Clearing Buckthorn to Plant Oak

After 20+ years of chronic pain and a decade of environmental sensitivities, it is amazing to be back to outdoor work projects!

This oak was sprouting in our friends' flowerbed back in May. It grew in in our kitchen window all summer and finally found a new home in the edge of our woods.

But first, there was lots of buckthorn to clear.

Then a hole to be dug and filled with compost by our professional shovel-man!

Now, water, and wait to see if this little sprout does as well as the first oak tree planted on our place just a few years ago...

September in the Kitchen

This is the first year I have tried canning Chili and Autumn Soup. Nice, quick meals that don't need to be thawed from the freezer!

Mom grilled up a bunch of sweet Italian peppers to restock the freezer.

And Elsa has perfected her whole grain einkorn sourdough bread. She is now on to experimenting with kamut sourdough!

Stepping Back in Time

I'm so glad my sister's kids are growing up with annual visits to a local steam-thresher's reunion where they can get a better picture of the history of midwestern America. 

Some years we get to enjoy it right along with them!

There is always something more to learn, whether in the barn...

I didn't know turkeys had purple and teal around their eyes!

The man in the print shop answered so many questions.

And I also learned that I love the warm, reedy sound of an old pump organ! Now I understand old books better and how these instruments were prized in the parlors of small homes such as that of the Ingalls family in "These Happy Golden Years."  I wonder where I could fit one in our house...

September Flowers

September Harvest Begins

September was a time to freeze early apples...

pick Concord grapes...

...and can grape juice. 

We also enjoyed our first-ever moon flowers (after sunset).

Late Summer Days on the Edge of the Prairie

We are grateful for cooler breezes and refreshing nights in late summer.

More Wins | Staying in the Lake Cottage

One busy week in August, Elsa and I made the spur-of-the-moment plan to spend a night at the lake. Not only is it a huge win to be able to plan and pull off something quickly again, but we hadn't stayed in that building for at least 10 years due to mold sensitivities. 

Our garden made for colorful meals to pack. And though we forgot to bring a bouquet from home (the tradition among the family was Grandpa's favorite tea-roses), the Mountain Ash berries from the side of the cottage worked well in an antique from the kitchen shelves.

After spending the afternoon and evening with us, including watching a family of four loons and taking our first pontoon ride in a couple years, Mom and Dad went home while we enjoyed a fitful (damp) fire and a few more loon calls.

What a novelty to wake up in the loft my uncles added onto Great-Grandpa's tiny cottage 25 years ago, when indoor plumbing was also added for the first time!

Elsa's early morning splash convinced me to try this refreshing (chilly) mode of starting the day as well.

A later swim was warmer after a bunch of sweaty cleaning. And then home again with more "wins" under our belt on this healing journey.