Fall Routine

We have been having an absolutely beautiful fall so far. It seems strange to be writing on September 1st about a beautiful fall but it really has come early. Although the days and nights have been warm, it is not the same as summer warm. I have seen mid-fifties for temperatures each morning about 6:30-7:00. In the evenings it is warm enough to sit comfortably outside with just a sweatshirt on. Nights are warm enough to leave a window open but there is still a cool breeze coming in. It won't be long before I'll close every window at night.

Last week we had a cool night so Bruce and I built the first fire in the fireplace of the season. When we built this house, we debated about whether to put a gas fireplace in or not. It is much more convenient and easier than wood. Luckily we decided on a wood fireplace. In spite of the work and mess, there is nothing like a wood fire. It warms the entire room and I don't mean just the temperature.

Leaves seem to be turning everywhere. The ferns along the roadside are brown in many places. Birch trees are turning yellow but poplars are still green. I haven't seen the ash or tamarack turning yet either. Those will wait until later in September. Down close to Grand Marais the maples are also turning.

Meanwhile the garden is still producing as if there is no end in sight. We have not bought zucchini for the lodge in weeks and I still find huge ones. Tomatoes are really vine ripened this year. The past two years we had to finish them off in the garage but not this year. Every other day I harvest about 10 pounds of them (we have A LOT of tomato plants). Corn is ready faster than we can eat it. Basil, chives, peppers, and squash are also making their way to the lodge kitchen. Even pumpkins are nice and orange. The only thing not ready yet is the Indian corn. Bruce planted a row of it for decorations in the lodge. We will see how it turns out. Carrots and potatoes are still adding on those last few ounces of growth.

Our meals are also starting to turn toward fall food. Pot roasts and hearty soups sound really good. Pasta will soon join them on the dinner table. I'm even thinking about trying to eat down the freeze. This is a once a year project that I start with good intentions but never really get finished.

I am sure that many of you will soon be into fall routines. Probably the only one I don't do here is to rake the leaves. So I miss the smell of burning leaves from when I was a child. We have a huge burn pile from spring that has been drying all summer. One night we will burn it and enjoy the smokey smell.