Getting Ready for the Colder Weather

        Fall, my favorite season of the year!!!

   Sunday was Jeff's only day off this weekend so we made the most of it.  He got the air conditioner taken out of the window and everything cleaned up.  He also worked on the pellet stove and we will give it a the run later in the week when things cool down further. 

   While Jeff worked on that, I got busy on getting the laundry caught up.  I also made two loaves of bread, a spaghetti skillet dinner from scratch and a squash casserole.  I then froze a gallon of blackberries, picked from our garden, to take over to my mother when we go see her for Thanksgiving.  Her bushes did not do as well as mine did and I want to make sure she gets some to make jam with.

   Other ways that we have been getting ready for the colder weather is by making more herb salts with herbs from our garden.  I'm going to make a variety of flavors this year, sage salt, lemon thyme salt, basil salt, as well as Tuscan herb salt.  Some of these will go into my spice cupboard, and others will be used for gifts.  I also need to dry more oregano and basil.  

   More apples have been picked, with even more on the tree, that need to be made into applesauce and canned.  I have run out of space in my two large freezers which are stuffed with berries, applesauce, pureed squash and other things that I have picked up and put away.  The pantry continues to be stocked and a list compiled of things that I find that I am low on.  I will pick those things up as I find them.

   This week blankets and quilts will be gone through and washed and then dried and folded, ready for layering on our beds as needed.  The Fall decorations will be brought out and I will start decorating our home for my favorite season.  I already have a scented candle out and have been enjoying it.  There is just something so special about the changing of the seasons and I intend to enjoy it to the fullest.