Well, this week didn’t exactly go according to plan.
I started the week with a head cold that completely zapped my energy. You know the kind where even the simplest tasks feel like they require far more effort than they should? Yep, that was me.
Needless to say, most of my to-do list got pushed toward the end of the week.
Thankfully, so far, I’m the only one in the house who has gotten sick. I’ve been making sure everyone is taking their vitamins and hoping this little bug doesn’t decide to make its way through the entire family.
Fortunately, I’m finally feeling better, and just in time because there’s plenty to get done around here before the colder weather arrives.
A 19-Pound Cabbage… Yes, Really!
One of my purchases this week might sound a little crazy.
I bought a 19-pound cabbage.
Yes. One cabbage. Nineteen pounds.
Every year, I purchase one giant sauerkraut cabbage that I turn into homemade sauerkraut through fermentation. It’s become one of those annual traditions that I look forward to, and believe it or not, that one cabbage provides enough sauerkraut to last our family an entire year!
In fact, we’re just now finishing up one of our half-gallon mason jars from last year’s batch.
I love being able to make something once and enjoy it throughout the year. And homemade sauerkraut is so simple to make with just a few ingredients and a little patience.
I’ll be sharing a blog post soon showing exactly how I make our sauerkraut, along with some of our favorite ways to use it.
Until then, I’ve got nineteen pounds of cabbage waiting for me.
No big deal, right?
A Fall Adventure in Wallace, Idaho
Thankfully, by the end of the week, I was feeling well enough to enjoy something I’ve really come to look forward to—my monthly adventure with friends!
This month, we headed to Wallace, Idaho, for the day.
We couldn’t have asked for more beautiful fall weather. The sunshine was out, the air was crisp, and the changing colors made everything even more beautiful.
One of the highlights of our day was taking a fall walk along the Pulaski Trail.
If you’ve never visited Wallace, it’s such a charming little North Idaho town, and fall is an especially beautiful time to explore the area.
We enjoyed the scenery, the fresh air, and, of course, plenty of laughter and conversation along the way.
I’m so thankful we’ve made these monthly outings a priority. These days together have been such a blessing.
I highly recommend finding a day each month to step away from the normal routine and spend time with your friends.
The laundry and chores will still be waiting when you get home. Trust me.
It’s Finally Time to Say Goodbye to the Garden
Well, I think the time has officially come.
After weeks of watching the forecast, and squeezing every last bit of produce out of our garden, today is the day I start pulling plants.
The temperatures are expected to drop this weekend, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to warm back up anytime soon.
The garden has been so good to us this year, and I’m incredibly thankful for the abundance we’ve harvested.
Even good things have their seasons, and this one is coming to an end.
What About All Those Green Tomatoes?
Of course, my tomato plants haven’t gotten the memo that growing season is over.
I still have tons of green tomatoes hanging on the vines.
Thankfully, this isn’t my first rodeo.
Every year, before the final freeze, I pick all of the remaining green tomatoes and bring them inside to finish ripening.
It’s a simple way to extend the harvest just a little longer, and I love knowing that even after the garden is cleaned out, we’ll still have homegrown tomatoes to enjoy.
I’ll also be harvesting the last of the peppers and squash before pulling those plants.
The beets, however, are staying right where they are for now. They can handle some cooler temperatures, so there’s no need to rush those out of the ground just yet.
It feels a little bittersweet pulling everything up after months of watching it grow, but I’ll admit that I’m also looking forward to having one less thing to tend every day.
Grapes, Grapes, and More Grapes!
And I almost forgot to mention one of our biggest harvests right now!
Grapes!
We have an absolute abundance of them this year, and everyone around here seems to be enjoying them.
We’ve been picking bunches and eating them fresh, which is probably my favorite way to enjoy them. There’s nothing quite like walking outside and grabbing a handful of grapes straight from the vine.
I’ve also got a batch in the dehydrator right now, turning them into homemade raisins.
Of course, we’re not the only ones enjoying the harvest.
The chickens are happy to clean up some of the grapes that fall to the ground, and the pigs have been getting their own bunches delivered right to them.
Apparently, everyone wants in on grape season!
Between the grapes, tomatoes, peppers, and squash, our garden and property are certainly giving us plenty to be thankful for as the growing season comes to an end.
What a blessing to have so much food growing right here at home!
Preparing for Garlic Planting
Of course, cleaning out the garden doesn’t mean we’re completely finished gardening for the year.
It’s almost time to plant garlic!
Once the summer plants are removed, I’ll be spending some time this weekend preparing the beds for our fall garlic planting.
I love that garlic gets planted in the fall, spends the winter tucked away underground, and then begins growing again when spring arrives.
It’s a reminder that even when everything above ground seems quiet, there’s still something happening beneath the surface.
With as much garlic as we use around here, it’s definitely a crop worth making room for.
Embracing the Change of Seasons
October is my favorite month, and even though this week started off a little rough, I’m thankful for the beautiful moments we’ve had.
A sunny fall day with friends.
A garden that has continued producing far longer than I expected.
A giant cabbage waiting to become sauerkraut.
And the opportunity to slow down a little, even if it wasn’t exactly by choice.
As we put the garden to bed and prepare for colder days, I’m reminded that every season has its purpose.
Some seasons are full of planting and growing. Others are filled with harvesting and preserving, and some are meant for resting, reflecting, and preparing for what’s next.
I’m learning to appreciate each one, even when I’m not quite ready for the change.
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)
Here’s to crisp October mornings, a productive weekend in the garden, good friends, and hopefully a house full of healthy people!
If anyone needs me, I’ll probably be somewhere between a mountain of green tomatoes and a nineteen-pound cabbage.
From our homestead to yours,
Eliza