What is it about fall that brings on a sense of nostalgia; colorful trees, piles of leaves, a nip in the air followed by pulling out our sweaters/jackets and the time when anything and everything is about apples and pumpkins? I even read the “pumpkin spice craze” has retailers devoting entire shelves to this seasonal product line. Whatever it is, it’s my favorite time of the year.
So far, we have been happily enjoying a vibrant outdoor color change this year that, if the weather holds, might continue for a while. I have seen some beautiful stands of red sumac framed by lovely yellow-gold trees while traveling the countryside. One annual event includes taking in various rural art studios during the annual art meander in eastern Minnesota. This year’s finds included numerous greeting cards, candles and a decorative cutting board made from old wood purchased at the Red Barn just north of Ortonville. There is always a diverse array of artists displaying at this venue so you see lots of variety in one place. Plus, the barn and surrounding property is a great backdrop for fall pictures. I would love to buy more paintings and photography but I am lacking wall space due to all our sliding barn doors that preclude hanging more wall art. I also took my annual trek to a friend’s pumpkin patch where there were lots of large orange and white pumpkins this year. Think I will haul a few back to Flagstaff this year.
I put my canning equipment away and hung up my table loom this weekend which will free up more time for outside gallivanting until Paul’s return several weeks from now when I will turn my attention to packing up the canned goods and preparing the lake house for the winter season. The boat and the dock have already been pulled out of the lake and I think the lawn mowing is behind us for the year. I pulled my tomato plants out and cleaned up my raised beds but could sure use some help with the rest of the fall yard clean up. Anybody know anybody up for such a job? I bought some spring flower bulbs that need planting which will motivate me to clean up at least part of my weed infested perennial bed this coming week.
My quilter friend and I headed out to attend the Watertown Quilt Show on Sunday. What a nice event with a manageable number of quilts to view and vendors to visit for a little retail therapy. If I hadn’t already acquired a handful of winter projects I could have snatched up a few lovely quilt kits on offer. My oldest childhood friend stopped by for a visit this weekend and we enjoyed hot herbal tea and poached pears with homemade vanilla custard. Yum! Another historic friend is stopping by tomorrow so I better start thinking about what to serve for lunch; maybe homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches will do the trick. Wish I hadn’t eaten all the applesauce-pear bread I made last week. I am looking forward to more such get-together’s in the years to come. Anyway, there are always places to go and things to do out here on the prairie; next up is my annual ride on my friend’s combine. Yippee!