FIRST FROST - TGIF

We had our first frost this morning - and thus ends our official growing season on Sept 27th.  Michael and I had covered a few squash plants and my carrot/kale bed. I still am hoping to use the tomatoes in the greenhouse. I have a strainer on order so I can process them as soon as it arrives.

8 a.m.

Stacia asked me to delay letting the chickens out so Dash could enjoy the chicken yard. Now there's a nice pet owner. She went out in the frosty cold and let Dash run around. Dash had a fantastic time.

This is becoming a routine. I run out for Dad's paper. Benny sees me come in and comes upstairs as soon as he can to join dad in reading the paper. ::snort::

He wasn't about to share with Bachan.

Road runner  continues to fly over the fence. Phoenix, the roo pictured below, can fly in and out as well.  I keep thinking they'll get heavy enough not to be able to do this....Phoenix seems to like to perch higher than the hens and crow. LOL 

It was a busy week as we harvested, felled trees, decorated, schooled and started Bible study and Life Group. As Krista noted - "it's a lot," but all things we feel called to participate in or lead.  We've cut back from last year and it feels like a lot - but doable.  Nevertheless, by Friday afternoon I was tired and fell asleep while Stacia, Dad and I were watching a Heartland episode.

We finished the week with pizza and a movie.

Fall - Decor, Scenery, Routine

Stacia and I began the day going to our favorite cafe for our Bible study. On our way home we noted clouds climbing up our mountain range. 

By the time we reached the bridge on our way home, the clouds had totally covered the mountains. We couldn't see any of the mountains that ring our area. We pushed through the fog and as we turned up our street.....ShaZam! The mountain returned! Love the fall colors! Who knew? White is a fall color in Alaska, too!

Stacia and I have been itching to get the fall decorations up. Our goal was to have them up before Life Group began. Life group started tonight. We hit the ground running when we got home. My phone isn't focusing well...I may take real photos and replace these.

Krista made these darling pumpkins at a women's gathering in September. We were just driving into town from the trip to Oregon and missed it. 

Moved the fall kokechi doll front and center....added the quilt and a wooden hangy thing. 

So maybe having a dresser in the entry way can be useful. 

Benny spotted this immediately. 

I'm using the frankenpumpkins for decorations. 

After my "Yikes its fall," post last week some have been concerned. We are feeling much better now that we are settling into fall, have the decor up, our fall schedule back in place, and are getting a handle on some of the many "fall projects."

Life Group began - we had 16....so I need to play with the chairs a bit as one of our regular couples weren't able to make it. We're going to be working through an Oswald Chambers book, The Ultimate Refuge.  I look forward to the Bible we discuss and the ways our lives touch each other as we join together.

The group had pity on me when they saw how MUCH squash I have left. I have put up 50 quarts, baked 8 batches of muffins or breads...AND they all took 2 big ones each. I still have this many left....but it seems more manageable. I've been informed these are Alaska sized zucchini and they will taste just fine. I loved that no one was intimidated by the sizes.  The small ones were left. Praise God. ::snort:: I may be planting way less squash next year.

A funny from life group. Krista and Arielle had gone up to Hatcher's Pass. They ran into lots of snow. Our normal road is closed for the season. They walked around and made a snow man. I commented, "I need to go up and see the snow." Jacque made me laugh when when she commented, "Why? It will come down here." ::snort:: It makes me laugh every time I see the termination dust moving down the mountain or think about the impending snow. It's an Willamette Valley thing ingrained in me...lets go to  the mountains and see the snow. LOL

Benny Takes Over the Upstairs

Tuesday we made apple zucchini muffins (A-Z muffins) - lots of them - but I didn't take photos. I used applesauce and monk fruit and they were a yummy, sugar-free treat for dad...well, no sugar ADDED...though there IS sugar in apples....

Tuesday was our first Gather Bible study of the year.  It's going to be good. I am looking forward to having a couple of new facilitators on board this year.

Wednesday was our Benny day this week. Dad loves the days I watch Benny. I do too. ::snort::

Photo from Arielle

I am NOT done with all my canning, dehydrating and such...but it is time to clear the hearth in preparation for upcoming fires. "We" carried the pressure canner, two water bath canners, 2 dozen quart jars and 2 dehydrators downstairs.  We also carried the applesauce and pickles down to the shelves in the laundry room.

Papa likes Benny days too....their duets are awesome indeed. 

Somehow Benny convinced GG he would like to take a nap with him.... or so GG informed me. 

Dad loves to share how Benny played him. As soon as he fell asleep Benny was OFF.  He did go down for a nice nap. I sealed the frozen squash. 

In the afternoon Michael, Alex and Dad continued to work on brush. Stacia and I harvested garden produce. The first frost is predicted so we harvested the corn that looked edible, squash, beets, some kale, and cauliflower.

Alaska sized zucchini

Benny was full of energy in the afternoon at just the time Papa was ready to nap. 

We are experiencing quite a variety in eggs as the pullets begin to lay. 

Dinner was ready at 5. This is new on Tues, Wed and Thursday (all church nights for us). Last year we just skipped or scarfed down dinner.  We had the kids at church at the new youth group time...it's quite a race to get them there at 6 p.m. but it is nice to have the home earlier in the evening...and nicer still that Krista can drive them home. 

Dad and Michael ran a few errands during youth group. I worked out and enjoyed the stillness of the house - Nolan was in bed and EVERYONE else was gone. 

A man and his fire....he stayed out and tended it late into the night. 

Monday Projects

Monday was a sad day for our family - I'll write about it later, everyone is fine!  Enough said for now.

As we often do, we process by doing....the boys spent the afternoon finishing the Birch tree from yesterday....It was so pretty at the bottom.....

Alex is becoming quit the pro. 

 And very dead at the top. 

Nolan manned the fire today. 

Stacia and I stayed busy inside. We did a bit more baking. I prepared for the start of Bible study tomorrow. Then we worked on a joint project. We took everything out of the pantry and ORGANIZED IT AGAIN! This time we labeled the shelves. Anyone who can read should be able to assist in keeping it organized.

A place of beauty. 

 I cleared one shelf to be able to bring some of the canning up from the basement. 

Some Work and Some Welax!

The week began with a bang....church, lunch out with BreZaak, us all, and Josiah, and then an afternoon at home with Josiah, Arielle and Benny.  I believe Cory was working.

Alex and Michael have been busy felling trees all week. Most have been due to the spruce beetle but today they took down a Birch which was hollow at the top....Birch burns well....and this tree will do better keeping us warm than swaying in the wind. We hate cutting down trees. We are planting evergreens, fruit trees and hope to plant some Birch and Aspen to replace these that are sad and dying. 

Alex's chainsaw gave up - its been a busy week. 

As the men wrestled with the birch, Arielle suggested we go walk along the river. This plan was met with great approval by the gals and Benny. Who knows how much longer we'll have the fall colors to enjoy?  I love the fall colors against the backdrop of the snowy mountains. 

Auntie CoCo is very cool. 

Coco and Benny take advantage of their cool boots

 Love the colors...we live in the foothills below the thumb - the arrow points the way. LOL 

So beautiful - Pioneer Peak

 Goofy Sisters! 

Stacia, Arielle and Krista across the front

 I tried - I never got all 3 together. 

Glacial silt - it's clay like and VERY sticky. 

Benny enjoyed everything about this afternoon. 

River Ballet? 

No, throwing rocks in the water.

We left the river in time for Arielle and Benny to go babysit the D kids.  We stopped by CoRielle's new house so I could see the work they've been doing.

Benny demonstrates how to sweep up construction mess

 Benny was excited to welcome Bachan (grandma, aka me) to the shed. LOL 

Krista, Stacia and I came home and found GG enjoying the afternoon beside the fire. 

The guys were burning little branches and such. Dad and Krista hauled branches to the fire ring and Krista took over feeding the fire and hosing down the yard. I've been assured this was quite safe. 

I grabbed a few photos of fall colors at home. 

The 4 trees we planted are doing well. 

Stacia and I spent some time loving on Yuuki. The 3 of us went for a wonderful walk. 

Stacia and Yuuki

We ended this portion of the day with s'mores around the fire. Didn't see that coming, did you?