Another Glorious Fall Weekend

We have had another weekend of reveling in all that is autumn.
We completed some seasonal chores that somehow make you feel that all will be well with the world--chores that feed your soul, in a way.

We picked the final bits from our garden and turned over the soil.

Lou and her buddy cleaned the cars (with the amount of driving I do in this rural area, a clean car before winter is a must).

Nels finished loading the porch with wood for the winter.

Helen and I went to our Coop's case-lot sale to replenish our pantry.

We bought pastas, beans, couscous, rice, tomatoes, crackers, tortilla chips, peanut butter, stock, Annies, mandarin oranges, frozen peas, and frozen strawberries.
I wish we could say that we had put up a lot of our own food this year, but it just didn't happen. We managed to freeze blueberries and make jam, chutney and maple syrup.

Our pantry is not as picturesque as this, but it still feels....cozy. Bring on the storms!

On Sunday afternoon we headed into the woods for what turns out to be one of the girls' most very favorite activities we do as a family (as I overheard them telling friends).

An autumn campfire and picnic.
We began by raking leaves from the firepit.

Nels built a new bench to accommodate our neighbors.

Jacknives always add to the fun.

The menu included--pumpkin soup, bread and cheese, apples baked in the fire with cinnamon, fingerling potatoes in the fire with salt and butter, sausages on a stick, rustic apple tart, and s'mores. We sat by the fire and cooked and visited all afternoon. Sadly, I forgot to get a picture of all the yummy food and it was so picturesque with tablecloths, baskets, and pretty colors.

We even got in a little crafting by the fire.
These little pumpkins are now living on my kitchen island.

Best of all? We still have another day off!