Is It Spring Yet? PLEASE???

Last year, a large portion of the country saw a VERY long, record-breakingly bitter cold temps and copious amounts of snow winter. Looks like it will be more of the same into 2015.

I have NEVER been a big fan of the cold or snow, and even more so after I began driving and became a homeowner. Last night, a fellow member of #gardenchat on Twitter reminded us all that "It's only 129 days until spring!". That's 128 too long in my book... The long, cold, dark honestly puts quite a damper on my mood and energy level!

Sunday night, we received our first snow accumulation- about 3/4". High temps are only expected to be in the 20's until next Sunday. 3 of our hens, Pecker, Nosy and Dumpster have refused to leave the coop! I have been completely bundling up to complete the simplest of chores outdoors, including my snowpants, boots and Randy Parker style scarf wrapped all around my head (I CAN put my arms down...).

I've been trying to keep myself busy between housework and caring for the animals (which takes about twice as long in the winter, I have to carry hot water in gallon jugs from the kitchen sink to thaw the waterers!). In general, I start browsing the new season's seed catalogs just after the New Year, when the holidays have passed, and finalize and place my order around the first week of February. I am already finding myself looking at this past seasons' longingly. 

I've also been spending quite a bit on time on Pinterest browsing for craft ideas and various recipes to try. I've been interested in trying soapmaking for quite some time, perhaps this ridiculously cold weather is trying to tell me to something? Homemade soaps would certainly make nice handmade Christmas gifts...

Speaking of Pinterest and Christmas, I AM going to be trying out a dough ornament recipe I found. I will certainly share the recipe if it works out well for us. I thought giving the tree a new, rustic/old fashioned theme this year might be fun. We've already painted some store bought ceramic ornaments, too.

Honestly, I'm a little stumped for unique story ideas lately. It's much easier to come up with something when nature basically throws them in your lap for you from spring til autumn! Sure, I could post recipe after recipe, but if it gets redundant for myself, I can only imagine what the readers must think (LOL). I'll thank you in advance! Stay warm out there, folks!

* #gardenchat takes place on Twitter every Monday from 9-10 PM EST. If you'd like to participate, follow @TheGardenChat. You can also use the #gardenchat tag on Facebook and Instagram as well. Lots of great people sharing ideas and gardening knowledge through weekly themes! *

The Last Walk of Summer

Today marks the official last day of summer, although it's been feeling quite autumn-like here in southeastern Michigan since August, save a few days of "heat-wave" here and there. I took advantage of the sunny weather and went for my last walk of summer around the grounds here. 

Some photos around the grounds today.

It seems like the leaves started turning from summer green to autumn yellow, orange and red a little early this year to me. Everything has gone to seed, the soy and corn crops are dying back and ready for harvest. Perhaps it's just the older I get, the faster time seems to fly, especially summer, my favorite season.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the early days of autumn- there's still some gardening going on, the apple and herb harvests, and it's finally cool enough to comfortably use the canner. I love harvest style fall decorations- mums, pumpkins on straw bales, scarecrows, indian corn and unique gourds and squash.  It's just that I know what's coming next LOL!

As for us, our autumn tasks will include final herb harvest and dehydrating, trimming Deenis and Baa's hooves, winterizing the coop and barn, and replacing glass stall windows with plexiglass before the cold hits. We are preparing for another winter like the last, and if it's not as harsh, excellent!

If you live in the suburbs of metro Detroit or Toledo, but are looking to enjoy the autumn harvest, locally there are some nice, affordable activities for families going on. Carpenter Farms in Adrian (on 223 just east of town) is open to the public for hayrides, a corn maze, and pumpkin and straw bale sales. There's also Apple Charlies in Huron selling apples, pumpkins, cider and donuts. What is autumn without apples and pumpkins?

I'll be looking forward to all the decorations and festivities in the coming months. What is your favorite part of autumn? The food? The decor? The cooler weather? Let us know in the comments section below!