Changing of the Seasons...

As I walked through the brisk air to the chicken coop this morning, I realized summer has quietly slipped into fall.  Our outdoor projects that piled up over the course of the summer have been taken care of (for the most part).  All of the perennials have been cut back.  The garlic and winter rye has been planted.  The raspberry plants have been transplanted to an area where they can spread further next year.  The squash is picked and ready to be stored.  Winter prep on the chicken coop is underway.   Just a few more projects to wrap up and we'll be ready for winter.

Not only is the weather changing seasons, but I feel like our family has gone through a change in seasons as well.  I think we had a bit of a mindset shift when we purchased a new parcel of land this summer.  We've lived such a jam-packed, burn the candle at both ends life for so many years and the extra land to care for forced us to slow down.  Not only did we have to dedicate time to some projects on the land; we suddenly found ourselves just being present on it as a family.  We sit back and watch the kids ride their wheelers and go-cart through the woods.  We relax and enjoy the quiet stillness and just listen to nature.  We slowed down long enough to just appreciate the time, to talk, to reflect.   And, to realize we want more time to just slow down!  We want to spend more time creating the life we want and not just living the day-to-day life we have been.  

One of the things I'm dedicating more time to is expanding the self-sustainable aspects of our homestead!  If you want to do the same, here's just a few quick tips on what you want to focus on as we soon head from fall into winter in Minnesota:

• Mow your lawn one last time and spread grass seed if needed
• Protect your plants and trees from nibbling animals with cloth or metal cages and wraps
• Trim bushes, perennials and trees as needed
• Plant winter grains and garlic
• Stock up on feed and straw bedding for the animals
• Harvest storage crops if you haven't already
• Clean summer equipment and put it away for the winter
• Clean up debris and brush piles
• Hang a heat lamp, if desired, in the chicken coop

What other projects are on your list before our Minnesota winter sets in?