The smell of woodsmoke, falling leaves, the honk of geese winging their way to warmer ponds - there is just something about this time of year as summer wanes and autumn arrives that stirs my soul.
Autumn is my favorite season and it isn't just about the end of the hot summer. Autumn is magical. The world slows down and has a "glow" to it: the vibrant color of fall leaves (well, not Oklahoma leaves but up north where they turn orange and red and gold), flickering flames in the fireplace, those deep earthy colors that warm us up just looking at them, and the rich and spicy foods that warm our insides.
If I could, I'd decorate the blog with russet and gold, soft greens and a bit of deep purple. Just looking at my laptop screen would make me happy.
Along with those falling leaves, pumpkins, and cooler weather comes the first frost. When it was so very hot this summer I worked on "indoor stuff" and made a list of tasks that needed to be done outside as soon as the weather cooled off and before frost ends the growing season. It was a long list for a small window of time and I'm racing to get it all done.
The next morning I was in the hay shed getting the goats' hay and was privileged to watch a red-tailed hawk land on the barn roof in front of me, not even twenty feet away. What a majestic sight that was! I desperately wished I could get a photo of this magnificent bird so close to me. The hawk didn't stay long; she saw me and took off to the osage orange tree on the other side of the barn. I watched several songbirds fly off quickly, away from danger.
The sweet potatoes are unearthed and curing. Last night I made streusel-topped sweet potatoes for dessert, and we can't wait for sweet potato pie.
And then I'll mulch the garlic bed and bring in some potted herbs for the winter.
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On rainy days I've been working on the last quilt of my crib quilt project. It's rewarding to sit in my chair with a warm quilt on my lap as I stitch and pray for another grandchild soon to join our family. Providing for my family is the most satisfying job of all, whether it's through my garden, my kitchen, or my handwork. Gathering the fruits of our labor in autumn is a chore that is both joyous and satisfying even though it's hard work.
Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
all is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.
"Come, ye Thankful People, Come," Henry Alford (1844)
We aren't the only ones falling for Autumn! This post is part of the Falling for Autumn series hosted by the Happy at Home Blogging Network. Today I'm happy to be one of seven different bloggers who are sharing what fall means to each of us. Come visit my friends with me! #FallingForAutumn
- Danielle and her family prepare for the upcoming cooler weather at Spring Lake Homestead.
- Linda uses natural fall materials to decorate her New England home at Apron Strings and Other Things.
- Michelle talks about the harsh realities of a homestead autumn at Souly Rested.
- Terri explores historic Saint Charles, Missouri in all its fall glory at Our Good Life.
- Angela gives us hope when autumn presents a huge to-do list at The Inquisitive Farmwife.
- Michelle reevaluates her Missouri garden and talks about hope in her post at Mid-Life Blogger.
An InLinkz Link-up
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How beautiful, simple and delightful! So glad that I am sharing a post with you and your beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Terri. This was a fun project!
DeleteI LOVE that picture you said is from a past November. Beautiful! I pretty much feel the same way about spiders. Even a few inside doesn't bother me too much, as they help with the fly and ladybug problems we inevitably have this time of year.
ReplyDeleteOk, I'll admit that there's a spider living behind my aloe vera plant on the kitchen windowsill. It's become a bit of a pet. I hope it's keeping down any possible spider mites and aphids in my houseplants.
DeleteWhat a beautiful view, rewarding tasks and cozy atmosphere! thanks so much for sharing this peek of your autumn season with us, Kathi!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda!
DeleteYou certainly are busy! And I wish I was more relaxed about spiders, even in the garden!
ReplyDeleteAngela, I'm not relaxed about black widows and brown recluses, or if a web is at face level and I keep walking into it!
DeleteThose apples are so photogenic. What a nice problem to have, not being able to reach all of them. I hope to have that problem within a few years, too. Do you know how old your trees are?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. We planted them the fall we moved here, so they are fourteen years old. I should have done a better job of keeping them pruned!
DeleteKathi--what an amazing photograph from a previous November. I'm in awe. I believe your arachnid friend is an Orb weaver, and I feel the same way about the OUTDOOR spiders. As for laissez faire... that's what we just named one of our two new barn kitties... Lassie for short. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute kitty name. I thought it meant she is dog-like. I had a cat who thought he was a dog and was superior to the other cats. lol. An Orb Weaver? We always have several that show up in October and I think they're really pretty.
DeleteYou blessed me with today's post. I share many thoughts and feelings, but don't have such a lovely way of putting my thoughts down. Thank you. I really enjoyed your blog today.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm happy to find another kindred spirit. :-)
DeleteMy daughter would love this post. She loves fall, too. You've almost convinced me that it should be my favorite, too. But, I think spring still wins out for me. :-)
ReplyDeleteSpring has its good points too, Donna. :-)
DeleteWhat a beautiful post, Kathi. I so enjoyed reading about your enjoyment of fall, as well as the things you do on the homestead during this busy season. The pictures are lovely too. I'm featuring this post at the Hearth and Soul Link Party this week. Thank you again for sharing it. Have a lovely week!
ReplyDelete