We had our first frost last night, which meant that yesterday afternoon was a scramble of harvesting, bringing in, and preserving as much as we could. The pantry shelves are filling.
There are leaves falling everywhere, calling to be raked up and kept for garden mulch.
The empty woodshed that we fretted about all summer long - trying to get to filling it up - somehow, magically (one tree, one swing of the axe at a time, I suppose) is beginning to resemble something close to 'ready' for the season that lies ahead.
And everywhere we look, the harbingers of autumn appear in front of us. The air is crisp. The wool is all around us! And this very weekend, our family's official marking of the season will be done with our annual and always-anticipated trip to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Common Ground Country Fair (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, oh my!). Except this time, with a Taproot booth for Mama to tend, we will be there for many days, with a bit of a work retreat and family vacation of sorts to follow. We're all very excited.
Should you find yourself at The Fair this week (oh, you really should come if it's close enough to you - it's such a special place), please come by and say hello. Jason and I, and some combination of our spouses, children, and contributors will be there all weekend long. We'll be in the Media area, in between the MOFGA merchandise tent, and all that delicious food, beside the Social and Political Action tent.
And for those of you not so close, stay tuned. I'm hopeful that my plans to bring the fair to you here in this space will come to fruition.
Wishing you all much joy as you greet your favorite harbingers of the season that lies ahead!
