I Think It's Fall!

The temperatures have been nippy in the evenings for the past couple of weeks, and the leaves are falling from the trees...I think that means that Fall is here!

We have had some hustle and bustle going on up on the hill (and off it) in the past month.

L got her driver's license!

The dreaded minions of stink bugs are back - another sure sign of Fall...

...and the black walnuts have been pelting the barn and the chickens!  I picked up an entire trailer load of them from out of the chicken yard so that I wouldn't turn my ankles rolling around on them when I took out food and water for the hens!  They also did a number on the chickens' outdoor shelter!

I did some canning - these are kidney beans and black beans (I did not grow these, but they sure are nice to have in the pantry when I want to make a quick meal!)  And JP has been baking bread again.  (This one is from The Blue Zone Kitchen.  It is made of sourdough, whole wheat flour and semolina, and is very hardy and delicious.

The garden is basically done for the year.  This week I pulled out everything except the 2 cherry tomato plants (they still looked ok) and this watermelon...I don't think it's quite ripe yet.  And I've been bringing in and covering things outside little by little.

All of this (plus 2 more pumpkins) were from 2 
pumpkin plants and 1 squash plant!

This rose was left after I cut off the chard!

My dad had a minor stroke a couple of weeks back, and spent the better part of the week in the hospital.  He is home now and doing very well, but certainly gave me a scare!

J was home for her Fall Break last week - she came home on the train this time.  It was 2 1/2 hours late leaving Toledo in the wee hours of the morning last Friday, and got into Pittsburgh at 7:20 or so.  It was only 20 min late going back to school on Tuesday night.  She is taking an Art Installation class this semester, and worked on a project while she was here.  I'm not sure if she's titled it or not?

I am continuing to do my Fridge Facts every day:

Book Lover's Edition

Courage/Strength Edition

Harry Potter Edition

Lord of the Rings Edition

Napoleon Dynamite Edition

JP also had the idea to install this bulletin board in the kitchen so that we can all be cognizant of the fresh fruit and veg in the house that needs to be used...no more finding a soggy cucumber in the bottom of the veg drawer!!

Well, Happy Fall to you all!