Pausing....

....and remembering those who were affected by the campus shooting in Oregon on Thursday.  Offering prayers for strength and comfort for those who have lost someone they hold dear.

Rabbit, rabbit!

What?!?  What?!?  Where?!?  Where?!?  Yes, that's correct!  This is the first day of October!  Can't be sure where September went.  It certainly seemed to be in a big hurry to get there - wherever it was!

So, we have a brand new month, and here is a recipe for you.  It is for our very favorite cornbread that I featured in the blog several days ago.

The recipe is one that came from Southern Living magazine in the very early 80's.

CORNBREAD

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

1/4 cup canola oil (measure this into the iron skillet, heat it in the oven, then swirl the oil around the
                               skillet to oil the sides before adding the oil to the cornbread batter)

2 cups cornmeal, plain, not self-rising or cornmeal mix
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
     Mix dry ingredients together, then add:
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups buttermilk
     Mix all together, then add hot oil from the iron skillet that has been in the oven.
     Pour batter into skillet, place in the oven, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
     Enjoy!

What better way to welcome October than with a skillet of your favorite freshly baked cornbread?

Still September....

While we are seeing lots of these popping up all over --

....it is still September.  Well, the last day, anyway.:-)

The following pictures show September at our place.  

That knock-out rose bush just keeps blooming!

These grape tomatoes "volunteered" from the compost bin!

The strawberries are still blooming - here....

....and here!

Making a new appearance, though, is this --

I had wanted some Morning Glories, though I fear this one is going to "choke out" other things that are nearby!  

It is still much like late summer here.  How about where you are?

Long enough....

These have plainly been around long enough --

Time to turn them into something much more appetizing!

Skinnytaste will not let me down!

Here they are, just out of the oven!

Perfect for breakfast with homemade applesauce!  Says "Autumn" to me!

Friday's mail....

It was 5:00 before our mail arrived on Friday afternoon.  When I went to the box, it had definitely been worth the wait!  This is what I opened -

This is Susan Branch's new book!  

Do you need to ask me how I spent my week-end?:-)

Check her website - susanbranch.com - for details on ordering your copy!

Autumn in our backyard!

This is not what one expects to see during this season -

It looks like it is "Strawberry Time" in "Big Orange Country!" :-)   

Resources....

Now that Autumn has truly arrived - according to the calendar - there are some dependable resources I turn to for help.

This is an amazing book from one of my favorite people.  It is available on her website - susanbranch.com - and was reissued last year on the 10th anniversary of the first publication.

Also, from the same author, is Vineyard Seasons, and it is in this book that the following is found:

We all have our favorite ways to celebrate this season.  What are your favorite things about Autumn?