It is meterologic autumn according to the weather prognosticators, but it went out with a bang. The daytime temperatures last week were in the 90’s every day. That is nearly unheard of here in the mountains, especially in September. It finally cooled down today to near 80 with similar weather expected all week, the highest day in the mid 80’s. Though I don’t like to take our daily walks when it is that hot, I did, picking the shadiest areas of the rails to trails walk we take each day.
The garden was a major bust this year, between the drought, the extreme temperatures, and several intense storms that blew peas and beans to the ground before they produced much. Animals that can get through or over the fence ate down most of the peppers, except some that were already too tall to munch. There have been many jalapenos to pickle, some seranos are turning red and will become hot sauce. There have been a few tomatoes, mostly the black cherry ones that are wonderfully sweet, and the pumpkins and gourds are doing well. The raccoons got the few ears of popcorn that did form. Unless I improve my fencing, or build a tunnel (which won’t happen), that problem will continue.
I did cover the grapevine with deer mesh this year, so I got a half gallon of Muscadine grapes which were crushed and fermented, strained through a sieve and fed some sugar, so now there is red wine vinegar. It will be strained through cheesecloth and bottled soon.
While visiting with daughter and son in law, when they came over and repaired part of the chicken coop for me, he mentioned he was low on the soap I make for him. That was a reminder and initiator to begin this year’s soap making. I can thank a friend who more than a dozen years ago invited me to her home to learn how to make soap myself. We made several batches that day and she sent me home with my first batch and some supplies. Her generous teaching has instilled the each one teach one mantra to me and I have taught several others to make soap. Next Sunday, a local friend and her husband for whom I have been making soap for several years, will join me to learn, and like my friend did me, they will leave with the basic equipment to make more at home later. I would gladly continue to make it for them, but they can make it themselves in an hour for half what she pays me. SIL’s batch was made early in the week, then a batch of unscented Calendula/Turmeric soap made, and yesterday, Peppermint with French Red Clay.
While we have the equipment out next weekend, I will make one more batch of the same scent they will be using as that is also the scent that my SIL prefers. This will be a year’s worth of soaps for our use, for the Barn Bazaar at the Museum, for a few gifts, and for SIL. For now, it is curing in a back bedroom until it can be deliverer, or labelled.
I mentioned traditions in my last post, and have begun a second Christmas stocking, the first is appropriate for a little girl, this one is more boy themed, the appropriate one will be finished with the name, lining, and tag when I know the information. We are still about 2 months from that reveal. I have asked for a photo of all from that family lined up together when Christmas decorations come out.
The leaves are beginning to turn yellows, reds, and oranges, only the early trees, but it is a sign of shorter days, cooler weather, and hopefully some rain.
Haying has begun up here, we expect our fall hay to be cut and baled soon. It looks like it might be a better cut than the spring hay was.
Try to stay safe and healthy, until next time!
Cabin Crafted 
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