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

Happy St. Valentine's Day ~ In September

I could have waited to post this until February,

but that's just not how things work around here.

I'm a firm believer in cloth napkins, real plates,

sitting at the table to eat.

I know "gasp" right?

Mr. LB laughs at me for using 1/2 paper towel

which is actually pretty seldom.

These Valentine napkins have been cut out 

since before last Valentine's Day.

They are finally stitched up.

At least they are ready for next year:)

This time of year,

I tend to do the nesting thing.

Clean house, get some clutter out, organize a little,

and finish up 'little projects.'

It's amazing how after doing this,

the clutter reappears, more projects pup up, and 

there's more to be done.

Maybe there are little elves that come at night

and rather than doing work,

they create work.

 Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches