As late summer eased towards fall, the metallic whine of the cicadas gave way to the chirruping chorus of crickets. Seemingly unbothered by the dry conditions, their numbers swelled, offering sustenance to a wide variety of creatures. Migrating birds passing through, young fledglings still learning to hunt, amphibians and reptiles build winter reserves, and even some mammals bulking up for winter took advantage of the bounty.

This week we'd noticed the first of the murmurations of the starlings, and other groups of migratory birds sweeping and swirling around the homestead in brilliant aerial displays. Our land had become a popular stopover place, with water, abundant cover, and food stuffs in the form of wild berries, seeds, and insects. They were glorious - at times so beautiful in their movements that it would take your breath away.

Duncan and I were talking about the dreaded Japanese beetles this week - and the various other pests that were more abundant this year - and wondering how many fledglings had been saved by being able to eat those pests when other food sources, like earthworms, were less available this year due to the drought.

They've certainly done some damage in our garden, but overall, it's minor, and the plants have kept producing. The ducks absolutely love the beetles. They hunt them where they can reach them, and we knock the beetles into a small container of water for the ducks to gobble them up. (Or grab them by hand and feed them to the ducks, but the grabby, sticky legs are creepy!)

The guys are starting to put up walls for the new power shed so we can move the solar electric inverter and batteries out of the basement utility area. As with most projects, adjustments are being made. Sometimes online ordering doesn't work out quite right. (No, Menards, we can't use 8 foot lumber where we need 10 feet lumber, even if the total board feet is the same.)

Canning and preserving continues, along with enjoying the harvest. Duncan made up a beautiful crisp with the last of the peaches, blackberries, and blueberries this week.

He topped it with a double batch of our apple crisp topping. I was amazed at the harvest from our little peach tree this year. My husband kept it watered regularly, and it rewarded his efforts. We ate some, baked with some, canned some, and dried some. Now we're shifting gears into apple season, and before long the grapes will be ready, too.

We froze the bulk of our sweet corn this week, and the boys are working on the first batch of marinara sauce for the season today. Pickled beets are on the schedule for next week, and hopefully some more canned green beans.

Keeping up with all the food preservation this time of year is like an intricate (and sometimes exhausting) dance, but it's worth it to have a well-stocked larder going into winter. It appeals to my peasant ancestry - and my pocketbook.

This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost

• Remember that usefulness depends on perspective. The bug eating your garden may be feeding a fledgling or fattening a duck. We don't have to love every part of the system to appreciate that it has a role.
• Create an environment that supports abundance. Water, shelter, healthy soil, diverse plantings, and food sources have turned our homestead into a refuge for wildlife. Small improvements to your own little corner of the world can add up over time.
• Preserve some of today's abundance for tomorrow. Freeze the corn, can the sauce, dry the fruit, or simply tuck an extra meal into the freezer. Every bit you put by now is something you won't need to buy or worry about later.
• Expect to adjust the plan. Gardens, building projects, weather, and life rarely unfold exactly as expected. (And apparently neither do lumber orders.) Adaptability is a resilience skill all its own.
• Notice the return on past investments. A watered peach tree produces a remarkable harvest. Habitat planted years ago feeds migrating birds today. A pantry filled in August feeds your family in January. Much of life's abundance comes from tending something before you need the return.

Resilience isn't a static destination. It's a dance of tending, adapting, harvesting, sharing, and preparing — working with what each season brings while building something better for the seasons still to come.

All our best to you and yours,

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

Making the Most of the Harvest

Late summer has its own rhythm. The garden decides what needs attention next, and we do our best to keep up. Some harvests head straight to the table, while others get tucked into jars or the freezer for the colder months ahead. And even among the weeds, there are interesting plants worth getting to know.

Here are a few resources to help you make good use of what's growing now.

Two ways to preserve green beans

If the beans are coming in faster than you can eat them, you have options. Canning gives you shelf-stable beans that are ready to heat and serve, while freezing is quick and easy and does a nice job of preserving their fresh flavor and texture.

My step-by-step guides walk you through both methods, so you can choose what works best for your harvest, your storage space, and the time you have available.

Read: How to Can Green Beans​
​Read: Freezing Fresh Green Beans​

Put some beets by for later

If you're harvesting beets, this old-fashioned pickled beet recipe is a family favorite. They're sweet, tangy, and beautiful on the plate — plus canning them now means an easy side dish waiting in the pantry when you need one.

Read: Pickled Beets – Just Like Grandma Used to Make​

Is it a weed — or something more?

Velvetleaf is considered a troublesome agricultural weed, but there's much more to this soft, heart-leaved plant than meets the eye. Learn how to identify it, its history and traditional uses, and why you probably don't want to let it take over your garden.

Read: Velvetleaf – Identification, Uses, and Control​

There's a lot happening behind the scenes here at Common Sense Home as we head toward fall — some of it new, and some of it years in the making.

During the next two weeks, watch for Stories from the Homestead emails on Tuesdays and Thursdays, where I'll be sharing more of the stories behind this place and the lessons we've learned along the way. We're also sharing Stories of Resilience on YouTube, with conversations about people who've faced difficult circumstances, adapted, and kept moving forward.

And, of course, the Resilient Living Summit is coming September 14–19. Amber Bradshaw and I have gathered more than 20 experienced teachers to share practical skills for growing and preserving food, preparedness, homesteading, natural health, resilient homes, and more. It's completely free to attend.

​[Register FREE for the Resilient Living Summit]​

My new book, Common Sense Preparedness, also arrives in September and is available for preorder now. It's been a long time coming, and I'm excited to finally be able to share it with you.

​[Pre-order Common Sense Preparedness]​

Whether you read the newsletter, watch an interview, join us for the Summit, buy the book, or simply put one useful idea into practice, I'm grateful to have you along for the journey.

Keep learning, keep growing, and take good care of yourself and those around you.