...and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools."
~ Henry Beston, Northern Farm
The days are colder (except today is quite in rare form as it is suppose to be 75* in Western PA!) and shorter. Night sets in early and when settled from the bustling of a busy day, we enjoy working on simple projects, movie watching, reading, and doing mad-libs (a cute, fun treat we do at the supper table!). I have such a love/hate relationship with these days....I get tired sooo much earlier than in the summer months (is 6:30 too early to go to bed?) and yet, I love the weather, the smell in the air and the slowness of the season!
One thing that I definitely dislike at this time, though, are the asian ladybugs that loiter around our doors and the outside of my home! I am allergic to their secretion. I have had them land on my skin in previous years and it causes me to break out in hives. Earlier last week I was sitting out on the front porch steps and one landed on my leg. I simply cringed and then flicked it away with my fingers (not remembering to go immediately wash my hands)...a little bit later, I must have touched my eyes because they began itching and burning terribly! I took out my contacts and poured in eye drops...but it was just miserable. My eyes got big and puffy and red. I had allergic conjunctivitis. So...as I waited for my eyes to heal, I wore my glasses around and was pretty miserable. Sunday evening I finally felt that my eyes were healed enough that I could put contacts in again....it was glorious! :) I am so thankful for the invention of contacts! ***So now, I am trying to keep my hands washed as much as possible because those horrid little creatures are everywhere! Dare I say I am ready for winter so the asian ladybugs go away/die? ;)
The chickens enjoy free-ranging in the afternoons as much as they can...for when winter hits, they will most-oft be *cooped* up in the coop!
We are well-prepared for winter this year. The woodshed is full of hard wood and there is more to split and stack! We also have some soft wood stacked beside the shed! Seeing the stacks of wood is such a comfort as we know we will be warm this winter. My husband is such a great man and hard worker. I am so, so thankful for him!
Madelyn and Jaxson talking with Daddy (Xavier was down with Pa and Ma, mowing)...
Our mornings are filled with schoolwork...
Xavier worked on some math while I hung some clothes out on the line...
My Ruthie-girl enjoying the sunshine...
"Come said the wind to
the leaves one day,
Come o're the meadows
and we will play.
Put on your dresses
scarlet and gold,
For summer is gone
and the days grow cold."
~A children's song from the 1880's
The trees are pretty bare...their leaves now blanket my yard. Our footsteps make a *crunch, crunch* noise with each step we take! The wind is tinkling my wind chimes outside and because of the warmer air today, I have the front door open! It is quite glorious!
Later this week, the colder (and I do mean colder) temperatures will set in upon us. So I am enjoying today to its fullest! The children are as well. They finished their schoolwork and made their lunches to take up and eat in the clubhouse. They are enjoying an afternoon of play!
I fully intend to spend my afternoon in a worthwhile fashion and not on this computer...so off I go! I pray your October is winding up beautifully and that you are looking forward to November!
Warmly,
Katy