***
After what has been one of the hottest, most wearisome summers in my memory, it seems that the autumn season has finally, completely (mercifully!?) clunked into place. We had our first snowfall, which began on Wednesday night by way of a steady rain. I was delighted to see this, so armed with an umbrella and steaming tea in a to-go cup, I ventured out for an enchanting night walk. And an hour after I got back, the rain switched over to snow, falling fast and blowing sideways, blizzard style. By that time the two of us and the cat were all squashed together on the couch, side by side by side, vegging out in front of PBS. A cozy, snowy night.
The next morning, we awoke to the wonderland you see above. Cold and still and silent.
I love the snow because it’s so peaceful.
***
If we back up a little bit, though, Tuesday was a gorgeous day with temperatures in the mid-70s, and I was out in shorts and a tank top getting the last of the garden chores in order. It was a busy garden day and I was exhausted at the end, but the progress felt good.
Here are some pictures from my end-of-summer preparations:
The garden in early October just after our first frost nipped a few things.
Potting up the thyme to take inside for the winter
Red Siberian heirloom tomatoes -- I'll definitely grow these again
One of the leeks from the harvest
Cabbage and potatoes just harvested
The rest of the tomatoes, picked and ready to store.
Storing the green tomatoes in the coolest spot in the house (the coat closet).
End-of-season applesauce making
Bringing some of the garden stuff indoors
Tilled in our homemade compost and made a "nursery bed" for the garlic. I'll transplant them in spring to their usual spots around the perimeter of each raised bed. This nursery bed thing is a new thought I had -- never done it this way, but I'm counting on it working like a charm.
Putting the garden to bed
Dusk, my favorite
The first snowfall
*****
