Welcome Fall

Dear Readers,

I hope you are enjoying a beautiful day! I want to thank my sweet husband for the new "autumnal" look, which he put up Saturday.

Today is the official beginning of autumn, and from the looks of the weather, it's here to stay. Hopefully it won't freeze tonight, or I'll be trying to spread covers on the tender plants in the wind (Always makes for something entertaining for the neighbors to watch.).

A katydid and friend on one of the last roses.

Here in Idaho, when Autumn comes, winter is not far behind. Last year it snowed the first weekend of October, and the woolly bear caterpillars are predicting another long, cold winter (Supposedly when they have a narrow orange stripe, or no stripe).

Here is a poem I wrote a few years back for this time of year, and some photos taken a few days ago:

Just a Few Days

Just a few, that's all there is left.
A few days of clear golden skies,
Of naked children in cool water,
Of sun-tanned skin and sun-kissed hair.
Just a few days linger before
woolens replace sandals and bare feet.
Before the warm sun on the back of our necks
is a memory,
As we harvest summer's bounteous pleasures,
then bid them goodbye until next year.

I've been inspired by all my blog friends sharing their illustrated homemaking journals (Thank you, dear ones, for the inspiration!), and have made one of my own (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?). I used a spiral-bound note book, and used lots of pictures from Victorian Trading Company's catalog (and a few others) to decorate it. Here is the cover and some sample pages (For some reason Blogger put some pictures on their sides!):

I started out with organized to-do lists, etc., but am falling fast behind!

Since we are beginning a new season, I thought I'd list some goals we're striving toward here:

1. Knit shawls for girls and me.
2. Make flannel chemises/pantaloons for girls.
3. Plant greens in the greenhouse.
4. Go on an extended cleanse (My poor body has been "through the wringer"!)/rebuild.
5. Have daily tea with the girls (Lots of raspberry to help them ease into puberty!)
6. Simplify, simplify, simplify!
7. Juice, juice, and more juice!
8. Learn how to use my serger and make lots of diapers for Frankie

May you be blessed with renewed vigor as the cooler weather settles in, and blessed with health and strength through the upcoming cold time of year.

Wisdom from "The Complete Home":

"Cousin Ann, tell me how it is that your work never drags or falls behind?"

"Why," says Cousin Ann, "I look ahead and see what is coming, and I keep a little in advance of demand. I don't lose an hour in the morning and expect to make it up in the evening: night is the wrong end of the day to borrow from: work never goes briskly in the after part of the day; in the morning it is cool: we are rested, fresh and strong, and then is the time to get the work out of the way...."

Love,

Marqueta