This is such a busy time of year! School has started, the garden is getting wrapped up and tucked away for winter, there's firewood to store away, winter clothing to prepare... You know the drill, right?
With three kids in school full-time this year, I made the big decision to return to school myself. In years past, I had been in the Business program at our local college - when I went in to talk to a counselor, I realized that I simply needed 4 electives in order to finish up, and so I bit the bullet. My plan before had been to pursue an accounting designation, but frankly, this holds absolutely no appeal to me any longer. So, I decided to take university transfer courses, in the event that I ever figure out what I want to do when I grow up, and return to school with a degree in mind.
By taking two classes per semester, I'll be finished up by the end of the school year, and graduate with a piece of paper that says I actually accomplished something during these years I've spent at home! This semester, my courses are English & Psychology 101 - and I'm loving them. They are both stretching me quite a bit, and I'll admit to the occasional breakdown, when I become convinced that my mommy brain is too old and out of practice to do this. I'm determined, however, to make it work, and the process, while tough, is really, really good.
On top of school work, the garden is slowly being tended. The kids were especially impressed with our heirloom carrots (they're a super cool purple on the outside, but traditional orange inside), while Stuart & I are loving the baby potatoes. My plans for preserving much of the harvest this year have not panned out, but I suppose there's always next year. I'm grateful that we have the luxury of putting that off for a year, without our family suffering a lack of food - we are so fortunate here, with our abundance of good food from all over the world!
This week, we begin our collection of firewood for the coming winter - it is one of my ultimate favourite outside chores, and I can't wait! The whole process is amazingly satisfying. Sitting in front of a fire when it's roaring outside with wind and snow, and knowing that you provided the means to keep the family warm - it's self-sufficiency at it's best!
So, tell me! What are you up to? Are you preparing for winter? Or spring?
Love those carrots! baby potatoes too? yummie
Posted by: colleen | October 01, 2010 at 05:36 AM
Only four classes left - you can do this!!!
We bought some of those heirloom carrot seeds but the cold wet June caused them to molder in the ground and we never got around to replanting in July. They look delicious.
Ed's such a stickler for getting in the winter wood supply in the heat of summer. He likes to get the wood in the storage shed he built where the heat of the sun drives the temperature up into the low 100F so the wood will be well dried. I keep hearing it's going to be a hard winter in the Pacific Northwest this year.
Posted by: Fiberjoy | October 04, 2010 at 07:52 PM
Well I should be cutting back and tidying the garden but it's a little grey out there so I'm sitting here with my cup of tea catching up with your corner of the blogosphere. So how come we didn't get to see a picture of you dressed up for your first day back at school? Seriously though - well done you for studying on top of everything else - you are a very impressive lady you know? Hope your medical stuff is all sorted and how lovely that you found the comfort of knitting when far from home, it's magical stuff isn't it?
Posted by: Sarah | October 05, 2010 at 02:23 AM
Charity - you go girl! All the best to you with your classes. Such an accomplishment. Since Daniel has left (Wyoming for the fall semester!) we've needed to find an alternative to cross-country meets all fall. We've been taking drives, traveling a little and looking at gas inserts. We want the fire but are beyond the heavy lifting stage!
Posted by: Patty | October 05, 2010 at 07:06 AM
At one of our favorite antique/ second-hand stores I found a Knitomat Deluxe 160 knitting machine, complete with instruction manual and most accessories for $35, so of course I bought it. But I'm unsure how to get going with it. Ribbing looks a bit problematic on this one- drop the stitches and pick them up backwards- so I thought perhaps I would hand-knit the ribbing and do the increases then put it on the machine and do the stockinette. Is that feasible?
I am curious how it has gone with your knitting machine. Thanks
Posted by: Betsy Payne | October 07, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Those carrots are super cool.
Never too old! Maybe out of practice but it's both good for you mentally and work-wise.
Posted by: Carrie K | October 07, 2010 at 12:56 PM