Hiya, Rural Sprout Readers,
Can you believe it’s November already? I’m sitting here wondering where 2021 went. A friend of mine said several years ago that each passing year seems to go by faster than the one before it. We ended up wondering if that’s just the nature of life as we get older or if it was due to our busy, technology-driven world.
Since that conversation, it’s been even more important to me to make efforts throughout each day to slow down.
We had our first frost this Wednesday, and I was lucky enough to get out that morning to enjoy it. Cheryl’s article about chestnuts reminded me that I knew of three local chestnut trees I had been meaning to check out this fall.
I can’t even begin to describe what a beautiful morning it was. I loved seeing the grass and the plants along the hiking trail covered in sparkling white frost.
At one point, I even got down on my hands and knees in the field to admire nature’s handiwork on the fronds of some tiny wild carrots.
Along with a few handfuls of chestnuts, I was lucky enough to forage wild rosehips kissed by the frost (they’re much sweeter), a few more dandelion roots, and some frosty yarrow.
While I was wandering around enjoying the scenery, I couldn’t help but think back to this spring when I had been foraging on this same trail. Then I had been able to pick plenty of stinging nettle for tea and bunches of garlic mustard for pesto.
It was nice to slow down and recap the growing season from start to finish.
We had a good season here in Pennsylvania. I know not everyone was as lucky between wildfires and drought. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for this year. (Just getting warmed up for Thanksgiving.)
Now that the garden is buttoned up and the cold weather is here, it’s time for all of us gardeners to hang up our trowels and enjoy a well-earned rest. The same goes for your gardens too.
Of course, my sweetie and I kicked off our non-gardening time by discussing what we do and don’t want to grow next year. I know, I know, but as a fellow gardener, I’m sure you understand.
In all seriousness, though, these colder months to come are my favorite time of year. As much as I love being in the garden, I love the long winter nights and snowy weather. It’s this time of year when I get to enjoy the fruits of my labor with a pantry full of canned goods and bottles of our own cider, mead and wine.
I’m looking forward to evenings spent knitting while sipping a glass of golden mead. I have a stack of books to finish reading. And winter is when we do most of our baking. (Somehow, turning the oven on in August never seems appealing.) I also plan on gaining some holiday weight.
In keeping with slowing down and resting, we’ve decided our upcoming holidays will be slower.
For many folks the holidays were drastically different last year. Our family found much-needed peace and closeness in the fewer, more intimate gatherings we had. It was a real eye-opener, and we said this year we wanted the same. We want to keep the simplicity we found last year.
How about you, dear reader?
As the ground gets a rest and we hunker down for the winter, what will you be doing? You know, aside from patiently waiting for the first of the seed catalogs to hit your mailbox. What are your plans during this “long winter’s nap?”
I hope one of the things you’ll be doing is checking in with your favorite gardening and homesteading website. We’ve got some fun stuff coming up to keep you going during those long winter nights.
15 Festive Ways To Prepare Chestnuts
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For starters, you’re going to want to read Cheryl’s article about ways to enjoy chestnuts. (I’ve already got a bottle of chestnut liqueur going for Christmas presents. Thanks for the idea, Cheryl!) Idea #5 is marvelous, and I can’t wait to eat one.
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7 Fall Raised Bed Chores to Boost Your Spring Garden
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And if you’ve got some empty raised beds, Lindsay has a few last-minute chores for you that will give you a jump on the growing season next spring.
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9 Varieties of Winter Squash You Should Be Cooking this Fall
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Have you ever picked up a winter squash you saw at the farmers market and thought, “What on earth is this? What do I do with it?” You’ll want to read my piece that introduces you to nine different winter squash. I’ve got a recipe for each variety to get you started.
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Easily Make Roasted Dandelion Root Coffee – Yes, It Tastes Like Coffee!
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Are you looking to kick your caffeine habit? I’ve got just the thing for you – roasted dandelion root coffee. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but yes, it tastes like coffee, and it’s 100% caffeine-free. I’ll also show you two other things you can make with fall dandelion roots.
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How to Can Tomato Juice – Easy Step-By-Step Tutorial
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If you’re wondering what to do with that last batch of tomatoes you grabbed before the frost, Cheryl shows you how to make healthy, homemade tomato juice.
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That's all for this week, Rural Sprout Readers.
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