Scarlett swaths of color caught my eyes in the morning light, erupting on the south hill - the sugar maples! Planted years ago, we'd used the autumn olive bushes as nursery plants to protect them from the scouring winds. Now there was no missing how they had outgrown their protectors, spreading their canopies on the hillside. It'll be at least another decade before they're ready for tapping (likely longer), but someday homemade maple syrup will be a part of the bounty of our land.

The fall colors aren't putting on their brightest shows in our area due to wonky weather conditions, but the sugar maples were still quite a sight to see this week. Most of the rest of the hillside is either still green or already leafless, so their bright color really stands out.

I remember planting those trees when both they and my sons were quite small. We've had to keep them fenced to keep the deer from snacking on them or using them as rubbing posts, and wrapped the trunks each winter to protect them from voles.

You'd think with all the other plants to eat in the yard that they'd be safe, but experience has taught us that wildlife generally prefers the most expensive snacks. Back when we first dug the pond, we tried putting in several types flowering plants, including a lotus, which the seller assured us was completely deer resistant. One by one, the plants turned to deer snacks. The lotus did last the longest, but I suspect they all formed a deer conga line, each taking a bite, shaking their head about the taste, and then letting the next deer in for their bite, until it was gone.

Like the seasons in the woods and gardens, the seasons of our lives march on at a steady pace.

I had fully intended to get out a newsletter last week, but between preserving the harvest, having my right hand (Duncan) gone to school and wrapped up working on homework many hours of the week, unexpected guests, and switching to a new computer because mine was too old to update to Windows 11, it did not happen.

I'm still finding out bits and pieces that didn't make the transfer or need a replacement on the new machine, but in time it will get sorted out. Our internet connection has randomly started dropping, too, which makes online work even more challenging. The good news is that I did manage to complete writing the last chapter of my book and get it submitted, and will hear back on edits next week. Now I have to figure out all the images for it. (The book is Common Sense Preparedness, due out in early 2027 from Lyons Press.)

My head always struggles a bit with the diminishing daylight as well. Extra rest is helpful, as well as continuing to get outside time, especially in the mornings. I put together a list of tips for seasonal blues, including some from our readers, here.

We're planning a visit to see a pumpkin cannon in action and enjoy some of the fall colors before they disappear, so I'd best wrap up. Tomorrow it's back to canning applesauce and apple butter, and beginning to sort through photos for the book.

This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost

• Take stock: Walk your pantry or freezer and note what’s low or missing before winter hits.
• Tend your tools: Sharpen pruners, oil garden tools, or clean canning supplies to put them away ready for spring.
• Preserve a little more: Make one extra batch of something shelf-stable (applesauce, broth, jam).
• Celebrate what grew: Jot down your garden successes and lessons learned while they’re fresh in mind.
• Rest intentionally: The shorter days invite slowing down — take time for a hot drink and a few deep breaths outdoors.

Small steps toward preparedness now mean more peace and plenty later.

All our best to you and yours,

Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

This week's featured articles...

I was talking to a friend recently, and she shared how her mom had run into trouble with her heating system. When the repair guy came out, he found that the furnace filter had been clogged by her essential oil diffuser. She liked the fragrance, so she'd been using it daily. The light coating of oil built up on the filter, which caused more dust to stick, and clogged the filter. Some scented candles can also cause issues like headaches and respiratory irritation.

Simmering potpourri is another way to add some fragrance to the air without those problems. The aroma is more delicate, but pleasant, and easy to customize. You can also make up bundles of ingredients to use for quick gifts.

Our low temps are predicted to be in the lower 30s several nights this week, which should finish off the surviving heat loving crops in the gardens, and also make for great baking weather. This old-fashioned potato bread recipe uses mashed potatoes instead of potato flakes to create a tender crumb with good shelf life.

Potato pancakes are another great budget stretcher, especially in fall with the potato harvest coming in. You can stock up while they're cheap, and use these potato storage tips to help them last.

As with most preps, the best time to do them is before you need them, and winter vehicle prep is no exception. This Winter Vehicle Preparation Checklist will help you get ready to stay safe on the roads in the coming months.