Simply Practical: September 2016

The picture really doesn't do it justice. This photo was taken today. The one above was taken in late September, early October.

Usually, this time of year we see lots of yellow and lighter green leaves. Now, we are seeing not only yellow and green leaves, but brown as well. I've never seen the trees turn this color in only September! It's usually mid October before we see real Fall color! It's been so dry the past two months! I think our last good rain was in early August! The ground is like cement! We have had an unusually hot July and August, and now September! Thus the reason for the dry ground and turning leaves. I just came in from taking photos and it's 94 outside! The sun is scalding hot!

The weather has not affected the fruit production at least! I've harvested quite a few grapes, scuppernongs, and apples! I am in the process of extracting juice from the apples given to us by a neighbor, to be used to make jelly. And I'm going to make apple turnovers from previously cooked apples from our apple trees. Vegetables in the garden are as good as dead, so there won't be any more peppers, eggplants or tomatoes. The peppers and tomatoes didn't do that well anyway with all the rotten spots. I don't know if it was black spot or what, but I fed them with extra calcium to prevent that. Guess it wasn't enough.

I have taken up a new hobby: brush lettering. I love it! I can't really write anything yet, but I practice everyday. I feel like a first grader, learning to write the alphabet! There are so many font styles to use! And so many writing instruments to use! One reason for learning brush lettering is to write on handmade cards I've decorated. I'm really practicing Merry Christmas in hopes of having it down pat by Christmas! I've been contemplating which electronic die cutting machine to purchase in the making of the cards. There are so many options and reviews, but I finally chose the Cricut Explore Air. I found the best price on Walmart.com, believe it or not! The main reason I chose Walmart is for the extended warranty. I purchased a four year one. I don't think the other stores or sites offer that. I can hardly wait for it to come in! The Youtube videos I watched showed that Cricut Explore was much less complicated to operate than the Cameo. I'm not a very techy person, so that was a seller for me.

Life has kept me from Facebook and my blog, but I'm not giving up either one! Thanks for hanging in here with me and commenting! Have a wonderful week! Blessings from Bama!

From our garden! I made pasta sauce for spaghetti and baked ziti.

From our garden.

Our own grapes!

My first homemade card.

These were abundant this summer!

You may not can see this streak, but I've been seeing it at certain times of the day. It showed up after severe storms in August. I'm wondering if it is a lightening etch?