A Spooky Walk in the Forest

As Halloween approaches, I thought I’d share a spooky story from my walk in the forest.  (Not really too spooky, just fun.)

moss covered tree roots
A Big Green Hand

I love to walk in the woods with my camera because there is always something interesting to photograph. I went looking for mushrooms this fall and ended up taking pictures of some creepy, crawling tree roots! Trees that have partially fallen over leave many of their roots exposed to create a tangle of wooden arms. The roots appear to be crawling like a big hand, in the photo above.

Is this the hand of a witch, with the fingers dug down in the rocky soil trying to pull herself along the forest floor? Does this thing move when I am not there to see? Just who is it trying to get, and where is it headed?

tangled tree roots in forest
This tree reminded me of a land octopus

Everywhere there were exposed roots.  The many tentacles of this land octopus reach out and try to trip the passerby. What happens if I fall? Will it grab me and pull me into it’s black den made of criss-crossed roots?

black cat in woods
The Witches Black Cat

Then, I came across the most frightening site. A black cat sitting near a dark tangle of tree roots seemed to be watching something inside the black recesses of the roots.  I decided to get out of there before she alerted her master to my presence.

black cat in woods on rock
Reinforcements!

Just when I thought I was home free, another black cat appeared. The first one had brought reinforcements! She sat like a (dark) princess up on top of a rock and watched me navigate the fallen tree bridge.  Luckily I didn’t slip and made it safely across where I found my trail.

I left the spooky forest behind and have only these photos to tell of that disturbing walk in the woods.

Happy Halloween to all!

Visit From a New Hampshire Tree Frog

gray tree frog
Gray Tree Frog

In Florida the bright green tree frogs are everywhere. Until recently I didn’t know that here in New England we also have northern tree frogs.

The gray tree frog has skin that looks like the bark of a tree in fact. A few weeks ago, this little guy sat on the edge of my outside chair for most of the day. The cats ignored him, and he rested on the chair undisturbed. I’m glad I got his (or her) photo.

The colored splotches are so interesting. It would be difficult to spot this frog if he were clinging to lichen covered tree!

This frog photo is my own, but I’ve donated it to Pixabay for anyone to use, so help yourself.

Apple Picking in New Hampshire 2015

girl eating apple in orchard
Apple Picking 2015

It’s that time again, when I head out to the local apple orchard and pick some delicious Macs. Macintosh are my favorite apple, and when they are fresh picked right off the tree they are hard, crisp and juicy.

Norway Hill Orchard is the closest to where I live, so I always go there. This year we discovered that they had trouble getting someone to spray the trees, so the apples were not looking the best. Many of them have black spots, but we were assured that they were just as good eating. And it’s true. The apples are as delicious as ever.

The day was warm for early October, and the sun was shining which made our trip even more fun. My neighbor, my daughter and I each filled the smallest bags they sell, and even enjoyed munching on the fruit while we picked. Eating them is encouraged!

The black spots are surface only blemishes, and I made a lovely apple pie with mine. It’s almost time to go back for more. A new crop of a different variety is coming into season, but I can’t remember what they are. It doesn’t matter. Anything picked off the tree has to be good.

macintosh apples
Macintosh Apples

I found this great site that lists the orchards from around the United States (and other places) and what types of apples they grow. If you are interested check it out at the Orange Pippin link.

Fall Harvest at New Hampshire Farm Stand

Tenney farm stand
Tenney Farms, Antrim New Hampshire

One day recently I took a drive over to Antrim (NH) to get some photos around Gregg Lake. On the way home I had to stop at my favorite farm stand and see what they had to offer. I had my camera, so I decided to take some pictures while I shopped.

Tenney Farm is located on Rt. 202 (Main St. in Antrim) so you can’t miss it if you are driving through the area. When I lived in Antrim, I bought all my perennials there. In fact I still go there to replenish my yard each year as their plants always do well.

But Fall is possibly the best time to visit the farm. When I was there, the ice cream stand was still open, they still had corn for sale. And of course they had pumpkins and squash… lots and lots of squash.

squash and gourds for sale
Just inside the door

I was in a bit of a hurry to get home so I didn’t buy as much as I should have – the peppers were so beautiful. All I can manage to grow is jalepenos, so I should have loaded up from the pepper display where I think they offered every kind imaginable. I didn’t even see the eggplant but I’ll get some when I return there this week.

farm vegetables peppers
The Veggie Display

What amazed me the most was the variety of pumpkins / squash. I bought an acorn, butternut and spaghetti squash and have eaten the acorn which was delicious. I don’t know the names of everything, but I did discover that the flattened pumpkins are called “Cinderella”.

cinderella pumpkins
Cinderella Pumpkins

I read on Tenney’s FaceBook page that their hours are changing for fall, and then they will eventually close for winter. I think they are open until around Thanksgiving, because they sell turkeys.

For now, I am enjoying the squash and the fall harvest.
orange squash farm table