Pumpkin Pie Anyone?

Here is the only large pumpkin from the two plants that I got in June, that's one more than I thought would come from them.  I'm going to save some seeds and see what happens next year.

Some treats from a friends garden, I hope to plant some kind of squash next spring, not sure I will have room for potatoes??

Waiting on the vine to become grape jelly! 

A treasure found at a local estate sale $5, it is painted and needs a little TLC, but I couldn't pass it up!

In the sewing room....................

I am ready to add the batting and backing and complete this project.  I have also been working on a few of my UFOs.....you know the ones that you keep hearing about! 

Had an appointment with hubby in MA and a few other busy things as well, not to mention that the weather has been rainy.  Today is a beautiful fall day, but more rain is expected in the coming week. 

We are also working on the chicken coop "yard addition" in stages.........

Not sure if you can see it.....but the wall that divided the older hens from the pullets has been changed out (we made the original one removable) so that there is now a door on a pulley so we can introduce the pullets......The introductions are not going as well as I had hoped, the older hens are real "bullies", the younger ones cower in the corner or run into the coop to get away from them, I'm hoping that gets better with time.  We have also made the "base/bottom for the addition and will continue to work on it between rain showers. 

As for the wood......well I may fall a little short on getting it in by the 30th of this month, but I will keep plugging along.

I still need to contact the blog owner where I got the laundry soap recipe then I can get the exact recipe and my other photos.  Next week I hope to make my first batch of soap........

Last and certainly not least, could you please keep my blog friend Lisa in your prayers.

Happy Fall!

September Days..............

Here's what I've been up to.

Raspberry picking at this beautiful farm....................

 Made jam after picking them........

In the sewing room, I finished this quilt top several weeks ago and have been cutting the squares for a pieced backing......................

I also went to a fabric yard sale at a local church and found these fabrics...................

I also found some books and a few sewing notions, I've already put them away. 

Started working on this penny rug for MYSELF, I've had the pattern and materials for over a year and decided it was time to work on it.

I've been sewing with friends several times recently, it's sooooo much fun when you get together with a group of friends and sew and chat, oh and eat! 

I have also made some laundry soap using these ingredients, I'll share the link and my "how to photos" in another post.

I have also gathered the supplies and the courage to make my own soap, I will try to share photos when I make it.......but since I will be working with caustic stuff I may be a little too involved to take many photos.  Not sure exactly which day I will make it but soon!

I've pulled the plants from the garden and have loaded 4 truckloads of wood, my sons have helped to bring some of it inside.  I have about 3 more loads and then we should be set for the winter, I am feeling like my goal of September 30 to have it all inside is looking good.

Hoping to be a little more consistent with my posts, but I'm making no promises, LOL!

It's Fall......Time to Organize and Purge!

Irene has come and gone, power was out for just a short time.....not a real hardship for us as we have a generator.  We really were not bothered by Irene much just a few extra branches and one small tree that cracked......my family and home are intact, prayers answered.  Please keep those in Vermont in your prayers. 

Been busy getting started on the WOOD for winter, once that is in and out of the way we will be able to get the area where next year's larger garden will go!  We also had to get another area in the yard prepared to put the wood that still needs to be cut and split for next year. 

It doesn't look like I've done much in the above photo but I have already moved 2 truck loads out by the back door ready to come inside.  My goal this year is to have the wood in by October 1, I'll keep you posted on my progress. 

Earlier this summer I transplanted two very large pumpkin plants that were going to be thrown away, the seeds are from pumpkins that a local man uses to grow his HUGE pumpkins.  I really didn't think they would survive as the plants didn't seem to like being disturbed from their pots but as you can see in these photos the plants have taken over a corner and the loam pile.  I don't have many pumpkins, one of them was doing well but one day I noticed that the skin had cracked almost like it grew too fast. 

The next photo is the largest pumpkin........

All those pallets and the loam pile will be taken care of once the pumpkins are finished, that is all part of the "garden prep" plan. 

I haven't gotten much done in the sewing room as I have been busy doing some major organizing of draws, closets, etc........On Monday our next door neighbor was broken into (while they were gone) in the middle of the day.......that really got me to thinking about the important stuff (not necessarily the valuable stuff), two of their jewelry boxes were taken that contained mementos from their life, stuff that is priceless........you know like the boy scout pin from a son, etc.  A perfect time to "clean house" for me, and that I did yesterday......I was up past 11pm working in one room, I did have to catch up on paperwork, too, that took quite a bit of time.  It's raining again today so I will continue in the other rooms, it will be a nice start to Fall having tidy spaces.

I'm also still working on perfecting my yogurt making.  I made fresh from scratch french bread recently, my own homemade deodorant, planning on making homemade soap and homemade laundry soap, and of course getting my butt back in the sewing room.  Definately enough to keep me out of trouble for the coming winter.

Enjoy your day!