I'm having a hard time believing that we're actually in September today! And the golden tinges that Claudia Diller captures in her painting above definitely match the golden tinges we're seeing in the leaves of the trees...and the brilliant yellow of the golden rod that's blooming a bit of everywhere! Yellow Black-eyed Susans are still in full swing from Summer's long days, but there's a crispness in the air, a chill at nights, and the sunlight on the hills is looking more mellow lately. Fall with its golden harvest days is upon us!

My computer contracted some sort of weird virus...again....that our friend, Steve, has now remedied for us so I hope to get you caught up on some of our goings on over the past week or so. The children had their second horseback riding lesson last Friday on our land that they're all enjoying immensely. I'm getting some great coaching from Heather on Reno, too...practicing some collection with him and learning how to move his hindquarters on turns...as opposed to just the bending that I'm accustomed to doing. I love how these horses can move...and how we can help them move from the saddle...it's fascinating!

We're also gearing up for the Common Ground Fair that will be taking place around the 25th of this month. My husband will be demonstrating the Power Hearth unit open to the public for the first time here in Maine and will be set up in the Farm and Homestead section of the fairgrounds. There's so much to learn with all of this alternative energy stuff...and so much potential with this particular technology for families, small farms, and homesteads! We're excited...and we'd love for you to come out and see us if you're in the area!

We also cooked up our first 'home grown' broiler chicken this week...and used the leftovers to make the most awesome chicken broth for tortilla soup we've ever had. Seriously! It was a beautiful golden color and the flavor...of both meat and broth...was fantastic! The turkeys are now free-ranging and loving all the starchy wooden stemmed grasses...as well as the bugs!

With all the rain we had this summer, gardens haven't fared so well...including ours. But we do have some lovely squash and zucchini coming in now...straight out of our compost pile....that are really scrumptious! We're also supplementing more of our groceries from the neighboring farms and local venues...rather than from Wal-Mart. So lately, with homemade bread, late summer veggies, and our chickens...all the bounty on our table has come from our raising.  It's a great feeling! We may just make it as farmers yet! : D