Everything is finished here in west Michigan. Hubby used the leaf blower about a dozen times. The last of the red raspberries were picked. Had some late romaine (baby)in a planter on the patio with a plastic plank over it. Last harvest.
Put our first suet cake out for the birds. Hubby cut back asparagus yesterday. Yesterday was really the nicest last day, from here on out looks like the 30's and even the high 20's. They are saying snow here on Tuesday.
As far as gardened made gifts, this is a good one I came up with years ago. We have lots of dried cayenne peppers. I pierce then with a toothpick a few times and use long twist ties to make a couple of lengths to hang to dry. When dry put in a jar like this or nicer yet one of those oil skinny necked one. Jam in as many as you can. Fill with a good light oil, I usually use Bertolli's extra light. Leave out for a few days, the oil will turn a dark pink. Great to use in a frypan when searing any kind of meat, a few drops to make an omelet, anything you can think of really, stir frys, etc. You can always use the peppers afterwards I suppose. I never have as we have so many each year.
I have even made a sprig of a dozen or so peppers with evergreen and twine to make a package decoration. Lots of bluebirds hanging around eating fall berries.
