I am really getting into decorating for Autumn/Halloween this year. Which is kind of crazy because we never have any trick or treaters and usually turn out the lights and go to a friends house and watch the parade of neighborhood kids. Maybe it is because I love the bright orange colors of pumpkins in the landscape as the flowers start to fade. Today these Ghost lights went up over a mirror to help brighten the early evening.

When I was growing up, all someone would have to say was "let's drip bacon this weekend" and the grown-ups would go into ACTION. Someone would go into the Hungarian neighborhood and buy jowl bacon and European style bread and someone else would harvest fresh tomatoes, onions and green pepper(okay and maybe a Hungarian hot pepper or two) and do a lot of intense chopping. THEN the assortment of custom made utensils would start appearing----a grill that the master welder assembled, divided dishes for the veggies and-------each person would have their favorite turning fork! When everything was ready-----the assembly line of relatives took action! The men would spear the jowl bacon on the fork and turn it until the grease started to "run" and only then would they drip it over the fresh bread. The women would "dress" the bread with a layer of tomatoes, onions and peppers and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. And then if your arteries hadn't enough cholesterol--more bacon grease would be dripped on top. And then eaten out of hand!! You are laughing and shaking your head. It is kind of like bruschetta but bigger and unhealthier!! But so good. What is remarkable is that this started in "the old country" as a way for the shepherds to have a nightly meal, using a campfire and a wooden fork and this tradition was brought to our country by my immigrating ancestors---and other Hungarian immigrants throughout the country. Now that our parents generation have died, this summer tradition only appears every now and then. Last week we got together with my mom's relatives and cousins and ----yup, you guessed it. We dripped bacon---or in Hungarian it is Shutny Szallona--only I don't know if that is the correct spelling! We all laughed and scoffed at the unhealthiness of it but we sure scarfed it up and loved every minute of it.

I've always been blessed with great neighbors---no matter where I have lived. I feel sorry for those who don't have a good rapport or even know who their neighbors are! We share our garden's surplus or a jar of jam and even muffins made from garden ingredients like zucchini! Today I hit the jackpot---butternut squash from one of those kindly neighbors!

Magglio is having a difficult time with seasonal allergies. Scratch, sneeze, itch and no appetite. Finally----and maybe it has something to do with him keeping us awake at nite---we gave him a dose of Benadryl as our pet store recommended. He is now doing a lot of sleeping during the day---but then again, he always does a lot of sleeping during the day. And don't be concerned about sleeping in the sun---he moved to the shade after the pic.

Transitions

Is it early Autumn or Late Summer? The accessories of the new season are starting to appear alongside the outgoing blooms of Summer. Notice the pumpkin---are you starting to see a trend here?

I usually don't like to see the billboard type signs in front of Churches---but I kind of liked this one. I passed it on the way home from the Farmer's Market early this morning and it set the tone for my day!

And so it begins!

The first pumpkin dessert of the season has been baked---and tasted. Pumpkin cookies from the giant can of pumpkin. And 5 more cups of pumpkin in the freezer to go. I am on a (pumpkin) roll---sorry I couldn't resist the corny joke.

This bridge has intrigued me ever since our visit to Sault Ste Marie in the UP. It is a railroad bridge over the St Mary's river and is in direct line to the locks and the heavy lake freighter traffic. So twice a day the upper portion of the bridge with the railroad trestle has to be lowered and locked in place for the train to rumble over it---and then raised up and out of the way for the lake freighter traffic. And, of course, there has to be a bridge tender. So to get to his job, the bridge tender parks his car on one side of the river and takes an elevater waaay up to the open air catwalk and walks over the St. Mary's river---and then back again at the end of the day(and we aren't even talking about lunch time). Since the locks are operational until mid January(the ice cutter keeps the river navigable) and the UP is notable for frigid, blizzard weather---those winer walks are quite treacherous.

Giant Pumpkin--can

I am pleased to report I think I have the last can of pumpkin in our tri-state area. And it is a GIANT can---6 lbs worth. My local grocer told me there wasn't a can to be found in Ohio, and my Indiana contact told me his shelves were empty. So a coworker called her 86 year old Mom in Monroe Michigan who went to her Mom and Pop carry out and they found 2 HUGE cans in stock. The last 2 cans in the state of Michigan---probably! This is all due to last year's drought year and miserable pumpkin crop. So if you want pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, you may have to stop over to my house. Unless you want to pick up 4 cans for $36 on Ebay!

Autumn Friday nites in Ohio means one thing----high school football! And we gathered the troops and descended on the lovely town of Oak Harbor Ohio to watch our nephew. The temp was pleasantly cool and we took it all in--marching bands, good company and-----a commanding win. And at the end----the conquering hero surrounded by his adoring fans!

Awhile back I needed a quick, yet really good recipe and I stumbled across this blog--http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/. Not only did I find a quick yet really good recipe, I found one of my favorite blogs. We were going to an outdoor jazz concert and were taking a picnic supper and I wanted to make something a little different for dessert---and also I was short on time. I found a Lemon Cornmeal Shortbread that I have made ---quite a few times since. And then there was the Blueberry Cake that was featured on Father's Day that is now the only Blueberry Cake recipe in my file. And then-------I entered a contest on the blog and I won!! I have never won anything and now on one of my favorite blogs, I won a Lemon Kitchen Timer! Read for yourself on blog linked above you will see my name listed. Today, after a long day at work, I came home to find a box on the porch and inside---all wrapped up in the sweetest paper and bow---was my timer. I am a fiend for lemon anything so I think the timer and I were meant for each other. Be sure to check out the blog. Gorgeous photos and delicious recipes---see for yourself. http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/

This is my Mom, Irene Laverne Kinsey, nee Toth----or Reenie as her high school friends called her. Miss Clay High School of 1938 as she represented her school in the Strawberry Blossom Festival. She was my hero and would have been 90 years old yesterday. Although she mentioned being Miss Clay High it was only after her death we found this precious photo and the Miss Clay High School banner tucked away in a trunk of high school memories. Here's to Miss Clay High of 1938---she was quite a gal!!

In 1962 this monument was placed on the battle site of the late 18th century Battle of Fallen Timbers in Maumee Ohio. About 10 years ago, it was discovered that the actual battle was up the road a bit----at the site of a planned mall. We visited both sites today on a bicycle trip. And also the Fallen Timbers Mall for ice cream.

They say we are having an exceptional year for butterflies. And they are everywhere---all species and all kinds. They are making life very interesting for anyone who has a camera! Hope they stay around for awhile.