Ten things that happened while we were taking a break from blogging.

1.  Our pineapple lily bloomed.

This is Eucomis 'Oakhurst'.

 

2. We learned that the pepper seeds that Curmudgeon successfully sprouted belong to capsicum pubescens--rocoto or manzano peppers. The seeds came from a pepper bought at the grocery store. Curmudgeon saved them because they were quite unusual--they were black. This variety can grow to 5 feet and can tolerate sub-freezing temps. We had 8 of these perennial pepper trees in the potager. Four have now gone to good homes.

3.  War was declared on whatever has been eating our winter squash. Operation Pantyhose was launched after the destruction seen below.

Unfortunately OP did not deter nor slow down whatever it was--racoon and squirrel were top of our list.

So Curmudgeon escalated to Operation Cayenne Pantyhose. She became a bit obsessed and Wing Nut had to go without cayenne in her kitchen as Curmudgeon would not hand it over.  Early one morning, as she was leaving for work, Wing Nut caught a glimpse of something climbing up the bamboo tomato cage. She thought it was a squirrel, but as she got closer she realized there was no bushy tail. It turned out to be far far worse than we thought--Rats!  Eeeeewwwww!!!!!

4.  We attended the Tilth Harvest Festival.

5.  We participated in a Bat Walk sponsored by Bats Northwest.

6.  We read A Short History of the Honey Bee. And we are now on a quest to find locally made honey.

7.  We put in a fall garden -- lettuces, radishes, arugula, cilantro, mustard greens, beets and carrots.

8.  We visited the Museum of Glass in Tacoma with our friends C&M from Minnesota.

And found an artichoke on the ceiling of the Seafoam Pavillion, which is part of the Dale Chihuly Bridge of Glass.

9. Our crocus sativus popped up and bloomed. Now we understand why saffron is so expensive!

10. Our blog won "Best Blog Name" over on Blotanical.  Thanks everyone!