Independence Days Update, It RAINED! Winter Approaching

I add my own touch to the sticky note

Independence Days Update-

1. Plant Something- Nothing til spring.

2. Harvest Something- Eggs, collard greens, herbs (no hard freeze yet).

3. Preserve/Store Something- Been adding things to the freezer- bread, butter, veggies. I'm done canning and dehydrating for now.

4. Manage Reserves- Get A Good Deal/Barter/Stock Up/Prep- Watching for good deals at the store, keeping the pantry and freezer stocked. I found some great frozen Marie Callender's lasagna at the grocery outlet. I can't even make it from scratch for $9.00! It has a LOT less salt than the other brand I used to buy. Got some free apples from a friend. Rain barrels are full from the first storm that blew thru. Dave got a good deal for the new coop light at a building supplies thrift store. Got some free fruit from a work pal. Can't say who he/she is :)

5. Eat the Food- Try New Foods/Recipes- Eating more collard greens, healthy stuff! Made baked eggs, and some jambalaya! Making bigger batches of stuff to save time and use leftovers better. I always roast 2 chickens at a time when I do that, and that makes for simple dinners over several nights. Using applesauce from the freezer, veggies, misc. stuff from pantry.

6. Build Community Food Systems- Selling extra eggs each week! Farmer's markets are winding down.

7. Recycle/Re-Use- Compost as always, leaves are starting to fall, will add those to the flower beds for winter protection. Rain barrels are full. Cleaned the coop and all the pine shavings went into the veggie garden, yummy! Table scraps to the hens.

8. Skill Up- Getting a new book to read about surviving the depression. Learned how to make sprouts for chickens! Recently treated "bumblefoot" on my one hen. What fun :)

9. Regenerate What is Lost/Salvage Something- Hmmm, still thinking about that. Dave cleaned the gutters before the storm, good timing.

  
From the local news- Storm outside Boise before it hit. I always forget to take pictures of the RAIN!

It RAINED! Winter Approaching-
Now that it finally rained the dust has settled, and leaves are coming down. I went from a polar fleece jacket in the morning and fuzzy gloves to a light coat and thicker gloves (I do morning bus duty). Switched to long sleeves, but still cotton blouses. I'll be in flannel and corduroy shirts soon for work. I love those in the winter since it's 70+ in the winter inside my work area. I wish I could turn down our boiler. Old building, oh well. It's hitting the upper/mid 30's at night and today it was 65. Nice. My oregano and thyme hasn't frozen yet. We haven't had a full fledged freeze yet but soon, maybe next week. 50's for the highs next week, that means winter soon! I am so ready. This was THE longest, hottest summer I can remember, with NO summer rain storms. I just hope we get some SNOW this winter! Snow day!!!!

                        

                       I know it's early, but I can dream can't I?