Autumn harvest icons

We're still in autumn mode here in Prescott, though there are only a few more days that I would be entitled to post these pictures. As the years have gone by, I've noted increasing emphasis on farm produce that is symbolic and/or decorative rather than edible. Or, at least the current use is symbolic. I'm pretty sure that, in a pinch, a good cook could make a decent pie from those baby pumpkins and that the decorative Indian corn could be ground into a meal suitable for muffins, fry bread or porridge.

On the other hand, I don't know about all those cute gourds. I think they serve better as a centerpiece than hollowed and dried to use dipping water from a spring. Too dang small. Still, a music group might like them fashioned into colorful rattles for the rhythm section. All very authentic, you know.

(Above) among the more unusual gourds spotted at a Prescott Farmer's Market this fall...and among the more usual (below).

Also making an appearance in the market this week -- brightly polished pomegranates. This fruit from ancient times is enjoying a mini boom, thanks to the food faddists having recently discovered some new magical nutritional value. My own memory of pomegranates from childhood is that because of the seeds, they are frustrating to eat (though tasty) and that my mother hated the stains on my clothes.

Linkage: Those of you with a divine itch that requires a luxurious scratching will empathize with (and envy) the little owl in this YouTube video. And here's another video for those of you who love old cars. And don't overlook the Moscow Cat Circus.

The Albertson goodie stands

It's been over two years since I posted the "recipe" for GrannyJ's Famous Trail Mix, which is often my quick but reasonably nutritious lunch. Basically, any kind of dried fruit plus sunflower seeds and nuts. Tho I still buy dried fruit at Costco, Albertson's has bought my loyalty with its two goodie snack stands. These two racks are loaded up with a big variety of nuts, seeds, dried fruit plus fancy candied nuts suitable for my Monday afternoon Scrabble game with friend Patty.

All in generic-type packaging. Here's what I bought yesterday. Boy! How long has it been since I've seen Boston Baked Beans -- those are memory food, guaranteed to make me think of at least one 7-letter word. (Hah! If only!) Prices aren't bad, either.

Christmas Victoriana

This is the third year that Cookie Brinkmeyer and friends have organized a Victorian Christmas boutique to end all boutiques. Next Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 13, 14, 15) in the beautiful old Victorian house at the corner of Park and Gurley. To give you an idea of the kinds of goodies, almost all of them handmade, that will be on sale, here are pictures from the 2008 boutique. Lots of stuff there I'd like to have!

Old fashioned tree ornaments...

...plush, posh pumpkins for seasonal fall color...

...and a reminder of our other favorite American holiday, Thanksgiving.

I think the gents are supposed to be Thanksgiving pilgrims, but I find they look remarkably like Snoopy.

Looking for a gift? How about classic and simple wooden vehicles for a boy child...

...and dolls for the girls, if you're willing to give them away. Personally, I like the cat in its fancy dress, although that sulky rag doll suffering from an excess of ennui also gets my vote.

More primitives for the collector. And how about those cute little bats!

Jewelry and seasonal bags.

A fine selection of hot pads (above) and a basket full of smiley heads (below -- they might be sachets, for all I know!) Also there will be fresh baked goods (my kind of goodie), fleece blankets, sachets, decorative pillows, as well as a master knife maker who will demonstrate his craft.

One of the charities supported by the boutique is the Citizens Cemetery restoration.

Did I happen to mention that this is your chance to get a look at the inside of the historic Brinkmeyer home (above)? That, by itself, is worth the visit to the boutique.

Since 1920...

Well, actually, it was a general store -- groceries and mining supplies -- long before it became a must-stop-at cafe and saloon on the road north from Phoenix. The web site for the Rock Springs Cafe explains that Rock Springs, a couple of miles north from Black Canyon City, became a stage stop back in 18-aught-84 and that the store began operation under a canvas roof in 1920. The main structure, which included 6 hotel rooms, was completed in 1924.

Arizona-style tschotckes are sold at this side stand.

Love those classic covered sidewalks found in the old west; it's one way to guarantee shade in the hot desert. And how about that classic coin-op motor car (below)...


Inside -- dark wood (of course) ...

... and the ever-present rack.

Of course, what the Sson and I had come for was a piece of pie; we were on our way back to Prescott from The Valley. All out of rhubarb, so I settled for a yummy lemon meringue; as usual, he chose the Jack Daniels pecan pie. For a complete list of pies, go here.

Down by the old mill stream....

...not in a Prescott area stream. In fact, a mill hereabouts would describe an old machinery-heavy set-up for grinding ore from the mines; no water needed. In any event, pictured, the slow-moving water behind the little dam near old 89A. It makes a lovely commentary on autumn in warm country.

Love that contrast between the fall leaves floating in the middle of the stream and the lush green grasses rooted in the wet earth on both sides of the water.

Peter, Peter pumpkin eater...

Okay, so I said that I'd had it with Halloween. No more, I said. However, reviewing my picture folder I came across this unique approach to the classic Jack O'Lantern. Wow! How barbaric can you get? Peter, Peter pumpkin eater indeed! So Peter was a cannibal all those years (though the nannies always protected me from that knowledge.) Who'd ever have guessed it.

When old highways die

Ther is something very sad and lonely about roadways that have been decommissioned. Northern Arizona is full of bits and pieces of old Route 66 and older SR89, if you are on the lookout for them. And they are accessible, being on federal and state land. Not so this old section of 89A recently replaced by a spiffy new 4-lane speedway between Prescott north and Prescott Valley. It's scheduled to become a part of a huge real estate subdivision one of these days when the market picks up again. And it's locked off. Twice.

Yes, that is the old railroad crossing, now the Peavine Trail, which means that if you walk long enough you can access the old road. Of course, you'd be trespassing.

What always shocks me is just how quickly the grass takes hold in abandoned asphalt. That white stripe is still pretty dang clean and yet the forces of nature and life are already breaking up the pavement, which gets other visitors, as well (below).

Really old, original road markers (above) and fairly new ones (below) are still in evidence out old 89A.

There are even remains of older roads (above). The two-track is strictly local, but the heavy cut is part of old Rte. 79, the earlier Prescott-Jerome highway, built when, of the two towns, Jerome was by every measure the more important and larger. Below, the latest version of 89A is visible in the distance.

The old road passed closer to our local volcano (Glassford Hill). Is that a blowout on the side of the mountain; I'd never noticed it before. And it offered a terrific view of Granite Mountain as you headed into Prescott.
Way lonely, right? This is the picture from my neighbor that piqued my interest in revisiting the old highway.

Heading downhill toward the Dells, the railroad crossing is barely visible in the background. Below, the road curves as it approaches the bridge across Granite Creek in the Dells. But travelling this section is a no-no, blocked completely off. Too bad.

There are times I really hate change!

Prescott Scenes: Foolsewoode and Jarart both photographed El Dia de Los Muertes; Tombo has found another of those low-key critter graffiti works, this one a squirrel; PrescottStyle is all about the great zombie celebration; an out-of-town grandmother took pictures on Mt. Vernon Street Halloween night, and Catalyst collected costumery on WhiskeyRow the same night.

White hands

The hands of the human easel provide a neat counterpoint to the hand in the art work. Couldn't help catching my eye at the Prescott College art auction Saturday night.