You would not believe how hard it is to get myself to write here these days. Is it the longer hours of darkness? The continued challenges of transition? The lack of self interest/worth? Ugh. So, I'm here to prime the pump...to not judge and censor what I choose to share. In order make it easy I've decided to "list" what I've been up to this fall.
First off, I've finished just about all the planting I'm going to do. I have a couple ashwaganda plants and a sea buckthorn, but I may just keep them protected in their little two inch pots over the winter (I imagine both are going to go dormant). Of the plants that did go in, only one of the black currants has shed all its leaves. With the current colder temps I would imagine most of the other plants will follow suit shortly. There were a number of annuals that recently got zapped by frost, which I've since removed. It would probably be a good idea to mulch heavily all that will be overwintered...and mark where I've planted things! Needless to say (if you've seen any of the pictures of my lot) there's still a good amount of leaf raking in my future. After the raking and the mulching, though, it will be time to allow myself the winter pleasure of planning next year's garden (I have regular discussions with a gardener who is working with me, and he's come up with some awesome ideas...I feel fortunate to have found a pro who understands my gardening style). It would probably behoove me to start a garden notebook as well.
On the food front, I successfully cultured a wild yeast and made my first loaf of sourdough. With flour that was procured from Sub Rosa bakery here in town (at the Fire, Flour, Fork conference last month I had the good fortune to hear a talk by the founder of the bakery and got inspired!), ground fresh on site with wheat berries from North Carolina, its a pretty good home made local loaf! At first the rise was so slow I thought I'd end up with a brick, but it came through in the end. Not perfect and by no means like the light rye bread I bought that was baked by Sub Rosa, but it's tasty and has given me a sense of accomplishment. Another feather in my fermentation cap! Other than that...I've been stocking my liquor cabinet for the winter and hope to get some vodka to use for making krupnik (Polish spiced honey vodka) for the holidays.
The last thing I'll mention regarding food, is to say that I'm absolutely delighted to have moved to a town that's got a lot of good things going on in that realm. A number of national publications are putting my adopted home on the map for the dedication and skill being exhibited by our local food folks! That's a great thing.
On to wood stove news! It's in, it's permitted and I'm actually learning how to use it. Yes, I've been practicing a LOT. Thankfully the paint has cured (no more icky odor and smoke) so it's a pleasure to crank it up. In reality, though, my fires have been in the moderate range...right in the middle of the "burn zone". I've yet to get the gumption to really get it going. Fire's a powerful force, just like the other elements, and I approach it with respect. My only problem, if you can call it that, is that I'll sit down in front of the stove, feel the warmth and be so mesmerized by the flames that I don't feel like moving!
It's really quite remarkable how effecient wood stoves are. While I was bummed at first by the fact that my fireplace didn't work right, now I'm glad! Even if it had been effective at drafting and didn't cause the house to fill with smoke, the fireplace would never put out the heat the way my little Jotul does.
As far as my artwork goes...well, it goes. I shoot, process, scan and that's about as far as I take it right now. I've been really pleased with some of the autumn color images I've made, so there's that. Every now and again I get a twinge to make something physical, but all that energy is still being put into home and garden. Truly, home and garden are just easier...they don't take the psychic energy that art making does. One of these days...
The holidays are coming. I'll be heading out to the Bay Area next week to spend Thanksgiving with the family. That will be wonderful and probably challenging in its own way...not probably. Coming back to my new home might be the challenging part. Still it's a time of year I've always loved for what I feel deep down from it. It's not about fuss and bother, but about the quiet time (winter) for contemplation and preparation for rebirth into a new year. Don't get me wrong, I love the traditions that I hold dear in my heart, to decorate and cook and offer hospitality...but it's really the quiet reflection and profound hope that fill me with joy. I'll need to dive deep this year, especially as I'm still on the lookout for my future livelihood (a subject around which I have many personal issues), and could use all the emotional bolstering I can find!
So, that sums up what's been going on at Baba Yaga's house this autumn. I'm sure I've forgotten something, but those are the highlights. If I don't post again until after the Thanksgiving holiday, I wish you all a wonderful one filled with warmth, love and sharing.
