Fall is Clearly on the Way...

There's been a chill in the air for a few days now and it seems it's here to stay... a sure fire indication that Fall is on the way.

I know the official date was Sunday but officially the air has been proof without a set date. I'm pretty sure the changes in nature would come regardless of the date on any given calendar. lol

They're beautiful to look at, these subtle changes. A few red leaves here and there, a few yellow leaves too. The full leaf changing effect won't be here for a couple more weeks and yet I still find myself watching closely so I don't miss a thing. One day I'll awake to the green in the woods, the next day it'll be a splash of color like few artists can duplicate on canvas.

This will be my third year watching the color of the leaves change and I was told I would get used to it, that it would become common place. That hasn't happened at all. Indeed, I do believe I look forward to it more each time it comes.

The only bit of anxiousness is knowing what comes after this remarkable change. It's a small bit of anxiousness to be sure because winter too has its own sort of beauty. Yet knowing the cold will come finds me making plans for it in my head; get out the winter coats, scarves, socks and winter clothes. Put the garden to bed, find places for the potted plants that have to over-winter indoors, roll up the garden hose and bring in the motion sensor sprinklers. Oh, there's a lot more but you can see where my mind goes.

I always enjoy being outside but I feel the need to spend as much time as possible out there right now because the day will come when it's too cold for this transplanted Florida girl to brave the weather for much longer than a few minutes.

I let a few household chores go so I have them to tend to when I can't be outside. These are the little, tedious things that aren't much fun anyway you look at them. Like changing the foil on the stove burners, cleaning the front of the kitchen cabinets and organizing my filing. Any takers?? lol!

I'm not the only one sensing this change upon us. The animals know it's coming too. The humming birds aren't outside the window fighting in mid air, I no longer hear their squawk or the hum of their wings. It's time to bring in the feeders, get them cleaned up and stored away until springtime comes again.

I anticipate the return of the woodpeckers and the blue birds even while knowing some of the others will migrate south, or north depending on the bird. I think I'll try those suet cages this year after seeing them on a facebook friend's page. It seems "if I feed them, they will come" is a long standing motto for me :) That includes you people! LOL

Changing the subject to something that has fueled a passion in me, I read a book over the summer and had the chance to meet the author. The book is called, "My Kitchen Cure" and it was written by a lady named Mee Tracy McCormick. If you get the chance to read her story, I think you might just find yourself making a few changes in your food eating decisions.

Hers is an amazing journey from being close to death to healing herself with food. It's true! The story isn't long or drawn out, she gets right to the point. After her story she defines the foods, she describes her kitchen tools and she provides recipes should you want to embark on this healing as well.

It's worth the time to read the story even if you aren't in a serious condition as she was. Even if you feel fairly healthy, you might find that there are still some really bad things going into your body that can turn on you later. Some things just aren't food and yet they are sold as such and we believe the false advertising and we eat them. Reading her story explains so much of it. It can't hurt to read it, can it?

I know I've been a nut about healthy eating and good-for-you-food for quite some time now but this lady nails it.

The farmers market I visited each Friday has closed for the season now. I understand how this has to happen as the garden begins to fade and the crops change from summer to Fall. A few good things came of it this year as I met some really nice farmers and in doing so, I've been invited to come to their farms and purchase what I need in the way of sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, greens such as collards and turnips and even some winter squashes.

The farmers are really nice folks. They seem to enjoy talking about what's growing on the farm, what's ailing the crops, how the weather had its effects, etc. You know me, I soak it all up and store it for future use in my own little farm garden.

Between the real life farmers and the new "Farmers Almanac" (thank you Kris!) I should be all set for the next planting season! yay!

In the meantime, the day lilies and irises need to be divided and the divisions need to be planted in new places. The seeds of lettuce can be planted along with radishes and kale. My silly tomatillos are just now coming in but I'm not sure how hearty they are up here so if a frost comes, they'll have to be covered up. I may even lose them. Those of you for whom the tomatillo salsa was promised, well, sorry to disappoint. I do have plenty of hot peppers canned if that sounds like a good substitute for you????

That's the way of the garden and how nature can be the determining factor.
That's the way I enjoy living and I count my blessings every day that I'm able to do so.


"Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heartstrings that play soft and low..."
~Van Morrison