The faded flower spikes of the mullein plants stood like sentinels, watching over the pumpkin patch. A downy woodpecker flitted in, hopping up and down the spires, looking for seeds.

We hadn't planted the mullein, but we'd made room for them when they appeared in the garden bed, as they were useful to man and beast alike.

Morning walks included sampling now, checking various fruits for ripeness. The elderberries had started to turn, but early apples were long done. The grapes needed picking soon, or the wasps would claim the harvest. The later apples needed more time, as a fruit passed around for tasting while we were walking had a significant amount of "pucker power".

Another day, I rescued a fledgling that had fallen into the ducks' water bucket. The older birds knew well enough to stay on the edges, but the young ones sometimes risked the water. Late summer meant vigilance, lest any of the tiny ones find trouble.

The wee bird was chilled from the unexpected bath, so I dried it off as best I could and sat with it for a while on the porch, letting it soak up my body heat. Then I carefully released it in the garden - well away from the cats. It was a blessing to sit quietly, sharing the peace of that late summer afternoon.

I am tired today, but grateful. The guys are making good progress on the new outbuilding that will house our rather noisy solar inverter and batteries. We've christened it "The Juice Box".

Duncan checked on the bees today before cooler weather moves in, and the ladies were very frisky and healthy. He pulled a little honey to make room for the autumn harvest, as the goldenrod is abundant and the wild asters will soon follow.

The garden harvest is smaller this year, but adequate. I feel like our plants are doing amazingly well, given the challenging conditions. Knock on wood, if the frost holds off a few more weeks, we'll be busy harvesting and processing well into October, long after many of the neighbors have thrown in the towel for the season.

Finally, two big projects are coming to fruition.

My first book with a mainstream publisher, Common Sense Preparedness: Building Resilience for Uncertain Times, officially releases on September 15th.

I received my author copies earlier this week, and it turned out wonderful. I love the weight of the pages and the strong binding. I think it'll be a good resource for those who don't consider themselves "preppers", but want to be better positioned for life's ups and downs.

The photos from the homestead capture snippets of our life — including those of my sons working with their grandpa, who passed late last year. It's great to have those memories preserved.

The second big project is the Resilient Living Summit, which starts on Monday. It's been a bit of a bear and certainly more work than I anticipated, but I think we have a great group of speakers and a lot of good information.

I'll have more information on both of these below, but first...

This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost

• Make room for unexpected gifts. Not everything valuable arrives according to plan. A volunteer plant, an unexpected friendship, or an opportunity you hadn't considered may turn out to be worth keeping.
• Pay attention to what needs you. Sometimes resilience looks like planning for years ahead. Sometimes it looks like noticing a tiny wet bird that needs a warm hand right now.
• Leave room for what comes next. The bees need space for the fall nectar flow, the pantry needs space for the next harvest, and we need space in our lives for new seasons and opportunities.
• Measure the harvest by more than quantity. A difficult growing year may yield fewer bushels, but there can still be good food on the table, lessons learned, skills strengthened, and plenty to be grateful for.
• Celebrate what you've brought to fruition. We can be so focused on the next chore or project that we forget to appreciate what we've finished. Stop for a moment and enjoy the harvest — whether it's a basket of grapes, a building taking shape, a book in your hands, or a job well done.

Abundance isn't always about having more. Sometimes it's recognizing what has grown, what has endured, and what is worth making room for next.

All our best to you and yours,

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

Making the Most of the Changing Season

September is a month for paying attention. Some plants are finishing their work for the year, others are just coming into their own, and the garden doesn’t always follow the schedule we’d prefer. This week’s articles can help you identify and use a valuable wild plant, troubleshoot reluctant tomatoes, and make good use of the apple harvest.

Mullein — More Than a Garden Volunteer

Those tall mullein plants watching over our pumpkin patch aren’t just interesting habitat for wildlife. Mullein has a long history of traditional use, and it’s a useful plant to recognize whether it volunteers in your garden or you encounter it in the wild.

Read: Mullein – Identification and Uses​

Why Won’t Those Tomatoes Ripen?

A friend mentioned this week that her tomatoes simply weren’t ripening, and given the summer we’ve had, I’m not surprised. Temperature extremes can interfere with the ripening process, so sometimes those stubborn green tomatoes aren’t a sign that you’ve done anything wrong.

If your plants are loaded with green fruit that seems stuck in limbo, this article explains what may be happening and what you can do to help.

Read: 5 Reasons Your Tomatoes Are Not Ripening + How You Can Help​

Caramel Apples Without the Sticky Face

Fresh apple pieces, warm spices, and a caramel drizzle turn a favorite fall treat into a much less messy cookie. These are especially good for sharing — which may be necessary, because they’re rather easy to keep eating.

Read: Caramel Apple Cookies​

Tuck Some Apples Away for Later

Dehydrating is one of the simplest ways to preserve apples, and dried apples take up remarkably little storage space. Eat them as apple chips, add them to oatmeal or granola, or stash some away for winter baking. The article includes tips for preventing browning, flavor variations, drying methods, and safe storage.

Read: Dehydrating Apples for Easy Homemade Apple Chips​

The seasons don’t wait for us to catch up, but paying attention helps us make the most of what’s ready, work around what isn’t, and enjoy the harvest along the way.

Two Big Things This Week

It's going to be a busy week around here!

The Resilient Living Summit starts Monday, September 14, with six days of practical presentations to help you build a more capable, resilient life. Registration is FREE, and there's still time to join us.

👉 [Register FREE for the Resilient Living Summit]​

And on Tuesday, September 15, Common Sense Preparedness: Building Resilience for Uncertain Times officially releases! If you'd like your own copy, you can order now.

👉 [Get Your Copy of Common Sense Preparedness]​

Thank you for being part of the Common Sense Home community and for sharing this journey with us. I hope you'll join me for the Summit, and I hope the book becomes a useful resource for you and your family for many years to come.