Ushering in Autumn

Good evening, Friends!  Well, today was the kind of day that reminds me why I love autumn in the Northeast.  Bright sunshine, azure sky dotted with fluffy, white clouds, and a light breeze.



It was about 68 degrees and DRY today, after a few days of damp, rainy weather.  It felt GLORIOUS to be outside!  And, the vegetation is just hinting at  it's vibrant fall colors, to be revealed in the coming weeks.

 

I breathed deeply... that crisp, fresh air while on my daily walk to the field at the top of the hill today.  The dogs bounded through the field, and tracked critters through the woods.  I love the way the trees filter the sunlight in autumn.  Depending on the time of day I walk, I get a completely different picture.

Tig in nearly six months old now.  He's grown so much since his arrival on May 26th - 33lbs. at his mid-August check-up!

Being in a family of yellow labs, he's beginning to pick up "lab" behaviors.  My little Aussie shepherd thinks he's a hunting dog, flushing game and hurling himself into bodies of water after critters!  Now, if he could get that "retrieving" part...

I soak it in - not just the sights of early autumn, but the sounds, too.  The geese overhead announce their presence as they head south.

 


 
Meanwhile, Don was thrilled to have one of his days off coincide with sunshine!  He and the boys had a perfect afternoon to exercise his resourcefulness on our new, larger chicken coop.  He's building it with materials we already have around the farm.  I'll be sure to share that project as it progresses.

After a delicious fall meal of turkey, mashed potatoes and carrots, I walked out to the pond with the dogs, and got a few early evening photos.

Then, a sweet family from Staten Island, New York City stopped by to purchase some maple syrup.  I so enjoy having people stop in for some syrup and a chat!  Our supply is dwindling, however.  We're down to about eight quarts!  Thankfully, only 5 months to go until the 2015 sap run!

He's getting so handsome, isn't he?