Autumn randomness

Autumn has always been the season of my heart's quickening with its warm pallet and cool temperatures.  It is as sweet for those who love the outdoors as it is for the homebody, and this year's colors are much more beautiful than last years.  I have been taking lots of pictures.  Although the house we are building on the other property will have charms of its own, I will miss the splendid view we have here.

School takes up the better part of the day, with laundry and cooking squeezed into free moments.  I'm working on patching a favorite duvet cover whenever I can sneak into my work room for a few minutes, and it is just the tip of the iceberg, or rather, the mending pile.

I received my Knit Picks order this week, and it amuses me in that it is all blacks and grays, which is what my boys wanted for their hats and mitts.  Oh well...it beats the heck out of knitting with camo-colored acrylic, which I have done at the request of a certain boy some years ago.

Cooking is more enjoyable these days, too, and I am looking forward to the soups and stews and casseroles.  The kids are drinking tea or decaf lattes in the morning, and I have made the first pumpkin breads of the season.

Our lovely hens are laying well now, and they have accepted Barney, the new rooster, as one of their own.  And for the first time since his arrival on Sunday evening, I heard him crowing his little heart out today.  Not as clear and perfect as my dear old Bertram Chanticleer, but nice nonetheless.  And the hens are the sweetest we've ever had, very calm and tame.

Life is good.  In spite of the challenges, the worries and the little daily battles, it is good.  It's in the little things, you know?