Awe-tumn!

Well Howdy folks~

I do hope you’ve had a fantastic summer.

We have recently built our first fire and received our first real rain since June.

They should be opening the forests, if they haven’t already, 

so we can go get firewood.

That’s something we usually like to do in spring, and we do have some 

but not enough to make it through the winter.

You are probably wondering what we’ve been up to these past few months

- or even if you aren’t wondering, I’m still gonna tell 'cause I'm ornery that way.

The garden did reasonably well this year in the way of green beans and tomatoes so canning those to help carry us through winter was a priority.

In addition to canning, the dehydrators have been busily humming along

with apricots, plums, strawberries, blackberries, and apples.

We’ve processed one bear so far (wouldn’t mind another.)

In addition to the meat, we rendered 1 gallon of incredibly delicious lard 

and for the first time bone broth.

Mr LB surprised me with this amazing cauldron.

I had been wanting one for some time. He’s such a sweetie!

We were able to process all of the bones in one go 

and ended up with several gallons (in quart and pint jars) of broth.

Aside from our jobs, that’s what has consumed most of our time.

About the plans and projects I alluded to in my last post,

well they are still in progress.

Believe it or not, I have been trying to work on them, 

but as often happens life gets in the way.

I’ve been blogging for ten years now and over that span, 

there have been many changes -

Both in myself and in the land of blogs.

Is it just me or did they used to be more personable?

Once I was about a month into the break,

(probably while chopping tomatoes- great thinks get thunk while chopping)

I realized I was no longer thinking of my life in the form of blog posts.
It was a refreshing realization.

We went out of town for a wedding and a visit to friends this past weekend, and

I think it was the first time I took pictures in two months.

Somewhere between boiling bear bones and slicing apples,

I decided to just take it easy in the way of blogging.

I will post occasionally but not on a regular basis.

As I do finalize some of the things I’m working on

(though turtle pace it may be)

I will be sharing them with you

It always makes me wonder when a blog just stops 

or doesn’t post for several months, if everything is okay at the other end.  

(Am I the only one who wonders such things?)

So I just wanted to let you know

that even if I don’t post regularly, I’m here.

Here working, here living, and here moving through the seasons.
I'm here.

As always, I love to hear from you 

so feel free to drop me a line and harass me a bit.

Are You Running Yourself Ragged?

Imagine if you will for a moment a piece of cloth

woven with warp and weft.

Now carefully pick one thread from anywhere on the cloth

and give it a gentle tug.

You can make an unsightly loop or even pull 

the thread entirely from the cloth.

If you were to pick threads randomly from both sides wither and tither, 

you would end up with a pretty tattered and ratty

looking piece of cloth.

The cloth in this scenario is of course, our heart and soul,

our character, our physique, and our being.

Every person we encounter, task we tend to, errand we run, 

and decision we make are all tugs at the fabric of who we are.

Obviously some are menial and with a rub of the thumb

can be smoothed back into place.

Others require a bit more effort to work back into that even weave.

And yet others, well, we might just need a new thread

and our darning needle to repair.

Like anything, it's better to keep at things before they get to that point.

But it can be difficult.

We have demands being made of us at a rather alarming rate

if you think about it, and we don't even realize it.

In addition to the big ones: get to work on time, perform said duties,

kids to school, etc. there are thousands of others.

Car- fill me with gas or I won't run.

Phone- answer me or I'll keep ringing.

Critters and garden- water (feed) me or I'll die and won't feed you.

grocery clerk- pay me or you can't have your items.

Most of these are just understood, but they are still a tug.

They are not necessarily bad or harmful, but when too many 

rain upon us at once, we can be left

'hanging on by a thread.'

Equally important is the fact that we need time to be alone with ourselves

and keep our souls smooth.

There are times when we don't want to go anywhere or talk to anyone.

Time alone at home talking and listening to God and just being

seems necessary.

I think He made the seasons the way they are for a reason.

Just about the time we have run ourselves ragged,

the days start getting a little shorter and

the nights longer and colder.

It seems to go against mainstream society,

but He is almost pushing us back inside come evening-time saying,

"Rest up."

Like most children, we don't always listen as we should.

If this is where you are,

I would like this post to serve as that gentle voice that says,

"It's okay.  Take a breath."

Take a few moments to smooth out those little loops and

remember winter will be here soon, and we'll have more time

to spend with that darning needle.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

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

~A Time To Pause~

Last year by this time, we had been frozen.

Our green tomatoes were scattered on newspaper

to finish ripening and

the fire was lit nightly.

So far this year we've been pretty lucky.

We have lit an evening fire a few nights.

It won't be long.

The weather is turning ~ blessed rain.

I've filled the lamps and we have one by one

closed the windows against the chill of night.

They are now all closed.

The last was the bedroom:

to hear the river, the frogs, and the quail

both nesting and waking in the ivy trees

is something we relish.

(out our bedroom window & back door)

It is now time for a bit of reflection

by the warmth of the fire with a cup of 

something warm to drink.

And so begins the season of inside,

a time to pause

and take notice of the things within.

I've been away for a bit

and I thank you for your patience.

Sometimes there are just those things that need tending to.

There was a nice weekend in Spokane

that I will share with you soon.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Sensing the Season

The race is on...

lately there have been some beautiful autumn posts and pictures.

(out by our gate)

What goes through my head is

"Waaaaiiit! I'm not ready yet."

The pears are on,

The tomatoes are on,

The plums and cukes are still on.

(one day's worth)

All of these need preserving.

The dehydrater is going full bore.

The canning pots are standing ready.

The pantry shelves are still receiving.

The tree with eating apples is not quite ready yet.

The celery is taking its own sweet time.

We had about 6 weeks of 100 plus degree weather

this summer and had to keep things alive through it.
I want to reap and preserve as much of the bounty as possible.

There is still so much to do.

We still need to:

begin pulling and cleaning up the garden

as certain things begin to fizzle out,

get firewood,

as trees finish up, prune them (this is their year,)

clean chimney / ready wood stove, and

deep clean kitchen after harvest which isn't finished.

Yes, I realize this just seems like some

crazy person's to-do list,

but really it's about living with nature.

I don't want to rush it.

Don't get me wrong, I love autumn,

the rich warm colours,

and the crisp cool nights.

If we take our cues from nature

and the critters,

late summer is for squirrelling away our winter store.

The chipmunks have been busy,

the quail nesting earilier in the evening,

the bear foraging on fallen fruit of all sorts,

and birds soaring to warmer climes.

This is where we find ourselves.

I mean really find ourselves.

It's living right with nature:

it's just what is here now and

making the most of the gifts we are granted.

It's not rushing forward into the next season.

Our society forces this upon us by putting

Christmas decor out in October

and St. Valentine's candy out at New Year etc.

Neither, is it grasping to what is gone.

You might try swimming in the river,

but you won't last long - the water is cooling down.

All of this said,

maybe just appreciate the sense of season,

the now season.

It's an in between season with no real name,
no longer summer and not quite autumn.

It's the gift of today,

and isn't today just beautiful?

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Homemade Spiced Apple Cider

September and Apples

Those two words just seem to go hand in hand.

The smell of apples in late summer and early autumn

just bring a stirring in the soul 

that conjure up visions of frosty mornings,

falling leaves, bright orange scool busses,

and apples.

Whole apples being kept in whole form

are not my forte.

Keeping in whole form + fuzz + funky odor - I'm a pro.

Needless to say, 

we preserve them in different ways.

This year in addition to our own apples,

we have had three boxes given to us.

One box will be cored and dehydrated.

The other two boxes as well as our own

were juiced for spiced apple cider.

Our neighbor has an apple press that we were able to borrow.

Washed up our apples and the press

then got to 'work.'

As we juice it,

small pieces of apple make it into the juice.

It went into my big ol' coldrun

and my big ol' canning pot.

(Lots of cider:)

Into the juice went

cinnamin sticks

allspice

bay leaves

cloves

dried oranges

nutmeg

mace

Isn't it just beautiful?

I wish the screen was scratch-n-sniff for you.
As it was simmering,
the house smelled just incredible.

As it went into the jars,

it was strained.

We ended up with 18 quarts and 1 pint.
It might be a little work now,
but come winter when the snow is flying
and we are bringing wood in to stoke the fire,
a nice hot cup of cider might just taste pretty good.

The recipe if you're interested:
2 qts fresh squeezed apple juice
2 tsp. whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 cinnamin sticks
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. mace
1 tsp. allspice
2-3 dried orange slices
1/4 cup brown sugar if your apples are not a sweet variety.
(I also added 1 stick cannella which if you are unfamiliar,
you can find in the hispanic section of the grocery store.)
Heat to boiling then reduce heat and 
simmer about an hour ~ stirring occasionally.
I hot-water-bathed the quart jars 20 min. though I read
as little as 10 min. and as long as 25 min.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Seed Saving

If you grow a garden and find yourself drooling

over seed catalogs come about February,

you might consider trying to save your own seeds.

You might find your outlook changes a little.

While, I like to think, "Oooh & Aaah, that looks good."

In truth, I need very few seeds after saving seeds for only 2-3 years.

I now think, "I'm only spending $3.42 on seeds!" 

(or whatever small amount it is as opposed to a weeks pay)

Beens and radishes are very easy.

The plants keep the seeds all nice and tidy in a pod.

Here we have spinach.

(We had a rain between seed harvests.  I didn't keep the black looking ones.)

Those little seeds just roll right off for keeping.

I would suggest doing so on a tea towel or placemat, etc.

If you try to do it on a table, 

they are great at escaping by rolling right across the slick surface

and across the floor.

Today, I plan on planting a new row of spinach from my package

that I purchased this spring,

and a row of these that I just saved

in order to test germination.

This year I am going to try my hand at saving carrot seeds.

They require heirloom seeds to start with,

then don't produce seeds until year two.

Our carrots are looking pretty good so will leave a few in the ground

and see what happens next year.

A couple of important tips:

*Hybrids don't usually produce seeds that will germinate.

*Slimey seeds should be washed then dried (tomato, cukes, etc.)

*Keep seeds in a dry place.

*A quick internet search will provide a plethora of informtion

for your favorite veggies.

*Start with just one or two of your favorites:

you'll find you want to save more next year.

*If I can do it, you can too.  (My joke is that

my garden thrives upon neglect;)

I look at seeds like money in the bank.

I know next year, not only will I be saving on seed purchases,

but will also be saving substantially on food purchases.

It's just another way to save money and eat well.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

~*~Autumn Table Topper~*~

Just another small finish.

As soon as my table cloth gets out of the dryer,

this will go on our table.

This is actually my second ~

Last year I made a table runner.

I really should pick another season,

but autumn is so cozy.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Settlin' In

Our somewhat abbreviated autumn is coming to a close.  Today, we are supposed to have a high of 75 degrees - Yes, I am fully aware it is November.  Mother Nature must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  Have no fear however, Old Man Winter is chasing her.  By Friday, we are supposed to have a chance of snow.  I didn't get on here to talk about the weather, but wanted to share with you a feeling. 

 

You know the feeling when you have been gone for a few days (or even longer,) and you walk in the door and something just flows through you.  You're home. No more getting to or from, no more clocks to measure your time, no more anything.  You set your bags down - the ones you are carrying on the inside as well. 

Go into the kitchen and put the water on, then light the fire while the water is heating - even if it is a candle.  It will warm you.  You hear the soft beginnings of a whistle beckoning you.  Watch the steam as you poor the hot water over your favorite tea in that cup that just makes all tea taste better.  Holding it cradled in two hands, you make your way to the couch.  Now pull the old quilt over you, the one with thread bare edges and faded patches - that's the one.  It somehow knows how to fold around you.  It remembers you.  It comforts you. 
 

Close your eyes and soak up every bit of that peace and calm and quiet.

This is my wish for each of you as we edge our way into what can be a very busy time of year.  There seems to be less time between those busy times any more.  As we settle into the winter months, take your peace, your calm, and your quite, just enjoy it and be well.
Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches



Free Thanksgiving Pattern

Giving thanks and giving back.

I have some exciting news.  My friends and family have been telling me I should do this for a long time.  I have made patterns for people in the past, but haven't charged for them.  I am taking a leap and have begun posting my patterns.  If you look in my blog shoppe, they will be added as I have opportunity to do so.  It takes a little time just to get them posted to the shoppe let alone to create them. 

As a little perk to you, I am giving you a sweet Thanksgiving design that could actually be used the entire autumn season.  I put mine on a table runner, but you can make a pillow, tea towel, pot-holder, wall hanging, or a number of other items with this design.  The best news is... it's free! 

I would like to ask a couple things: first, I would ask that you become a follower - it's not a requirement.  You can still get the pattern if you choose not to follow.  I am a believer in the honor system:), and second, would you like more free patterns or designs perhaps each season?  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  That's where being a follower really kicks in.  You would get to see those free patterns, and of course, this is just a fun place to hang out.  (I hope you like the idea as I have a another one in mind and am hoping to get started on it.)

I have a couple other patterns in the works that are more along the quilting line.  It just takes a little longer to get those samples made.

This free pattern is in my blog shoppe as well.  Let me know if for any reason it isn't working.  You should be able to just click and print.
I am still a newby to blogging so I am learning by doing:)

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

PS: Blessings to you folks over on the east coast - be safe.

Harvest Party & Pumpkin Bread

On our mountain, we have a bit of a little mountain community.  We have a few little 'community' get togethers each year.  Today we had a harvest party.  We didn't have to take anything, but we could if we wanted to.  I love making this pumpkin bread/scones recipe.  It makes my kitchen smell delicious.  Since Mr. LB doesn't care for pumpkin (but likes the seeds:) I took the opportunity to make it.

It isn't a sweet bread, just flavorful with a little melted butter - are you drooling yet?

Oh, but wait.  It gets even better.

It actually makes two of these rounds.  The recipe says to make one large round, but the wedges are very large so I make two smaller rounds which are still good sized.  Tomorrow, we will go cut wood for Loretta up the river - an elderly lady whose husband passed away about 3 years ago.  Since then, we get together and split and stack her wood for her.  She makes yumiliscious goodies and tea and coffee for us while we work.  It's sooo worth it & besides, that's what neighbors are for.  We take care of one another. I'm adding the recipe for the pumpkin bread at the end of the post so your kitchen can smell delicious too.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Pumpkin Wedge Bread

2 cups self-rising flour,  2 tablespoons butter,  1/2 cup raisins,  1/3 cup sugar,  1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice,  1 cup canned pumpkin,  1 egg,  3 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 425*.  Place flour in large bowl.  Cut in butter with fingers till mixture resembles fine crumbs.  Stir in raisins, sugar, and spice.  Make well in center.  Add in pumpkin, egg, and 2 tablespoons milk.  Stir until a soft dough forms.  Turn dough out onto a floured surface.  Knead gently 10-12 times.  Place on a greased baking sheet and pat into a circle ( I made two circles about an inch thick.)  Cut completely through dough to make wedges.  Brush top with remaining milk (I forgot so you see my flour - oops)  Bake 20-23 minutes & serve with butter.

*From "Muffins, Scones & Coffee Cakes"

Delectable Mountain Mini Quilt / Table Topper

They say the first step to solving a problem is admitting that you have one so here goes: "I can't get rid of scraps." Whew, that was tough.  So this little jewel is made from some of the scraps from my Cathedral Window quilt that is in process.  As I have been cutting the squares for it, this pile of scraps just grew up out of nowhere like a vicious weed.  This was the result.  I saw an antique quilt in a magazine.  I have always liked the Delectable Mountain pattern anyways so thought, "Great!"  I don't use patterns; I just sorta go with the flow.

This is a 4 1/2 inch square at this point.  Those small squares will be one inchers.  Then I put them in place on the wall.

I was hoping for it to be one more row long, but I ran out of these particular scraps.  Even my scrappy quilts have to 'work.'  I know, it's an illness I tell you.

Then started sewing the squares into sections.  I wasn't bright enough to think about starching in the beginning, knowing I would be working with bias cuts so I suffered the consequences.  All those itty-bitty points reminded me.

I lost a few of them and it definitely has its flaws, but over all, it turned out pretty well.  And so here we are right back at the beginning.  I will probably just put a little brown binding on it as I don't think I want a boarder - but then you never know.  I might change my mind.  I will hand quilt it, but I have to finish up the one I am hand quilting now.  It's so close to finished it's ridiculous.  I don't know what officially makes a mini quilt a mini, this might just be a small quilt.  If you know, I would love it if you could inform me:)  This one reminds me of autumn, which I love.  Even with it's imperfections, I do believe I will enjoy quilting it and seeing it on my table.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

PS - This didn't use up all the scraps:( I will have to come up with something else to do with the rest of them:)

Trim the Tree & Deck the Halls

What? No Halloween Tree? Gasp!

This weekend, I dug into the autumn time bin and did a little decorating.  Each year, we decorate the tree with all kinds of ornaments, some homemade & some store bought, orange and purple candy canes, & black and orange glass balls.  We string the orange lights on the beautiful black branches and take a breath as we plug them in and see it illuminated against the night.  I am working on a quilted tree skirt so it won't always look quite so bare about the bottom.

A few years back, I found a set of Halloween ornaments & nabbed them as it's not something easy to find.

My daughter made this little purple spider years ago  - you know, before she was cool:-)  Actually, she would probably make it all over again today.

I made several owl in the moon (above) and the little hat (below) ornaments.

When the kids were reeeally little, they loved making chenille candy canes so of course, those will always have a place on the tree.

Oh, but we don't stop there - un uh.

There are signs of the season here.

And here.

Grampa's clock has some company.  Looks a little out of place, but so be it.

Made her many, many full moons ago.

Sweet Otis Ryan always makes me smile.

This year I have a special treat to hang above the wine rack.  If you missed that one, you can click here. 

I love autumn.  I don't so much care about being scary, but I love the nostalgia of the season - the games and traditions of long ago come to surface within my heart, and the crisp breeze blows everyday worries away if only for a little while. Everything is pleasant and good.  Our blessings are abundant, and we are genuinely thankful.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches