Update, Swimming Hole Pics + Fall Garden

It’s been kind of a long week – I started teaching my Adult Ed classes, the kids’ had their first full week of activities (nothing got cancelled, no one was sick!), and Chris had a tough week with cranky customers and not as many sales etc. as he was hoping for.

All four cords of wood are loaded in the shed though, and it was a group effort of the kids and Chris. I raked the spot this morning, and folded up the tarps, and it was done. Feels great to have that all in the shed. (hopefully the shed won’t fall down with all the weight…)

The freezer is getting F.U.L.L. Over the weekend Madelyn shucked about 4 dozen ears of corn. One dozen got used… in something I forget, but the rest went into the freezer. Owen & I got more today – another dozen for the freezer, and a dozen for some corn chowdah. SO GOOD. I think there are about five bags of corn in there now. I also got a final round of tomatoes – 50lbs worth. I roasted the first batch today – the rest aren’t quite ripe. So that made two more containers of roasted tomatoes. I’m also going to make some more Roasted Veggie soup, and freeze it before adding the broth. Kind of like veggie soup concentrate. We had it last week and it was good. I think it would be even better with some white beans and/or little pastas in it.

We’re going to the apple orchard with our favorite homeschool crowd tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to it. The weather looks lovely, and I could use the fellowship and the kids will enjoy the other kids. We’ll pick some Jonagolds and more Galas. I stopped by the farmstand around the corner from my house and they have the best bulk apple prices (about $0.55/lb) for Cortlands. I’m going to get 40lbs, to mix in with the Jonagolds and Galas for applesauce. I’m also hoping to try some apple chutney and apple preserves. I’m not sure what mix of apples I’ll use for that – I have Paula Reds which are my favorite baking apple, so I’ll probably put those in the apple preserves.

I’m also going to get 20lbs of butternut squash sometime next month too. They keep so well, and I only got four runty ones from my garden, plus two more that are good-sized, but not done ripening yet. I don’t think we’ve ever had so much food in the pantries and freezer. And the least amount ever is jams, which is as it should be.

Madelyn’s still not having fun in band. She had a good time at a martial arts party she went to last weekend, and I have a dinner/playdate for her tomorrow – going to be a long day with the orchard field trip, plus violin group lessons/orchestra/chamber, then a friend, but I think it’ll be okay.

Then Saturday the kids are playing at a different apple orchard with their violin group, after Owen’s soccer. And then we’ll go to a little fall festival at our local garden center. Lots of fun! We have Epic to watch, too. I’ve been loving the air popper I drug up from the basement. It’s much quicker than the microwave/brown paper bag trick, which is good, but our microwave doesn’t turn anymore, so it didn’t work well, and I had to do it so many times to make enough for all four of us. They sing with the kids’ choir on Sunday in church too.

So, here are some pictures from the swimming hole we went to after camping, back over Labor Day weekend. It was warm enough to swim, and so beautiful. We try to get to this spot once a summer.

Chris leading the kids up along the rocks to the waterfall:

Coming back down in the current:

My friend and I scrambled over/around the rocks up the stream, which is more fun, but less manageable for children. It’s like underwater rock climbing, with a fast-moving current pushing you back. Victory! to get to the top, and let the power of the water rush past while you cling to a rock. It feels like the whole stream goes by, which is practically does. And then – let go, and get swept back down. Very fun. The water has worn the rocks super-smooth. It would be fun to go up sometime when the snow is melting and see how full/fast the stream is.

Owen is ready for the next adventure:

And here are some pictures of the fall garden… The gourds that did so well:

Too bad the butternut squash didn’t do half as well. And all my green tomatoes!

So much blight and not enough hot weather…

Tons of greens:

A few pumpkins, and huge bushy Brussel Sprouts. I don’t know yet whether they’re going to actually PRODUCE anything or not. I’ve never grown them before…

Pretty flowers – gladiola I planted super-late, after I got back from PA:

Sedum:

The rudbeckia did awesome this year – they practically glow:

Asters & rudbeckia:

Cimicifuga (bugbane) may be my new favorite fall flower. The lacy foiliage is gorgeous, and I didn’t realize it has a wonderful scent that perfumes the whole yard. I’m going to have to find another spot to put one in, closer to the house!

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The bees love it too:

I just love this photo:

Bubs on the woodpile, after half of it had been delivered. He had so much fun playing on it – made stairs and a picnic table and a cat jail (!!??!!).

Going to go tuck some kids in & read my book – the new Louise Penny mystery.