Myrtle's Quite Fertile & the Kale Keeps Flowering

After cooking/baking all morning, I went out about noon to begin the big potted plant clean up. It feels so good to have all the deck containers (over 40 of them) put away for the winter. It was a sunny autumn afternoon yesterday--just perfect for that job. I even cut down some of the front gardens so I won't have to do that this spring.

I dug up the tubers from Myrtle's Folly--

Whoa! I was surprised how they multiplied. I just hope Myrtle survives the winter.

I had intended to remove the big porch planter, but after taking the dead coleus out, the purple kale looked so nice that I decided to bring 3 white kale from one of the dismantled deck containers to replace the coleus. I think it should last until Thanksgiving now.

Does anyone know how long the cordyline will last? It still looks fine and we have had a lot of nights in the low 30's, so I am hopeful that it will survive another few weeks.

Just take a look at how small the kale was when I  planted it in late May:

Isn't it amazing how huge it got? And no worm holes either! I am pleased as punch and intend to plant more next year.  The best thing about the kale is that it looks its best when everything else dies--after it gets hit with frost. The cold temps bring out the rich purple color.
I knew after all that work, I would not feel like making dinner, so I had prepared a bunch of spinach/cream cheese stuffed chicken breasts before I went outside. Then all I had to do was pop them in the oven.

I had made the carrots and fresh cranberry sauce on Saturday. It was a good thing because I was too pooped to even think of doing it after the outside chores.

I froze enough chicken for two more meals. You all know by now how I like to cook once and eat at least three times!

Last week I gave my my mother-in-law a bunch of canning jars that have been in my basement for years.  I once intended to grow veggies and learn to can, but that never happened, so I decided it was time to get rid of the jars.  In return she sent over some canned goodies--tomatoes, sauerkraut, grape jelly and grape juice. Yes, she even makes her own grape juice from vines in her yard.

I told her I would trade empty jars for these goodies any day!