Autumn

A rainy spell has settled into hickery holler. A cold rain has fallen off and on for the last week including today. In between rains, when the sun does come out, the hills and hollers seem to be on fire with color. The show is here for only a short time until the rain knocks the leaves to the ground and then it will be over until next autumn so we enjoy it while we can. This is one of my favorite times of the year here on the farmstead and I wonder how I survived the South without ever experiencing a true fall show of the colors. Every location I have ever lived in has it's own unique beauty and here is no exception. The sunrises and sunsets on these colors are simply breathtaking.  

And as the leaves fall in the yard we rake and fill the compost piles with as many as possible to add to that supply of compost for next year. A rake that pulls behind the lawn tractor makes a really easy job of getting all those leaves up. 

Our neighbor across the road called and offered us some walnuts as it seems his trees made this year. Mine did not. They are much younger and the late spring snow seems to have pretty well done in the  walnut crop for this year. His bloom at a different time. So O wise One and I went and picked up walnuts and they are now in the gravel driveway to e ran over by the tractor and cars to break off the shells.  

We also picked up our first small bowl of pecans last week.  

We have butchered 18 chickens so far and still have turkeys, rabbits and turtles left to butcher. Lots of good healthy meat and broth is going in the freezer and pantry.  

I also wanted to give a heads up to those of you new to maintaining a pantry. Now is a great time for cutting those baking supply coupons. Things like flour, salt, sugar, condensed and evaporated milk, creamed soups, chocolate chips and yeasts always go on sale this time of year with everyone baking for the holidays. It's a great time to take advantage of those coupons in the Sunday paper and those Holiday sales and stock up for the year.  I bought sugar, flour and some canned milk and chocolate chips to store while it was cheaper and I had coupons. Found some great deals! This is the time of the year to buy sugar especially. 

Also I wanted to give you a heads up that NOW is a great time to order seeds. Many of the seeds companies run clearance sales in the late fall. Some will even put them on ebay for clearance. I bought some small pea seeds at a deep discount and some lettuce seeds. Stored in a cool and dark place they will be ready to plant come March when I need them and at some great prices too. This is a great way to build up that stock of seeds at a savings. Many seeds if stored properly last for years! 

Blessings from The Holler

The Canned Quilter