Fall Projects

We were told to expect the first frost tonight, so today the kids and I did some harvesting.  We picked two bags of peppers, some broccoli, tomatoes (green and red and in-between), and swiss chard.   The girls were eager to help, and enjoyed sampling as we went--especially the tomatoes!

I am happy to have little helpers.  We have started a bit of a chore system around here.  The girls set the table for lunch and dinner.  Everett unloads the silverware from the dishwasher and helps with lots of other things throughout the day.  We're starting small, but we're starting!  Gwyn really loves to help me with the cooking, and today Maddie was my best garden helper.  Here she is with the main stalk of a broccoli plant.  I broke off most of the branches so she could carry it to the compost pile):

The last (and first) time we had a garden, I cut the first heads of broccoli, and then let it go to flower thinking that the little florets produced afterwards wouldn't be worth it.  This time I cut the broccoli faithfully throughout the season, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that between our four plants, we had enough for at least one meal per week all summer long.  They grew to be like little trees, with a trunk nearly as thick as my fist.  Definitely worth it!

This year I also made my first forays into preserving what we grew.  I learned by trial and error, but that is for another post.  I am proud of my stocked shelves and freezer.

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I posted a photo long ago of our torn-up porch.  The remodeling project has been progressing slowly and is finally starting to look really nice.  Unfortunately, just as I was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I discovered two boards that had been eaten by insects--probably termites.  Needless to say, I was UPSET, and a bit discouraged.  I really hope that the damage is minimal, and can be taken care of without ripping up the porch that I have put so much time and effort into.  I hate to even think of the hours I have spent out there.

This week I have spent some time on my roof, painting window frames just outside of the room where the children were playing.  They were a little bit concerned at first, but I reassured them that I was being very careful.  Let's see... 8 windows down, 10 to go.  I'm averaging 1-2 per day, but the weather is getting a little cold for painting.

 

So what are your fall projects?