Mustard Month

I took a golf car ride to my friend's home on the top of a hill. The Goldenrod was in full bloom and EVERYWHERE! I love that mustard color!

The main purpose for the ride was to see the tree he told me about and to try to identify the variety of pear it grew. I was very surprised to see most of the leaves already down and the multitude of pears hanging on the barren branches. When I picked two off they didn't come easily so I guess they are not ready yet. My research after returning home has me inclining to believe they are "Bosc." From other internet information I think they may soften on my counter. They are small, HARD, and brownish.

Here is the tree. There is only one.

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Here is the clearest information I could find. I sure hope it applies to these. 

• "Pears come to harvest from midsummer to mid-autumn, depending on the variety.
• A pear is ready for harvest when it reaches mature size and the green color lightens but the fruit is still hard. The stem of the fruit will part readily from the spur when you lift up on the fruit with a slight twist. If the stem does not snap on its own, wait a couple of days and try again.
• The fruit will ripen off the tree in a cool place. Pears that fully ripen on the tree can have a grainy texture.
• Store pears at high humidity and temperatures near freezing. The length of storage varies with the cultivar, but some pears will store for up to three months. Remove the fruit from storage and ripen it before you eat it.
• Winter pears which are hard when they fall from the tree will soften in storage."

 

 

 

Signs of Autumn!

On one of my rides out and about this morning look at what I saw! It's just around the bend. Oh well, I knew it was coming.

I was wearing a light jacket because the temperature this morning at 7am was 44°!

The Goldenrod is especially pretty. Did you know that it is an edible plant?

Edible parts: All aerial parts of the plant can be used. The flowers are edible and make attractive garnishes on salads. Flowers and leaves (fresh or dried) are used to make tea. Leaves can be cooked like spinach or added to soups, stews or casseroles. Leaves can be blanched and frozen for later use in soups, stews, or stir fry throughout the winter or spring.

The above information came from the internet. Check the link below for more.

And my peach leather rollups came out GREAT! It was made of 4 cups of pure puree (no skins) with one tablespoon of honey added. It took a total of 16 hours at low temperature and I cut it into 8 sections and rolled each between plastic strips. We already ate part of one.

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Edible Goldenrod Link 

Fields of Gold and More

We made our weekly 16 mile trip out to the farm market for more corn. On the drive I saw many fields all aglow with beautiful Goldenrod. The Mister said he’d try to find a driveway or road to pull off so I could take some pictures for my Photo Phrenzy! 

A gray gravely drive was the one he chose. It had a gate after going a few feet, but it was a safe place for me to get out and do my thing. So I did.

 

I walked up and took several pictures. Then I became bolder and slipped through the gate that was supposed to be kept locked at all times. There wasn’t a soul around, so off I went. 

 

He, of course, stayed in the car fiddling with the radio I presume. When I was walking I kept seeing several 6 inch long dark piles with many seeds every few yards.  

Black bear scat with fruit seeds

I thought I knew what the piles were so I hightailed outta there! (After taking the above pictures, of course.)

 I read all about the scoop on poop when we returned and think I could have been in danger!!  Nah! He must have had a bad tummy ache and wouldn't have been hungry for me.  Anyway, the next time I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.

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