Bittersweet

Campfires, walks in the woods, a little bit of snow on the ground this morning. Collecting bittersweet and acorns and leaves on our hikes. New shearling mittens for my little one. Deliveries of stew beef from a friend (and newly-minted butcher.) Bluejays, Juncos, Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Sparrows, Titmice and Nuthatches circling the feeder. Pumpkin pie recipes.

Two and fro

Every morning for the last week, I woke up, got Z fed, dressed and off to school, and then raced back to build build build. I had this overwhelming (occasionally compulsive) need to get this gift from both sets of her grandparents done in time for Z's birthday celebration with her friends.

Last weekend came home to find a colossal pile of lumber on a double-sized wooden pallet in my driveway. (And half the hardware missing. Sigh.) There is no interesting story about the building of this thing - it was challenging, it was fascinating, it was occasionally maddening. Most of all, it was an exercise in tenacity.

But! But! I got it done. All by myself. And just in time. To see the kids go crazy and have such a great time was so worth it the sore back and arms. 

I am very proud of myself. And I love seeing my daughter so happy.

Blue Hubbard

Homegrown! This is one came from the farm plot and is going to become a squash and sage soup today. Seeds are being saved for next year....

Seed Saving

I finally got around to properly learning how to save tomato seeds! GardenWeb has a simple tutorial, and it took no time at all to start the process.

I'm also saving my purple podded pole beans, Kentucky pole beans, and loads of nasturtium. Fun, easy, and I am already dreaming about next Spring!

Adirondacks

An gorgeous night on the Clearwater

From the garden