As The Leaf Turns

So it's not really fall just yet. However, I came across this leaf while walking around RPI the other day. There are a few trees that are slowly turning, but the majority are still green and will stay that way for a few more weeks. Peak fall foliage will probably happen near mid-October.

Fruits (and Vegetables) of our labor

Today was a big day for the garden. The last of the cherry tomatoes were picked and many of the big boy tomatoes were starting to turn red. There are a few small eggplant left (4) and some small bell peppers (6). As the season begins to end, we are seeing less and less produce on the plants that are left. Enjoy it while it lasts cause in January and February you will be hoping for days like these.

Everyone enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

Bathroom at work

I found this in the bathroom at work. If you can't read the sign it says "PLEASE AIM FOR THE BIG WHITE THING".

I would like my camera back

This is what happens when your camera falls into the wrong hands. Giant fingers come and take it back!

First Eggplant

As the growing season begins to wind down, we are finally seeing our first eggplant. We also pulled some of our first bell peppers (we have ~5) and are starting to see our large tomatoes begin to turn. The sunflower we have also started to bloom and open up within the past few days. A sunflower update is currently in progress.

No Biking!

Qualifiers are over.

Better pictures on the way in the coming week.....I hope.

Vanishing Point

Life on a train leads only one way.

There are only two things that money can't buy...

...that's true love and homegrown tomatoes. These words spoken by Guy Clark ring true when you bite into these tomatoes. Recently all the cherry tomatoes have been turning which means more tomatoes for salads! I'll just let the words speak for themself.
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Ain't nothin' in the world that I like better
Than bacon and lettuce and homegrown tomatoes
Up in the mornin' out in the garden

Get you a ripe one don't get a hard one
Plant 'em in the spring eat 'em in the summer
All winter with out 'em's a culinary bummer
I forget all about the sweatin' and diggin'
Everytime I go out and pick me a big one

Homegrown tomatoes homegrown tomatoes
What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes
Only two things that money can't buy
That's true love and homegrown tomatoes

You can go out to eat and that's for sure
But it's nothin' a homegrown tomato won't cure
Put 'em in a salad, put 'em in a stew
You can make your very own tomato juice
Eat 'em with eggs, eat 'em with gravy
Eat 'em with beans, pinto or navy
Put 'em on the side, put 'em in the middle
Put a homegrown tomato on a hotcake griddle

If I's to change this life I lead
I'd be Johnny Tomato Seed
'Cause I know what this country needs
Homegrown tomatoes in every yard you see
When I die don't bury me
In a box in a cemetery
Out in the garden would be much better
I could be pushin' up homegrown tomatoes

Travers Stakes

Today was the historic Travers Stakes in Saratoga Springs. The Travers Stakes is the oldest major thoroughbred horse race in America and first took place in 1864 at the Saratoga Race Course. Today's winner was Colonel John.

Preparing for Winter

Today I came across this stack of wood while running around. It brought to mind again that summer may unfortunately be over.

Homemade Art

I found this while I was taking out the trash today. Thought I would share it with everyone.

Rockin' On The Plaza

I took this picture at a previous summer concert at the Empire State Plaza. Personally I feel this is a nice juxtaposition with the guitar and The Egg showing that live music is held in both places.

On another note, this morning was colder than I was expecting when I walked outside. It was cool enough to consider getting a jacket, but I passed. My concern is that this signals an end to the summer. I'm not ready for it to get cold again.

Also....happy birthday Dad :)

SPAC

Welcome to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). This beautiful outdoor venue has been home to hundred of concerts over the decades. This picture was shot before the season got underway as you can see by the beautiful lawn area. The lawn this past weekend for the Bob Dylan concert didn't look nearly this good. If you ever get a chance to see a concert here you should hop on the chance.

Phase 10

What do you do on a sunny afternoon at the Saratoga Music Festival? Pass the time playing Phase 10. Yesterday was the Saratoga Music Festival starring Bob Dylan & His Band and it was a beautiful day. Throughout the afternoon we passed the time playing Phase 10. Many people passed by asking what we were playing and some even wanted to join. If you haven't played this game, you should rush to the store and play it tonight.

Saratoga's Springs

Have you ever tasted the water in Saratoga? Be careful. You may get more than you bargained for when you take a gulp from some of the springs. Many believe the springs offer healing powers and medicinal qualities which has made this location such a hot spot for tourists, horse racing fans, artists, and even our first president. If you've never been to Saratoga Springs, it's definitely worth a trip.

Pictured is one of the springs found in the main park downtown. The orange color is caused by the iron present in the water.

The Lone Watermelon

This may be the smallest watermelon known to mankind. After seeing the melon sit on the ground for weeks and not get any bigger we determined it was time to eat it. Though it was small, it was one of the tastiest watermelons I've eaten. The rind wasn't tough and very easy to eat.

Trinkets

This is a selection of trinkets that I came across this past week.

Would you like to play squash?

The game is easy. Try to grow the largest squash possible. The squash pictured clocked in at 14.5 inches long and a whopping 2lb 15oz. Sadly this will probably be the last squash this year from the garden. Many of the plants were encroaching the eggplant, peppers, watermelon, and cantaloupe. To allow for more sunlight many of the plants were pulled up. However, the squash blossoms were saved and used to make a delectable lunch.

Would you like a scarf?

This is a collection of scarves I ran across last week at the Albany Food Festival.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

...You Paint That Shit Gold. Whatever you call it (Underground Rap, Emo Rap, or Midwest Rap) Atmosphere's 6th full length studio album offers a nice break from your standard rap songs. They offer more mature lyrics than conventional rap in an attempt to convey their messages to a much broader audience.

Or you can make Lemonade.

Nice Bike

When winter finally loosens its grip from the Albany area, everyone who owns a motorcycle comes out of the woodwork. The summertime is a wonderful time to ride your bike and enjoy the sunshine before winter returns.

Welcome to the prehistoric age

This is a taste of what the Albany Food Festival had to offer. I don't think these were edible.

New York's Finest

New York's Finest working hard.

Scratch Off

Does the downturn in the US economy have you strapped for cash? You could always take you chance with the instant win scratch off tickets from the New York State Lottery. However, I'd look for a more sound investment.

Food Festival!

Yesterday was the Empire State Plaza Food Festival. There were more than 70 specialty vendors from around the region serving up great food. This is just a sampling of what was being offered.

KT Tunstall

Tonight KT Tunstall played at the Empire State Plaza. As always she put on an electrifying show with lots of energy and excitement. Now, three years after her smash hit album Eye To The Telescope, she continues to perform with the same intensity and in doing so creates fans around the world.

Tangerine Tree

This is an update of a tangerine tree I've been growing for close to 3 months now. It's the biggest one I have and I hope it continues to grow. Many of the others are much smaller and have fewer leaves. I'm not sure if they have been getting enough natural sunlight. However, I've killed about 5 of them from setting them outside in the sun. Too hot? Too much water? I'm not sure.

SUNY Construction

Ongoing construction near the Empire Commons apartments on SUNY's campus have shut down the campus loop. The plan is to make the area more pedestrian friendly for students who walk between campus and Empire Commons. With 3 weeks before classes start, they are putting the final touches on the construction project.

787

This is a shot of 787 as is goes under the Empire State Plaza. The large white building is the Times Union Arena in the foreground and the Key Bank building in the background. If you ever look at a map of Albany you will see that 787 seems to stop abruptly under the Empire State Plaza. In reality the road just makes a curve and then loops you back away from the Plaza.

Are you hungry?

It was rainy all day today. What does that mean? Throw a pot luck! This is a sampling of what showed up at our pot luck. Happy feasting.

Theme Day: Metal

In honor of today's Theme Day at CDPB I found a construction site outside my residence today. This photo is of a large Front Loader they are using to move some dirt and bricks around.