Raked

Now that the garage is cleaned out and the cars are safely stowed, we're focusing our efforts on the last bit of winter prep in the garden. Fortunately today was insanely beautiful and warm, and we were able to get the job done!

The wood's all stacked, winter coat and boots have been procured. The heater's been serviced and the chimney is clean. I'd say we're almost ready for winter. Bring it on!

We did it!

Tah-dah!!

Feeling mighty proud I must say...

Losing Lillie

Our precious little Lillie girl is nearing the end of her life. 

She's lost a little bit of common sense and a lot of her good manners. Her vision is going and she can't jump like she used to. She eats like a lion all day long but weighs under six pounds. She's got a lot on her mind and and if you sit still long enough, she'll sit in your lap and tell you all about it.

Hanging out in the kitchen sink is one of her favorite pastimes these days, along with sleeping in a box and snuggling with her brothers who have taken over her grooming. 

She's only 15, which isn't that old by indoor kitty standards. We wish we could have her with us forever.

Hello, November

It's November! 

 

The sun is out, the weather is warm and our house is falling apart. Water is leaking from the boiler and the shower drain upstairs. All of a sudden we're a little too familiar with the insides of the walls. There are great handhewn beams in places we never expected. Old square nails and plaster lath, too. There is also mold and a lot of it. Oh well. Chalk it up to age. 150 years old this year. In some ways it's a miracle more doesn't go wrong...but let's not dwell on that right now.

The sugar maple that was on the property when I moved here was here was alive when the house was built. It didn't fare so well, succumbing to rot and critters more than a five years ago. 

A couple of years ago an oak seeding, long buried by a virtuous squirrel, sprouted up in its place. It's a tad too close to the house, but it's too big to move now. Guess we'll keep it.

More than ever I am grateful to be right here, right now. Working from this sweet home, growing the business we love. Tired. Yes, I'm tired. But happy. 

Content and ever thankful.

Bluebirds in October

It's a day to savor the last peaceful moments of autumn before she vanishes. 

Having learned to make friends with winter I'd say we've reached a peaceful truce. I agree not to complain and she, well she agrees to turn cold and windy and give us at least one good proper snowstorm. 

I can live with that. After all, what choice do I have except to embrace the beauty in slowing down and the joy in bundling up. 

The wood is stacked. We're ready.

Oh October, you slay me every time.

 

It's October. The heat is on, the quilts are out of storage and the dutch oven has been in use three nights in a row now. Soups, stews, roast chicken, root vegetables. As a goodbye to summer we'll make pesto from the last of the basil and dig a few volunteer potatoes for dinner. The leaves are late turning this year. That's fine by me. I hope their progress is slow and leisurely.

October is my favorite color.