"Halloween morning began with the fog lifting off the big pond like wisps of smoke from a cauldron. Daybreak saw the land coated in frost, but the pond held enough warmth to welcome the duck patrol like a big, splash-filled hug."

Our lives are so seasonal here on the homestead, and it's interesting to me to see how the place changes throughout the year, and from one year to another.

Both of our ponds are still open because the fall has been mild, but only the larger pond was creating its own fog bank. The heat tender crops are gone in the garden, but still surviving in the greenhouse, though we've dipped into the mid-20s for overnight lows.

The other night we were greeted by our oldest hen, Miss Mimi, as we headed out to put the ducks in for the night. Mimi and the older layers have been in the portable coop in the east orchard, but it appeared that Mimi decided she was ready for winter quarters, as she left the orchard enclosure and was waiting outside the main coop. (The main coop is insulated, the portable coop is not.)

She found a spot on the roost that night, but the next day she ran around lamenting like an old woman because she was with the wrong group of chickens. (Captain Featherpants, the young rooster, and the new pullets were in the main coop.)

That evening, we moved the rest of the flock back to the main coop. They spent a good portion of today chasing each other around, but things finally settled down towards nightfall. It's nice the have the chicken chores back in one location for winter.

I had to dig out the muck boots this weekend as we finally have rain again. It's been such a dry fall that I didn't need them. It appears that they shrunk in storage. (Just kidding - it's the curse of older feet getting wider.)

Thankfully I found a pair that my sons outgrew, and my old ones will need to be passed on. It's a good reminder to check your cold weather clothing before you really need it. Feet get wider, sometimes things were put away that needed mending, sometimes hats or gloves (or one glove) go missing... Better to make sure all is ready now than when a blizzard or ice storm hits.

This week's rule of Ikigai is (From the book, "Ikigai: the Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life"):

All our best to you and yours,

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

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This week's featured articles...

Chilly temps can be tough on aging joints or old injuries. I've updated our list of home remedies for arthritis to help make winter a little more comfortable. Don't forget to check the comments, too, as our readers have shared a lot of good tips over the years.

I was chatting with an online friend who was sharing the elaborate setup she used to ripen the last of the green tomatoes she brought in from the garden. It worked, but there's an easier way. This is the setup we use to ripen green tomatoes, plus other options if you're in a hurry.​

With fall apples being abundant, you may want to check out this easy apple jelly recipe with just two ingredients. There's also a fun maple apple jam recipe, too.

The Herbal Academy has a great new herbal course - Holistic Herbal Care for Kids! This is a great reference for parents and care givers.

​Enroll now to save your spot with a tuition discount and get access your two digital guides via your confirmation email. Class starts November 15!