We have been very busy trying to cover up all our beautiful flowers in the cool of the night.  This past evening the temperature dropped into the low 20’s.  As you can see our water fountain will have to be put away for the winter months.

The vegetable gardens have been tilled and the final harvest has been made of most of the garden vegetables.  The Lord has been so good to us again this year.  We have a trailer full of butternut and spaghetti squash.  We share with our guests, neighbors and the elderly that are in need.  The only thing that is still left in the garden to feast on before the holidays is carrots and brussels sprouts.

Oh…. I still have lemon balm to dry for winter tea.  This is a plant that produces so much.  It was given to me from an Amish friend (just 3 roots).  Ha! Ha!  We have to laugh because it is a plant that wants to take over the entire garden.  In the spring, we will till circles around it and only allow a 3 foot size area for this plant.  Lemon Balm is used not only for teas but also garnishing.

Well, I better sign off for now and get a nice simmering slow crock pot ready with chicken and dumplings so we can finish the fall clean up before Jack Frost comes and breaks our water hoses!

For those health enthusiasts, come and join us this weekend as the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail closes the tunnel doors for the winter months after the Rails to Trails Marathon which  will takes place Sunday, November 3, 2013.  The Rails to Trails Marathon consists of a full, Boston qualifier, marathon, half-marathon, 5K and 1 mile run. Visit www.railstotrailsraces.com for more information.