a change in the weather...

Last week I was wearing a broad-brimmed straw hat and trying to beat the heat & humidity.
No make-up, old gardening clothes, and giving in to the irresistible urge to spray my face and head with cold water from the garden hose (it's days like these that you hope no one drops in for an unexpected visit!)  

                                          

It's a balancing act between summer and fall...a time when the garden begins to slow down (except for the grape tomatoes and jalapeno peppers, which are non-stop), and the days are spent picking the last of the tomatoes, zucchini, and watermelon. The garden was tilled, and soon I'll add compost and put it to bed for the winter.

Saturday my goal was to pick all the Fuji apples. Apples were so abundant this year, that the limbs were bending...so after filling a wheel barrow to overflowing, I'm now whipping up apple butter and apple pie filling as quickly as I can.

True, they look nothing like store-bought apples...but that's okay, we don't spray them. And while they may not look perfectly, perfect on the outside, inside they look, and taste, terrific. 

Yesterday brought a big change in the weather...storms blew in and filled the day with rain. Today, we woke up to a breezy, brisk 48 degrees.

                         

The leaves are changing,

the sunrises are spectacular,

as are the sunsets. 

It's time to prepare for the winter days ahead. We've stored our first order of hay with another delivery to come, and there's a little firewood left to split and stack. Soon we'll be buttoning up the chicken coop and run along with the goat shed to keep everyone cozy. 

That was a quick peek at our week, now it's time for me to get back and tackle the mountain of apples waiting for me. There's chili simmering on the stove and plans for hot chocolate later...it just seems like the perfect day for them.

My favorite time of year!

favorite country things...

The wind is picking up and blowing across the fields surrounding the old farmhouse. Even though the weather is still warm, I can see it...that unmistakable glint of gold, you know it: a coppery glow that comes just before the sun sets. I can hear it...the rustling of drying field corn as the towering 8-foot tall stalks sway back and forth bumping into one another. The seasons are changing, and it's time to stack wood, put the garden to bed, and do all that needs "doing" before winter arrives. There's a cozy feeling that comes from knowing "all is well" before the snow flies and the temperatures drop.

However; before that snow flies, there's still much to do...and these cooler, breezy days with no humidity are perfect for trying to check off as many jobs as possible on my (seemingly endless) to-do list. 

And because I know wherever you are, your days are full, this post is short on words and instead filled with snapshots of our days on the farm.

Savor it all friends, the winding down of summer and preparing for autumn...gathering, harvesting, putting-by. Ahhh, the lingering days of summer's pleasures.   

Oh this one? Nah, it's not on the farm.

But wouldn't it be great pulling Maizy?
 A 1953 Packard...
sigh.
I think I'd name her Lilly-Mae or Ida-Belle.

Must. Have. Vintage. Car.

or 

Truck...I'm not picky!