Hi everyone. We had our first serious frost last night, and the fields are so pretty this morning with a layer of white on them. I hate to see the end of Daylight Savings Time, but it is nice to be able to relax a little in the evenings. Forecasts of frost finally got me moving yesterday to build two 4'x4' cold frame covers with fiberglass tops to put on a small raised bed I have on the south side of the house. It's filled with lettuce and a variety of greens that do well in cold weather. I had been covering it with a row cover, but discovered that the dog had been sleeping on it--he loves any kind of fabric or rug to sleep on!

It sure is nice to have this Forum up and running again. I really miss it when it's down. We live in a very isolated spot and many days don't see anyone else, so it's nice to have a place to "talk" to others. I don't spend as much time on the computer as some of you seem to, though; there are just too many other things to do. (Is that a woman-thing of always feeling the need to be busy?) This week, for example, the garden needs to be cleaned up and cover crops planted. I also want to do some landscaping around our not-so-new-anymore house. I plan to build raised beds and want to transplant some shrubs that have been in a holding area for several years. I'm counting on warmer weather for another month or so. Have a good week!

-- Katherine in KY (KyKatherine@Yahoo.com), October 28, 2001

Answers

We woke to a frosty morning,also! The temp got down to 30* and I had to move all my houseplants from the deck to the dining area! We spent most of yesterday 'winterizing' the farm and house. You know the drill--wrapping pipes, check outside faucets, cedar shavings in dog houses, checking and adding anti-freeze to everything, checking the hives etc., etc. etc.! We are going to purchase gas & deisel tanks for the farm tomorrow-we have been saving for a long time for them. Even have money to put the gas and deisel fuel in them :)!

Have a good week

I have been picking mixed greens and getting them ready for the freezer!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), October 28, 2001.

Hi Everyone, it is cooling off here too, and should be raining tommorrow if the weatherman is right. Hmmmm....we shall see. We havn't had rain in awhile..but it IS cloudy today. The garden is about done now....a few more green tomatoes..enough to can some picalilli and a little basil to freeze, and thats about it..my little greenhouse is about 1/2 built..I am hoping I will get to use it this winter..looks iffy at this point. It is my son's project, and he has alot on his plate right now, so I am not sure. My sheep should be getting sheared this week. The shearer is running behind schedule..so I am still waiting. Also my little angora goat too. I have been spinning more, now that the days are shorter, and have especially been spinning angora fiber from my rabbits. I make one ply wool/one ply angora yarn alot for knitting socks. I am really starting to look ahead to Christmas now. I need to get digging in the craft closet to get ideas for gifts to make. I never get much inspired before Halloween. I love this time of year. We are Barbquing chicken tonight. As long as its not raining we tend to barbque at least once a week all year. Sunday nights are my favorite times to do it. Like a treat at the end of a week/beginning of a new one. Have a wonderful, safe week wherever you are!!

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), October 28, 2001.

This is the time of year to drive carefully in Northern Missouri! We saw 10 deer, 8 of them bucks on the road Friday night. I saw two on the road on the way to work today. Had a nice time at a bonfire over at a neighbors house Sat. nite. It was chilly out in the woods, the youngsters enjoyed a big hay ride too. Gearing up for deer season in two weeks. We always have a big bar-b-que for all the neighboring hunters on the first Saturday of the hunt. Ribs and pork steaks.

-- Rickstir (rpowell@email.ccis.edu), October 29, 2001.

Cold here in central IN. We've had that "really big" freeze so the tomatoes are done except those in the house. Daikon radishes, lettuce and turnips survive, though, and some tiny late carrots. Now it's time to spin and weave and read. It's a joy to do and read about these mundane things when the world seems in such a whirl of evil activity. Lord, preserve us and our simple lives.

-- Rosalie (deatline@globalsite.net), October 30, 2001.