Fall is in the air

What a lovely day today! After early rains setting in this month, today we had a respite. Though it was a bit misty this morning, and clouds are the majority of the sky, there has been sun, warm sun, and glimpses of blue most of the day. It is one of those days where I long to walk in the woods and breath deeply. The fact being I don't have any woods, I did venture in the back yard, really only to see what my very green tomatoes were doing. As it turned out, I took the netting off the berries, removed the poles that help up the netting, pulled out all the waning sweet peas, removed their stakes, and cut back some rather rangy Hollyhocks and Foxgloves. When I finally got to the tomatoes, I found, green tomatoes. Ugh! My hope was to fill the freezer with them for winter soups. I have often had to ripen them in the house here in the NW, so I decided to take some in, leaving others in the hope...


I decided to try something this time, and that was to cut the branches and hang them. I have heard of those who pull the plants out by the root and hang them upside down to ripen. So, I set up my wooden clothes rack and have them hanging there. I feel very Tasha Tudor-ish. We shall see if they will ripen or if they get turned into relish.


It felt good to be outside with the warm breeze and buzzing bees. I needed that after a long and busy week. I love autumn. I love the colors, the smell in the air of wood smoke, of cozy sweaters, and the rustle of leaves. Perhaps I will find a wood for a walk, and maybe a companion to go with me.