No turning back

4...FOUR...yep 4 more days left of Summer. Oh my! I cannot believe it is over, I am not ready, yet I am. Fall is my favorite but that following it is the worst...I cannot even think about even calling it by name because I despise it, so long and dark and lonely, not to mention COLD. But I wont focus on that I will focus on that right in front of me...the closing, the END of Summer. Welcoming of warm and crisp and smells of apples and spice.

With that said, it is also time for the closing of the garden. I am not a pro and therefore am not going to attempt a Fall garden planting, (wouldn't this be cool though...gardening all year round...hydroponic systems?) we still are awaiting the endless supply of tomatoes forming, some that will not fully ripen or grow to be eaten, but there are still so many and so many buds as well. A few more peppers as well. I need to pull out the deeply rooted, once glorious sunflowers, that have been beheaded by my dog or my kids. I need to learn what to do to prepare my soil for next season, I have heard rumors about coffee grounds...anyone have any advice?

With that said, I still have 50 or so tomatoes in my freezer...I need to cook them down at some point and don't know how??? And advice on that too?

Harvest Time

I really enjoy the Fall season, the beauty, the crisp air, the smell, hayrides, pumpkins, apples, cider...it just makes me smile.

Last weekend we went to MapleSide Farms to enjoy the fun Fall activities.

We went on a horse drawn hayride through the apple orchard
(There most memorable part was the horse pooping..we were right up front..why do kids think poop is funny?)



We then went to see if our seats for the Sunday buffet were ready, but they weren't so we went to buy some overpriced apples and yummy apple cider.
We played in the straw play area.



Then went to eat at the yummy over-priced Sunday buffet.
Good food, just kinda expensive..they didn't charge us for either of the kids so that was a nice surprise.

Then we went to get face/arm paintings and headed home!



Nope I didn't forget the getting the pumpkins part...we didn't get any, I only had a little cash (forgot to go tot the bank) and they are much cheaper at a store by us anyway!

It was a beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors and each other=)


Stay tuned for our pumpkin carvings.
They are awesome=)

Some Recipes

Here is my husbands favorite Fall/Winter Soup.

Sausage Bean Soup
(Not sure where I got this recipe...Taste of Home or Mr Food, maybe)

3/4 lb bulk Italian sausage
( I use the Bob Evans It sausage in the roll...but you can get it from the meat counter also)
1/2 C chopped onion
1 garlic clove minced
(I used Tastefully Simples Garlic Garlic...we love LOTS of garlic)
1 can (15 1/2 oz) butter beans, rinsed and drained
( I like the mini butter beans but they are hard to find)
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes (seasoned ones taste good too),undrained
1-2 cans beef broth (depending on how much broth you like)
1 TBSP mined fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil
2 TBSP shredded Parmesan cheese

In large saucepan cook sausage, onion and garlic until sausage is browned; drain. Add beans, tomatoes, broth and basil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle each serving w/cheese.
**Tonight I added chopped fresh spinach for added nutrition...and because it was already out on the counter! We haven't tasted it yet, Josh isn't home yet. I am sure it is good though!

AND

If you want the other recipe go to I know I am Not Alone ( I finally am updating!)