Squatters, Garden Matters, and Tyler, Too

If you follow my blog with any regularity,

you already know that there has been much drama lately

in the chicken coop.

I've written quite often of the escapades of Roosters Number 5

and Number 6

Ever since Number 6 (and not long after that, Number 5) found that there were

"GIRLS!"

living on the other side of the orchard from the Frat House,

they have made their daily treks to be with their French sweetie pies.

Imagine my surprise, however, the other morning when opening up Rod's henhouse

and found that Number 5 and Number 6 had had a sleepover!

And since that night, they have not returned to the Frat House....

not even for a visit.
Yes, Number 5 and Number 6 are squatters!
And Rod's not too happy about it.

I suppose they realize that they have a good thing going on here,

and why risk it?

After all, if their old buddies caught wind of this situation,

it would be Rooster Mayhem all around the barn.

We are now in the midst of my favorite season of the garden.

Most of the summer crops have been harvested and put up.

Fall crops are growing.

Peppers and tomatoes are plentiful.

Each week I prepare more batches of relishes, salsas, and sauces.

The pumpkins are ready for baking projects.

The okra continues to bloom and bear fruit....

as do the tomatillo plants....

The sunflowers are tall and showy.

When they are dry, they will become food for the birds.

The vining plants of the garden walls are in full bloom...

just as I had imagined it would be!

And in one corner of the garden,
the aroma is magnificent....
Grapes!

Hundreds of clusters like this one are filling

the air with the most heavenly scent.

This particular cluster became this....

layers of luscious phylo dough and melted butter,
topped with brown sugar, grapes, and then brushed with melted butter
and topped with more sugar.
Into the oven at 400 degrees for 14 minutes.

Concord grape tart.
Delicious!

While I made this tart,
Amanda made this one with a peach and a plum....

Ooooooh, I am in pastry heaven.
Won't you join me for tea this afternoon?
We'll have tea in the orchard and fill ourselves with heavenly pastry!

And last, but never, ever least....here is this week's photos of Tyler
mixing it up with the pups.

Give Sammy a kiss....

Arghhhhh! Kissed by a dog!

This is one happy little boy!

Have a wonderful weekend....

hopefully you are not in the path of "Irene"!

If so, I wish you safety!