HomeAboutEtsyHomemakingGarden
AnimalsHandiworkFoodGreenDIY

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Autumn Checklist

What a beautiful and busy time of year.
As we are pulling in and processing the tail end of the garden produce,
the leaves are changing, and Mother Nature is preparing for a change.
Isn't it peculiar how when the temperature begins to dip down to chilly
at night our nesting instincts kick in and give us 
that little boost of energy we need?
I'm not sure if we are ever really 100% ready for that first snow.
We always seem to forget something.
I am notorious for leaving hoses out until the snowfalls.
Then I have to go out and try to make sure they are drained
and put away while it's snowing on me.
Since I work best from a list and I know quite a few others
who share this same 'quirk,' 
I thought it might be a nice thing to share.
Of course, depending upon where you live and your situation,
your list might look a little different.
This might contain an item or two you forgot to add.
And if there's something on your list that you don't see here,
please share in a comment.
This is meant to help all of us.

In No Particular Order:

* Take stock of pantry~ What do you have in abundance, and what are you short on?
* Critter Feed~ Weather it's bunnies or beef, do you have enough feed (or a dependable source,) tank heaters, power  cords, anything needed for birthing (which will always be 2 AM of the coldest week of the year.)
* Heat Source~ Is the wood in? Propane tank filled? If electric or gas, do you keep a back up source?  Is your chimney clean?
* Equipment~ Lawnmowers, weed-eaters, chainsaws and any other form of small engine should be serviced before storing it for winter.  Why are we so good at this for our cars but not for smaller items?  My small engine repairman suggests using "seafoam" so that's what we use.  I don't know if there are other similar products of different brands.
* Tools~ From hammers and screwdrivers to pitch forks and wheelbarrows, how are the handles?  Is the metal clean?  Are they where they belong?
* Garden~ Put the garden to bed or plant your winter crop depending on where you live.
* Hoses!~ Geesh, I almost forgot to even put it on the list.  Drain, coil, and put them away.
* Blankets and Winter Clothes~ I don't store seasonal clothes, but if you do, you might locate, air out, iron if necessary, and ready them for wearing.  I like to either hang my blankets that have been folded up all summer on the line for an hour or two or give them a tumble in the dryer.
* Automobiles~ Have an emergency kit in each rig.  Check your tire pressure and the condition of the tires, antifreeze, fluids, wipers, etc.
*House~ Check windows and doors.  Are they sealing properly?   Are the leaves off the roof and gutters clean?  Do you wrap certain pipes for winter?
* Barns, Sheds, Fences and Gates~ In good repair? Is there a broken board that would be easier to fix now?
* Christmas~ Don't shoot!  I put this here, because if there are certain gifts you are making, you probably don't want to put it off until Dec. 1st to get started.
* MOST IMPORTANT~ How's your fire pit? Don't forget to take time to observe the beauty around you, jump in the leaves, roast a marshmallow and drink some hot chocolate or apple cider.  If you make it through even a portion of these things, you're ahead of the game.

Is here something you do each fall that's not listed here?
Let us know.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

8 comments:

  1. I already have picked up a couple Christmas gifts. I think it is better to spread the expense across time plus I pay cash so there are no bills after Christmas. I have to put my winter gear in the trunk pretty soon too. I keep a sleeping bag in there all the time because you never know when you might break down and have to wait a long while.

    ReplyDelete
  2. how organised you are, from what they say for the weather here in the UK we are going to have a bad winter, trust the forcasters have got it wrong as we have had no summer this year we certainly deserve a mild winter!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am always looking for a good list like this to remind me of things to prep for! If I made this list, it would be on half a dozen scraps of paper all over the house! Thanks for making it so easy. I pinned it so I wouldn't lose this one. haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Too funny! I end up with those little notes too as well as emails to myself as reminders:)

      Delete
  4. You have put together a great Fall checklist. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my! So many things to think about. Thanks for the list.

    ReplyDelete
  6. thank you for the list...getting busy!

    ReplyDelete