Monday is Cookie Day!

The cookie of the week: Spiced Oat Slices

Outside

The Last Rose

Outside my window

Fall Weekend

The weather was perfect and although is was only a 3/4 weekend (Del had to work a half day on Saturday) it was very enjoyable and relaxing.

Fall Trees

The trees in front of our house are turning nicely. The one on the far left is always the first to change color and shed its leaves.

Around the Garden

Fall Feast

We celebrated the beginning of my favorite season with a little feast this weekend.

Pork chops, sweet potatoes, green beans, baked acorn squash and corn bread muffins. Apple cranberry crisp for dessert and a few late flowers from the garden.

The Last Roses

Productive Day

 I finished fall cleaning the kitchen today. Then I roasted peanuts, made ginger ale, started a new batch of vanilla essence and baked a pumpkin bread. Now I am going to start a new crochet project, fingerless mitts for myself. The temperature never reached 70 today, I think Fall is coming closer. I hope to spend the next two days finishing the birthday gifts for the kitties and on Saturday we are going to deep clean the bedroom, mattress and all, oh what joy (but necessary).

This and that

Goodness, that week has gone by in a hurry. I cleaned and I sewed and I made plans. I started fall cleaning which this year includes areas that don't get cleaned very often, like behind furniture and inside cupboards, cabinets and drawers. I also cleaned the blinds at the back door and found it much easier than I expected. I soaked them in the tub and then gently rubbed them with a cloth. I am sewing birthday gifts for the cats, September is cat birthday month at our house. Holiday plans are getting under way.
The weather was pleasant and the cats were livelier than they are when it is hot. So much to do, so much fun. Our long weekend was relaxing and quiet and full of food. Here is some of it. Lemon cupcakes with blueberries, homemade buns, made into burgers.

I discovered that there is nothing wrong with my camera after all. The battery re-charger has died and that is why the batteries did not work properly. Now I am back to using regular ones and taking pictures again.
I find myself a little disappointed with our farmer's market this year. There are more people selling baked goods and less farmers. The prices have gone up and the produce does not look all that good which is probably the fault of the weather. I am buying a lot less than in previous years, mainly meat and eggs and fruits. I so need to get a vegetable garden going again!

Fall Feelings

The mornings are cool and dark and damp. The days are getting noticeably shorter and not as hot as they were just a couple of weeks ago. We survived summer without A/C and had the lowest electricity usage ever for this time of the year.
The first fall feelings are beginning to stir. The urge to sort and purge, to clean the house from top to bottom, to make things again. I am starting to look for fall and winter recipes. The first apples and winter squash are appearing on the farmer's market, my favorite season is just around the corner.

Fall

My favorite season and what it means for me.

Recovering from the heat of Summer and preparing for the cold of Winter.
Cleaning, clearing, purging, reorganizing.
Finding a new rhythm for my days, developing new habits.
Knitting socks.
Buying winter squash, apples, turnips, sweet potatoes and greens at the farmer's market.
Making soups, stews and chili.
Hot tea instead of iced coffee.
Baking more than just our daily bread.
Cooler nights spent snug under my new blanket.
Much better sleep in a quiet room (no fan running).
New craft projects (Christmas gifts).
Clear sunny days, cool crisp air.
Watching the leaves change color.
Happy, more active cats, enjoying the cooler temperatures.
Dark mornings and early evenings. 
Wearing long pants around the house again, and socks!
Raking leaves in the front yard.

What does Fall mean for you?

Happy Fall Y'all!

Fall

The squirrels are in a hurry to store food for the Winter (as frantic as they are I wonder how bad this Winter is going to be).

Beautiful colors.

Matching slippers for warm toes (I just finished a pair for myself with the yarn left over from Del's slippers).

Comfort food for dinner on cold evenings.

I love Fall!

Fall in the Kitchen

Chili with meat balls and corn muffins.

Spice cake with caramel icing.

Corn Shucking Frolic 2010

We had a wonderful time yesterday at the Horne Creek Farm. The weather was perfect, there was music and dancing, craft demonstrations, food and a glimpse into farm live about 150 years ago. There was apple drying, apple butter making, quilting, knitting, making dolls from corn husks, dyeing with natural dyes, molasses making and of course, corn shucking. I bought a big jar of molasses for some Fall baking I will be doing soon.