Fall is keeping me busy...

Fall is a busy time.  I haven't been on the computer much let alone writing about all the stuff I have been getting done out in the yard and kitchen.  Rather than try to document it all in separate postings, I decided I have to do it in one so I can keep track of my activities for next year.
TO CLEAN OR NOT TO CLEAN...
Different people have different ideas about whether or not you should clean out your gardens in fall.  I clean mine out for many reasons.  First, I collect seeds and it is easier to do if I collect as I go.  This way I can get down to the small stuff and collect that as well as the tall stuff.  I save seed from several annuals.  Asters, zinnias, marigolds, larkspur, love-in-the-mist, thunbergia, and nasturtiums are the usual suspects.  I collect them in envelopes and hang them in my basement with clothes pins on hangers.  I also shake out the plants to direct seed for next spring, allysum and love-in-the-mist are good for this as well as larkspur and cosmos.  You have to be patient next spring to give them time to bloom.  Another reason for cleaning out the garden is to take advantage of the city pick up of some of the vegetation like the old tomato vines and such.  They only do this in the fall so that is when you have to get it to the curb.  Leaves and such find their home at the municipal nursery.  I used to work there and it was always interesting to see what was going to pop out off the leaf covered fields the next year.  Several things still remain standing especially the flowering kale which still stops people in their tracks.
HARVEST, BUY, PRESERVE, AND DO IT AGAIN...
I was on a mission this fall to really take advantage of what I could from the local farm markets.  I share this with my daughters who are both out of the house.  I get some help from them in return with all the cutting, peeling, and canning to get it all done.  We also were able to get half a steer from a local farmer.  My husband and daughter were both successful in the Wisconsin deer season this year.  You have to make hay while the sun shines.
FALL CAMPING...
I have missed many years of fall camping because school and sport schedules didn't allow us the freedom to flee.  This year we got out of town on a regular basis to state parks, private campgrounds, and family cottages as the weather got colder and wetter.  Empty nesting has been very, very good for us.
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE...
We went out and cut our tree in the next county this past weekend.  I also have been collecting trimmings and grapevines to hanging up and string lights.  Next on the list is cookie baking and eventually, I will have to shop...I hate shopping.  I want to get some cards out, if only I can find the stamps I bought last month.
DARKNESS HAS FALLEN...
The days have gotten so short that I feel like I am cramming several hours worth of work into the limited daylight hours.  After all that, I sit down and fall asleep.  My children love to tease me about my ability to zone out immediately.  I try to motivate myself, but it just ain't happening.

Merry Christmas to one and all!