It seems like just yesterday that we were excitedly watching the big maple tree in our yard bud out with leaves, now we are raking those leaves along the side of the house to insulate against the winter wind. By the time new leaves are budding on the tree, these will be wet, compact and ready to go into the composter for a last transition before being spread on the garden where they will nourish next year's tomatoes. Somehow thinking about this year's leaves gives me real comfort in these days of confusing and turbulent national news.
All over town, people have piles of wood in their yards or already stacked in their wood sheds, barns and garages. We have 3 cords stacked, another 1-1/2 cords in the driveway waiting to be stacked and another 1-1/2 to be delivered. We have an oil furnace but the more wood we burn, the less oil we have to buy. We've been firing up the stove the last few evenings. Our little Jotul stove, heats the rooms we spend our evenings in and the heat floats up the stairs to warm the bedroom by the time we head up there.
In mid-September, before the first freeze, I brought the tomatoes still on the vine into the house and they have ripened by the south facing windows. The cats have occasionally used them for bowling, but I think that I've retrieved all the ones that rolled under furniture--if not, I suspect that I will find them in a diminished state while cleaning and you can be sure that I will take a picture to share!This afternoon, I am going to be able to go check on the beavers.
10 comments:
It's true, once it starts, the season seems to go into high gear. It's so much cooler here this week than last, and we'll soon see more color too. I'm secretly hoping you missed a tomato or two just so we can enjoy that post...lol. Have a beautiful weekend. :c)
Hi Beth. Enjoyed this post. I envy your wood pile. I wish mine was that big! I picked up some trunk pieces from a tree that was cut down on my street yesterday. But who will wield the axe to chop them up?
Happy fire lighting!
p.s. Glad you're following the captain's progress....I'll post later if I hear from him today. He may be in transit all day, but a wild hope in me that he'll land in Toronto by tonight...
Hi Beth,
Thanks for this post...don't you love when we actually get to enjoy autumn...versus going almost directly from summer to winter?
I, too, have a large maple, and I'm glad to read that I can compost the leaves -- where i will keep them during that period, I don't know yet, but will give it a go.
...and the picked tomatoes is a common sight -- I know that I've been using fresh tomatoes in almost every meal these days.
Autumn weekends are always special. A little more time to stop and enjoy the change in nature and be a part of that season. Blessings on your weekend,
Jayne, I remember southern autumns with fondness--they lasted so long--ours will be over in a few weeks and we'll be watching for snow.
Lavinia, I'm sure you can find any number of willing axe wielders--for some reason men enjoy chopping wood for women.
Sharon, I'm so excited about sharing our winters through cyberspace. I expect you'll have deeper cold and more wind, we'll probably have more snow--but we shall see!
Beth, it doesn't seem that long ago we were watching the snow melting off of your car. Your area is so pretty and I can imagine watching fall come with all it's glorious colors is breath taking. You will have to show us if the beavers have built their dam any bigger. What a great project for this time of the year.
Winter is quickly approaching unfortunately. What a great pile of tomatoes. They should keep you in the summer season for a while.
So pretty these messengers of winter. Pappy
Beckie, I know it wasn't that long ago--to tell you the truth, the skis and snowshoes are still in the living room--no point putting them away now.
Ruth, I wish there was some way to keep fresh tomatoes all winter. I've thought about growing them inside but I think that involves playing the part of the bee myself and that sounds complicated but I may try it. What is there to lose?
Texican, that was poetic and I expect nothing less from you.
Oh Beth! Colorful leaves and wood piles! I love wood heat and I love autumn. You are making me jealous even though I am still running around in shorts and a tanktop and the hummingbirds have arrived. There's just something wonderful about autumn in New England with the crisp, cool mornings, the fog on the river, and the trees changing colors. I love a cup of hot tea while sitting near a wood stove. I won't envy you in January, but I do envy you now! Have a cup of cider for me, will ya?
Wow, that's a whole lotta wood!!
I love the smell of woodsmoke coming from our fireplace chimney....won't be long now till it's fired up again!
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