Homemaking Mondays: The Season of Fall

Welcome to Homemaking Mondays! 

Today I'd like to share about the season of fall. 

Do you love fall? I do!  With it comes the change of colours, smells, and temperature.  For some the coolness is more welcome then for others.  Me, I love the crispness that begs for a shawl to envelope my shoulders, and nips at my nose.  Sadly though, it also means that I have to resort to wearing socks again. :)  

With fall comes new tasks in the garden, kitchen, and pantry.  There is garden produce to put up for the winter...either from your own garden or from the store.  It is good to have food that is saved when it is "in season" as it just tastes so much better and has more nutrition in it.  

I like to can jam, relish (this year I tried dill relish for the first time), and applesauce.  I put most everything else either in the freezer or dehydrated and tucked in the pantry. 

I find that a well stocked pantry is very important through the winter as often the weather inhibits us from going to town at times.  Plus it keeps me from wanting to buy more in the store when I'm there when I know I already have it stored away.  It's good to find things like meat on sale as well and store it away for when it is needed.  It's a time for making sure you have enough warm clothes and blankets for your family.  Sometimes this means making another quilt or buying some new item of clothing.

Proverbs 32:21-22

" She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple."

Proverbs 6:6-8

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."

Homeschool lessons are beginning and I love to see the eagerness that comes at the beginning of the fall.  The bringing out of new books is always fun and captures their attention.  Sometimes it's super quiet with them reading. :)  It's good to have lots of books where they are leaning things while they read, and not just for entertainment.  People often say you have to give children fiction for them to read...no, that's far from the truth.  Find a subject that  you child is interested in and find books that talk about it.  I have seen my children reach for an encyclopedia or book on natural disasters before a storybook.  Don't expect them to always want fiction...and you might be surprised where they gravitate towards.  

I was given this cute little desk and chair set by my father when we started homeschooling.  It was built for him by my great grandfather and has seen many years of use. It's now about 60 years old.  It was looking a bit worn so a fresh coat of paint really cheered it up.  We use it to store my younger children's school supplies in.  No more "Where is my pencil? " questions... it's all contained!!! 

Fall is a time for filling woodsheds, raking leaves, pulling out bird feeders and getting them ready to fill.  We fill our bird feeders here after the bears go to sleep. 

Lots to do outside in the lovely crisp air!  

One thing that I also love about fall are the walks in the forest, or just sitting outside taking note of the details of change.  The children and I talk about the changes we see, hear, smell, and taste (berries).  Soon we'll be cranberry picking and eating to. :)  

Take the time to enjoy the fall, to sit with a cup of tea or hot cocoa and watch awhile.  

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer