The Cottage Grounds in Fall

It seems preparing for winter is much like preparing for summer. There doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to do all that needs to be done, especially when husband and wife are of the hard-working sort. My husband and I, along with our children tend to be hands-on workers. We tend to do things the 'old' way, much like our grand-parents did. For some reason, it gives all of us joy to work our bodies while doing chores. No need for expensive gym memberships here!
While a few of my kiddoes are sick with colds, ear infections and fevers, the rest of us were out enjoying the sunshine and fresh, crisp air... even the sick ones were out for a little bit... Here's a little glance of what got done today after a trip to the doctor for the sickees and a trip to the pharmacy for some antibiotics...

These guys have over-stayed their welcome in the garage. Meat chickens tend to be stinky! Time for them to move...

to their new home way out back! They'll stay here, unless my husband moves them to the now vacant turkey-coop, until D-Day. Then we'll fill part of our freezer with juicy, delicious, all-natural chickens.

Laundry is another daily chore. Sadly, my out-door clothes hanging will come to an end until spring. That is one of my favorite times of day; a very peaceful time, reflecting on each member of my family as I hang their washing. Oddly enough, I pray for them many days as I hang their laundry.

Lots of leaves needed to be raked and dragged to the back,

and the garden needed cleaning...

Some stacked wood needed to be moved from the side yard...

to the front porch, where we'll enjoy toasty meals and conversation...

in the kitchen.

Misty, our kitty was sleeping on the windowsill ledge, enjoying the wood fire while the rest of us were stacking wood outside the window. Then came time to...

assemble ingredients and make dough for tonight's dinner, and make rolls for tomorrow night's dinner.

Tonight it was calzones...

It was really yummy...

These hamburger rolls are for tomorrow night's dinner: Maid-rites. If you've never had one, you've got to try one... they are delicious. I learned about them from the Wild Prarie Rose blog. Hit my side-bar to visit...she's just delightful!

Fall is Busy

Turkey frying...

fall planting...

applesauce making...

canning...

and even a bit of sewing...
It's been a wonderful week so far and I'm sooo grateful!

A Scenic Sunday Drive

Fall in the Berkshires is one of the most beautiful times of the year in one of the most beautiful places in the northeast. O.K., maybe I'm a little biased, I admit it, but the colors are just stunning and the scenery typical calendar material. Today we decided to take a day-trip. I am famous for waking up on a week-end morning and throwing together a picnic lunch, loading the kids in the van and directing hubby to some out-of-the-way destination.
As we traveled the backroads of Connecticut we saw many farms, animals, fields and country homes. Antique shops were everywhere, but I wanted to get to Millerton, New York to a store called Sapersteins,a by-gone department type store that you can't find anymore. I go there every year to get my kids sleepers, flannel PJ's and winter jackets. Their prices are pretty good and the merchandise is not flashy, just sensible. Perfect for nightwear. Then on to Harney Tea; a snooty tea shop complete with tasting room. I love to go there to purchase quality loose tea. After there,we went on to Kent, Connecticut, to Belgique Patisserie & Chocolatier. This place has the most DELICIOUS hot chocolate I have ever had and I travel there about an hour and a half from home several times a year just to get a cup. Now I gotta tell ya, these places are unbelievable. Harney's and Belgique are where the upper-crust of Connecticut and New York come to get their tea and hot-chocolate. And yes, we come rattling up in the 15 passenger van to join the Mercedes, Audi's and Land Rovers. You can google in Harney's Tea Room in Millerton, New York to get a peek and also Belgique Patisserie & Chocolatier in Kent, Connecticut to see the charming place there, too.
The pics above are just a bit of scenery along the way. We truly had a wonderful family day... can't wait for the next road/day trip!

Fall Kitchen Table

Here are a couple pieces of counted cross-stitch I did. I bring them out each fall to adorn our kitchen table. Between the aroma of the Yankee Candle burning and the apple pie in the oven, our home is just oozing Fall!