We are all settled into Autumn now. I was a nice little blog break I had, and I have so much to share.
We have been sewing, knitting, canning, baking and cooking intermixed with homeschooling, reading, hanging wash, and tidying. All of that daily wonderfulness that I love.
The children and I are all settled into our Autumn routines. It feels so good to change gears and settle into a slow pace. I try and leave Thursdays and Fridays for *no running around* days. It is a nice starting point for the weekend when my hard-working hubby is home.
Well my hubby finally gave in and fixed the clothes dryer. I am a little relieved and a little sad. I have enjoyed so immensely the pleasure of hanging wash. I am grateful though that over the many, many rainy weeks we have here in Washington that I have the luxury of a dryer. After living without a dryer for the first time ever in my life, I am so much more aware of just how easy my laundry was and how I took it for granted. Never again. I am all about being grateful.
I will go back to hanging 100% of our wash in the Spring, but for now I will dry the majority of it. If you remember I also gave up the automatic dishwasher. I am sticking with that, except for on the rare occasion that I make such an incredible mess that I see no way out of it by hand-washing........which is about once a week :~)
We've turned on our gas fireplace a few times already, oh do I love a warm fire. Bliss.
We have had so many apples around here lately. What a blessing it is to be able to put up applesauce, cut apples, and apple jelly.
Here is some of our homemade applesauce. I have another huge basket of apples to process this week. With the price of apples this year, I am so grateful for all the apples we've received and have been able to pick.
Plums from our beautiful Italian Plum tree. We look so forward to these every year. YUM.
I pureed some of the plums and canned them for later use in muffins and quick breads. I can also add a little sweetener and use it like jam.
I am spending much of my spare time getting ready for the "birthday season". My 4 children were born in October and November, so I am busy making gifts and decorations for celebrating.
I am planning on having all Christmas gift preparations completed by November. I am loosely following the
Organized Christmas plan to help me stay organized.
I pray that you are all having a blessed and productive week. I am glad to be back.
In God's Love, Tami
I have been knitting a lot lately. I am loving the book
My oldest son snapped this photo of me for my avatar, I thought he did a great job! I am wearing the cowl I knitted from the book. I am making several of these for Christmas gifts.
Every so often I hand my camera over to one of the kids. I love the way children freely flitter about snapping photos of what interests them. I get a precious glimpse into their hearts and minds. Today, what interested my daughter was me knitting. A common sight this time of the year, here I am making another cowl.
She instructed me to make *heart-hands*,
I love this close-up she took. My hands look so hard-working, not pretty hands that's for sure.
In my world of big comfy overstuffed furniture, sometimes I crave a pretty spot to sit that fits me (and a few little people too).
It's been awhile since I've shown the little corners of my home. Not much changes as far as decor goes, but I do start to see signs of Autumn all around. Signs like a refreshed supply of wonderful yarn to make lots of gifts for birthdays and Christmas.
The comfy quilts come out, ready for a little person to come snuggle in Daddy's big chair.
The canner, a constant sight on my stove right now. So many wonderful jams and sauces put up for the winter.
An art box that stays out full time now, ready for any little project.
The last of summer's *mama flowers* given to me by my little princess. SO sweet.
September was all about tomatoes. They are still everywhere!
Look at this funny little tomato. Isn't it cute!
These little tomatoes in front are Red Currants, they are so great for salads and for snacking.
One of our favorite side dishes. Fresh homegrown zucchini, green beans, and Sweet Chelsea tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. SO yummy.
I am roasting tomatoes here. We made some yummy sauce with these babies. Aren't the beautiful? This recipe is from "Back to the Table" by Art Smith. A very beautiful book.
We made Jewels' quiche this past week. Oh, it was so yummy. We definitely need to make more than one next time. It was delicious served with coleslaw and warm rolls.
We are all settled into Autumn now. I was a nice little blog break I had, and I have so much to share.
We have had so many apples around here lately. What a blessing it is to be able to put up applesauce, cut apples, and apple jelly.
Here is some of our homemade applesauce. I have another huge basket of apples to process this week. With the price of apples this year, I am so grateful for all the apples we've received and have been able to pick.
Plums from our beautiful Italian Plum tree. We look so forward to these every year. YUM.
I pureed some of the plums and canned them for later use in muffins and quick breads. I can also add a little sweetener and use it like jam.
I am spending much of my spare time getting ready for the "birthday season". My 4 children were born in October and November, so I am busy making gifts and decorations for celebrating.
I am back with lots to share. We have been busy doing wonderful Autumn things!
