It's unofficially fall...
...And now my butterfly bushes decide to bloom in all their glory!
Well, at least I'll get to enjoy them for a few weeks!
While the calendar says autumn begins on September 21st, here in the Northeast we see natural signs of the changing season during the first week of September. The seasonal change is marked by much cooler evenings with comfortably warm days, farmers making their last cutting of hay, mature grain crops almost ready for harvest, Labor Day, bonfires glowing in the evening, the first day of the new school year, and....yup..."pumpkin spice" everything is available at our local coffee shops and convenience stores! Yum!
It's also the time for us "zone 5a" gardeners to harvest our tomatoes and peppers!
Ours actually thrived this year, even as dry as it was. And, no blight this year, thank goodness!
Other veggies, like our cukes and cauliflower, did not do well at all. We'll try again next year!
Grace started school at our local public high school and career tech center this week. She excited about her "graphics communications" program. Rosie began really digging into her schoolwork, too. Mornings are eerily quiet in the house now, so the dogs have taken to wrestling...loudly and vigorously.... around 8:30am each day to liven things up for me and Rosie!
I am over halfway through my cosmetology program. Just a little over 4 months to go! Then, I'll be licensed to work in a salon or spa. I'm eager to begin my new career!
And, I am still glad I made the decision to go that direction at this time in my life.
Isaac is over three months old now, and continues to grow like crazy! I call him "the little prince" because he likes to take looong naps in the sunshine every morning and afternoon with his mama and Auntie Lexie standing guard. He whinnies and trots boldly up to the gate whenever he sees one of us coming, then expects us to scratch his rump. And, man, can he eat!
We actually have lots of pet names for him....especially when he attempts to take a chunk out of my arm... or rears up on Don... or kicks Rosie in the hip... But, I'm not gonna go there right now....ahem, El Diablo, Little Monster, Beastie, Devil Child...
Afterall, he's not meant to be a pleasure horse, right? I adore watching him gallop laps around the pasture, throwing in a ridiculous hop-n-buck combo every now and again. I've yet to catch his speedy, floating trot on video, but that's okay....it's our little secret!
Don and Rosie are working on getting him accustomed to having equipment on his back and around his belly...for now, that's Rosie's old sweatshirt wrapped around his midsection. He's becoming more cooperative about having his legs and feet handled....some days. But, Rosie and Don respond to any "shenanigans" with calm, consistent persistence...
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| Yes, he is trying to bite Don in this photo, but he was unsuccessful...this time! |
And, on the maple syrup front....
We bottled the last of our 2016 syrup, finally! Back in March, time was of the essence, so we stored some syrup in food-grade drums for later bottling.
Our son, Nate, who lives in south-eastern PA now, has been selling quite a bit of our syrup down there! He called on Sunday asking us to get busy with the bottling so his supply doesn't run out!
Fall and winter are the perfect time for enjoying maple syrup on pancakes and waffles, in your coffee, drizzled over apple or pumpkin pie and much more....
So, don't delay! Stock up soon! Let us know how much you need!
Stay tuned for more gorgeous fall photos and the adventures of the Westbrook Family.
The signs of autumn are everywhere here, too! Farmers are already harvesting corn, and tobacco. The soy beans have a long way to go. There is a hint of color on the trees, too, at least the ones that turn early.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the girls are doing well. And so are you! So excited for you!
I noticed hints of color in the trees just a couple of days ago. I hope the weather cooperates and we get a spectacular show of colors this year that lasts several weeks. Hope all of you are well! Can't wait to see those new baby photos! Only a few more weeks, right?
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