These roses are the last ones in my yard.  I was surprised when they appeared this past weekend.  

Yes, there was more rain this weekend and it's wet outside now even though it's not raining.  I am beginning to wonder if this is the climate for this area going forward...mostly rainy and wet!

Astronomically, summer ends September 22nd, 2026.  I have noticed that the trees are beginning to change rapidly.  There's not much color yet but  the green is beginning to wash out on the leaves...can color be far behind? Keep an eye out where you live so you don't miss the colorful fall leaves.

I was expecting a normal Viking's game this past weekend (a loss)...what a surprise.  First we lost our quarterback (whom I thought was way to short to be a quality quarterback) and the backup came in.  They did pretty good at staying close to the Packers, but then in the fourth quarter, the Vikings exploded and the Packers imploded which led to a significant Vikings win.

I had fun making journal ephemera this weekend using the brown paper used for packing and fabric scraps.  I cut the paper about five inches high and eight to nine inches wide and scrunched it well.  After smoothing out I folded the paper in half and glued it together so the result was five inches by four inches.  I then sewed around the edges which is optional.  If you don't sew, though, make sure you glue well on the edges...

Then I added scrap pieces of fabric and trim to decorate and make pockets.  I used card stock paper for the pocket journaling cards.  Here are a couple...

I haven't yet taken out my fall decorations...that's one of this week's major goal...turning the house into the 'season of orange'!  Another goal is to harvest more herbs and dry them out.

A friend suggested drying them in the oven.  First turning the oven on to heat it slightly, then turning if off and placing cleaned herbs spread out on a cookie sheet.  The first batch which took a couple days turned out great so I am going to continue with this method.  So far I have dried mint, basil, oregano and rosemary.

My tomatoes are winding down but the summer squash is still going with several squash still on the vine and growing.  Same with my peppers.  Now is the time that I am going to try fall planting and using the greenhouse.

So do you have any fall goals?  I haven't been very attentive to this month's challenge...life seems to intervene...but I hope going forward that will change.  

I've been planning a couple fall activities.  First is my annual trip to see the Dear Jane Quilt and Grandma Moses Paintings.  Folks ask if I get tired of doing that over and over and my answer is always an resounding 'NO'.  I love seeing them both.  And you know what, as I age, I seem to appreciate these two items even more.  And even more than that, I think I appreciate something different in them.  It's hard to say why, but I feel like I'm seeing them for the first time each visit.

Another activity is to make use of the greenhouse on the deck and see if I can grow fall crops successfully into the winter.  I have had no luck growing salad fixings like leafy lettuce...hopefully, that will change.

And, I know it's early, but I've already been keeping an eye out for gifts that are on sale and inexpensive for the holidays.  Things are not great for most of us economically so sales, even thrift stores, make sense.  I know folks like to say 'It's the thought that counts.' But it really is true.  Gifts are nice but getting together to celebrate is even better, so now's the time to make those plans also.  And when non-perishable food items you use during the holidays are on sale, purchase them if possible.

Well, that's it for now...have a wonderful day...and take some time to relax...talk with you tomorrow...