October in the Garden

 

 

My condo building is built like a square with a garden in the center. Each of the 3 floors has 4 sides. My front door opens to a walkway on the 4 sides with 2 points of access to the stairs down or up, and one elevator door. I can look sideways at the trees and sky beside the building. 

 

 

 

 

I enjoy having a small garden to greet me every day. Year-round, one of the loyal members of the garden is a peace lily. Remember, I live in central Florida with a semi-tropical climate. For most of my life I lived in south Florida, which is a zone 10, tropical climate.  Peace lilies are often planted in zone 10 shade. Full sun burns peace lilies' leaves.  Here in zone 9, I see them less often as we are exposed to times of freezing temperatures occasionally. I believe being surrounded by the 4 sides of the building helps to protect the plants. Of course, last winter's night of 28 degrees F did kill a tropical plant in this garden. Luckily, the peace lily lost some leaves but survived to come back beautifully.

 

 

 

 I hope you're enjoying October wherever you are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                     

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Pumpkin Pie Spice & Pumpkin Dip For Fall Holidays

 

Many autumn dishes call for pumpkin pie spice. It's really just a simple mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice.  I save a few glass spice jars with lids (wash, air dry) for my inexpensive homemade mixes like this.  Pumpkin Pie spice is easy to make and economical too. Be sure to annually review your herbs and spices for freshness. Although they theoretically don't expire or become unsafe, they do lose flavor, color, and aroma over time. NOTE:  Some pumpkin spice blends sold commercially contain cloves too. I personally do not like cloves. You can add and subtract a spice and change amounts to personal preference.

  

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Use organic when available. Time about 5 minutes Makes 1 cup

Ingredients

• ¼ cup ground cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 4 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice

Instructions

• Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice together in a bowl
• Store in air-tight container with lid
• Label with name & date mixed

  

 

 

 Now for Pumpkin Dip:

 

 

 

 For all your autumn get-togethers, there's nothing like a bowl of pumpkin dip with a tray of apple slices, ginger snaps, graham crackers, pretzels, or even vanilla wafers.   It's so easy to make and will disappear fast. It's also perfect for afterschool snacks or family night in front of the TV. I suggest you place your cream cheese on the counter until it softens before mixing to avoid lumps.

  

Pumpkin Dip for Fall Holidays

Use organic when available. Makes 4 cups or about 32 Servings in 15 minutes!

For smaller amount, half the ingredients.

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup  confectioners' sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Instructions

• Beat confectioners' sugar and cream cheese in a medium serving bowl with an electric mixer until smooth
• Gradually blend in pumpkin
• Add & mix cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla until well blended
• Chill in the refrigerator until served
• Serve with apple slices, ginger snaps, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or pretzels 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Arugula & Fig Salad

 

When fresh figs are in the market, you can make a quick, fig and arugula salad with goat cheese and a simple balsamic dressing. It's fast to make, and quite tasty. 

 

 

 

 This is such an easy, yet elegant salad. The spiciness of the arugula paired with the sweetness of the figs and honey is wonderful, and the balsamic ties it all nicely together! It's a very versatile recipe.

 

 

Arugula & Fig Salad

Use organic when available. Serves 4 

Ingredients

• 4 cups arugula
• 8 fresh figs quartered
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp pine nuts toasted
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine honey and balsamic vinegar
• Whisk until well combined
• Place arugula, figs, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts together in a bowl 
• Drizzle vinegar & honey on salad
• Toss lightly and serve immediately

 

 

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A Florida Fall Front is Coming!

 

 

Matt Devitt Weather, as of 9/23

 

 

Matt Dewitt as of 9/24/26
 

 

FLORIDA FALL FRONT! Cooler mornings and lower humidity are on the way for most of the state as we head into the weekend, especially Sunday. Many will be waking up to lows in the 60s with even a few upper 50s near the FL/GA line...our coolest in months. I Will Enjoy It! Yeah!

 

Facebook

 

 Yes, fall in Florida is still warm to hot with blue skies. Of course it's the rainy season and hurricane season. As of today, there hasn't been a hurricane storm in the Atlantic this year.  This is the longest period without a high level storm since 1914! 

Believe or not, despite the rain this summer, the state of Florida has NOT reached the normal level of inches and is still considered in a drought. According to updates from the U.S. Drought Monitor via Drought.gov, a large portion of the state remains impacted by abnormal dryness and varying levels of drought, ranging from moderate to extreme categories. Central and regional water management districts have reported ongoing aquifer deficits and implemented localized water conservation measures or restrictions. The City of Lakeland has issued water restrictions. We are asked to conserve water.

 Now for some fun:

 

 

 

I saw this for sale on Facebook. I love what it says; I just don't need another sweat shirt. There is only a short window of cool weather in parts of December/January when I can wear it. I need a t shirt with the message.

  

 

Another Facebook Photo

 

I do believe this is an AI graphic. It's adorable, but I've never seen an apple grow like that tail. Have you?

 

 

Photo by Arlene Swinton

 

Photo by Arlene Swinton

 

 

 These amazing photos above of lightening over Sunshine Skyway Bridge are by Arlene Swinton and were shared on Facebook by Matt Devitt, weatherman.

 

 

Now for my photos of dry grass locally for Sky Watch:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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An Early Autumn Table

 

Today I'm sharing an early look at fall decorating here in my coastal home in central Florida.  It's not really looking like fall as most people think of it.  Yes, there are a few decidous trees that lose leaves, but they are not colorful.  September is cooler than August (thank goodness!) and I like to shop my home to bring new looks to rooms. Today I'm sharing a simple vignette of flowers, a bird statue, and a vintage tray.

 

 

 

 The colors are more neutral than the common colors of autumn. Instead of orange, I choose peach roses, a milk glass vase, a turquise bird, and a vintage painted tray with a gold flower painting.  The basis of the table is its cover. What I'm using as a tablecloth is actually a window curtain. When I saw the pale colors of the semi-sheer cloth, I knew it was perfect for my small change from my normal tropical decorations.

 

 

 

 

 The vintage handpainted tray is perfect for the centerpiece. I was so lucky to find it in the thrift store.

 

 

 

 

The turquise bird I bought from Ross for Less several years ago. Besides working in coastal decorations, turquise and brown are my favorite fall decorating colors. In October I'll do a vignette with more typical colors of faux leaves, but the truth is I am not a big fan of orange (unless I'm eating one!).

 

 

 

 

 

 I choose peachy roses for the bouquet. Roses are just about my favorite flower. Yes, I like chrysanthemums, but I couldn't find a lighter color in those.  It's been my experience that roses work in all seasons. 

 

 

 

 I hope you're enjoying September wherever you are. Thanks for the visit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Crunchy Apple Salsa

 

Fruit salsa is easy to make and great party food. From a nutrition standpoint, a fruit salsa is also a much lighter, healthier alternative to usual condiments like cream sauces, barbecue sauce, and sour cream. For fall, I'm sharing a sweet fruit salsa with heat, Crunchy Apple Salsa. Apples combined with onion, pepper, cilantro, and lime juice. If your apples are pesticide free, keep the skin on to keep the pieces fresher and provide a colorful contrast to the purple onion. Besides eating it with tortilla chips, pair it with grilled shrimp or chicken, and fish tacos.

 

Crunchy Apple Salsa

Use organic when available. Serves 8

 

Ingredients

• 2 apples halved, cored, and diced
• 1/2 cup red onion diced
• 1/2 cup Anaheim chili pepper seeded and minced
• 1/2 large red bell pepper seeded and diced
• 1/2 Jalapeño pepper (seeded & minced) (optional)
• 2 limes juiced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (or parsley) chopped
• 1/2 tsp honey
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• In medium size bowl, mix lime juice and honey
• Add apples and stir to coat
• Add onion, bell pepper, cilantro, jalapeño, and Anaheim pepper
• Toss to coat
• Add salt and pepper to taste and stir
• Cover dish and refrigerate for 30 minutes for flavors to blend
• Serve with grilled meat, seafood, or tortilla chips

  

 

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Florida Weather Photos From Facebook

 

Good Morning from Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland, FL Photo by Kacey Terry

 

Today I'm sharing a few beautiful photos shared by Weatherman, Paul Dellegato. 

 

 

Anti-crepuscular rays Photo by Shad Fitz in Lithia, FL

"Above is one of the best examples of anti-crepuscular rays you will ever see! Anti-crepuscular rays are parallel shafts of sunlight from holes in clouds that travel across the sky and converge at the exact opposite direction of setting sun. (The antisolar point). Bonus rainbow too! Photo by Shad Fitz in Lithia, FL."  quote from Paul Dellegado

 

When I see some wonder in the sky, I don't usually understand it. I just love it.  Of course, I rarely catch all the wonderful and strange occurrences, and appreciate weatherman sharing the photos and information. 

 

 Rainy season is also hurricane season. We have had NO hurricanes in the Atlantic so far this season. It is unbelievable. Poor Hawaii has had their version which is called a hurricane, a cyclone, or a tropical cyclone.

We have been having great thunderstorms in the last few weeks usually in the early evenings. The moist air and heat build up over the Gulf in these outrageous temperatures this summer and move inland as a storm in the evening. Saturday night's storm was magnificent and caused a flicker of lost electricity in my home. Below are photos taken in Fort Meyers by JoshFL.

 

 

Photo by JoshFL in Fort Meyers, FL

 

 

Photo by JoshFL in Fort Meyers, FL

 

 

 

 

Photo by JoshFL in Fort Meyers, FL

 

 

 Now a waterspout. When you see one, don't stand and look. GET OUT OF THE WATER!!

 

 

Photo by Kelsey Frost on Indian Rocks Beach, FL.

 

 To close the show, I have 2 cute photos from a friend who always shares positive thoughts on Facebook.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Create your own happiness!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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