Homemaking Mondays: Preparing for Fall

Hello! 

Today I'd like to share with you some of the 

preparations I'm making for fall.

Yes fall! 

Here in the Yukon it's upon us and the temps are dropping

and the colours changing. 

The garden flowers are starting to fade,

although some of the heartier ones are still 

looking vibrant and lovely!

The ducks have started to gather together.

The squirrels are fluffing up their nests 

and the mice are looking for warm places to 

live for the winter.

I'm not going to be sharing my home 

with them though. 

I have been doing a bit more canning. 

I made tomato soup, salsa

and banana jam.

Now I've since learned that banana jam 

doesn't last long so I won't be making a huge 

amount of it to store.

It sure is delicious though!

I've pulled out my sourdough starter from the fridge

and woke it up to make more 

delicious sourdough breads.

This loaf I baked in my dutch oven 

and then listened to the delightful

crackling sounds as it cooled. 

The colours are starting to creep into the green.

Down close to the water's edge the scrub birch are starting 

to show their lovely hues.

The bear berry leaves are brilliant red, 

and some of the Labrador tea have gone a bit orange.

The timber berries are bright orange now with the lovely 

reddened leaves.

The sap in the trees is running again...but down to the roots. 

In places you can see these fun little drops

on the evergreen trees.

Now is not time to be tree hugging...

unless you want to be stuck to one.

The fungi are abundant this year and 

as we tromp through the woods we discover their varied 

and interesting shapes and colours.

In the garden the rhubarb is starting to show off it's bold colour

letting us know that it's done for the season.

The garden is finishing up it's growing and with the cooler temps

and this year with the rain it's not doing much more.

Some root veggies will stay for a few more weeks

and the potatoes if I can keep them from getting 

frozen off. 

For the beans and lettuce, tomatoes and squash

it's time to finish up the last of the harvest and 

prepare their soil for winter.

I learned from a wise permaculture friend

that the soil needs bedding down for the 

winter as well. 

To help the bacteria and micro organisms that 

help our plants grow to overwinter well. 

I'll be adding some extra compost and soil 

as a mulch.

I personally love the fall.

So this time is just a time for doing new things,

enjoying new smells and new tastes.

I bought a pumpkin patch candle...

and it's time to start making pumpkin spice bread as well.

Then there is the lovely season for starting to drink the tea 

from the herbs that I've been harvesting all summer. 

This year I've been blessed to have some 

chamomile, mint, yarrow, calendula, sage,

spruce tips, fireweed, and red raspberry leaves. 

Do you love the fall? 

What kinds of things change for you in the fall time?

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer