think it's still on the "good" list, although black is the overall preferred color. 

She continues to think that the cats need to show off on photo shoots, so here is Panther, once again dressed up.

Snake Gourd Takes Over the World

 

In the cottage garden, the lollypop zinnias are doing great.

The pineapple sage is starting to bloom.

And the snake gourd is taking over the world:

It is growing up the house, over the front porch, and down to the driveway.

There are lots of gourds growing.  It has been fun to see it take over.  This is just one plant!  I don't think we will grow it again, but it has been worth it for this year.