Links Make the World Go 'Round

Happy Thursday everyone! Oh, and if you're a fan, Happy First Day of Football Season! Go 'Hawks!

I've been running around outside in between rainstorms trying to get things buttoned up for the season. Now, they're calling for sunny days and temps back up in the 80s again, through the weekend. I don't know about you, but 20 degree swings in temperature from one day to the next really throw my system out of whack. I stacked firewood by our back door yesterday, which is going to feel (and look) kind of goofy come Saturday when it's hot out. No harm done, I suppose; at least it's off the list for now- and I needed to make room over in the main stacking area for when Alex brings home the rest of this year's wood, which should be soon.

Here's what's caught my eye online, this week:

• I was just talking about this the other day, after reading some of the comments after the butchering day posts. (By and large, the comments were very positive- and the overall tone stayed civil. That's awesome.)
• My dehydrator is packed full of pears and plums, at the moment. Here's a handy reference sheet for drying fruits and veggies, at home. 
• What the heck? Fake cell phone towers??
• I use a version of the Deep Litter method in my chicken coop, year-round. Properly managed, it's a clean and efficient way of housing the birds, without all of the fuss of cleaning poop boards daily or emptying out the coop weekly. Here's another article on DLM, from Mother Earth News on it, too. 
• I love stacking firewood... it's like my own personal game of homestead Jenga. 
• Does anyone out there freeze kale or other greens? I have a ton of it right now, so I'd like to preserve some for the winter. I've just never tried it, myself. 
• I know we have a few die-hard cast iron fans among us, so this one's for you! Check these recipes out... the pizza is on my list to try, for sure.
• As if feral pigs weren't bad enough. (Totally random, I know.)
• Simple and Beautiful. This photographer sees things in a way I absolutely relate to. 

Well, the morning fog has burned off, so it's time for me to get outside and tick off a few more chores from my list while the sun is shining, but before it gets blazing hot out there. Have a great day, folks!

We Have Another Giveaway!

As much as I can grumble about the shift away from summer, the truth is that I love Autumn. I'm an October baby, so really, I shouldn't be too surprised- it's in my blood, after all. One of the best things about the changing seasons is having an opportunity (excuse?) to hunker down with a good book when the weather doesn't lend itself to my being outside.

That being said: Could there be a better way to kick off the upcoming season than with a book giveaway? I think not! I'm super excited to announce that the wonderful folks at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds have generously given me a copy of their beautiful book The Heirloom Life Gardener to share with one lucky reader.

Much like their stunning catalog, the book is packed full of great information as well as some truly beautiful photos. It's definitely a lovely addition to any gardener's bookshelf, if I may say so.

About the book, from the Baker Creek website:

"The Heirloom Life Gardener is the first comprehensive guide to heirloom gardening—whether you're just starting out in your backyard or have been gardening for years.

The Heirloom Life Gardener is not just another boring how-to book based on the latest gardening trends. It is a fun-to-read book that weaves Jere's and Emilee's personal lives and life-long adventures in gardening into a resource of tried and true methods of gardening based on necessity and economy—the way it is done at Baker Creek.

Both beginning gardeners and already successful gardeners will benefit from tips to help them avoid many costly mistakes. 240 pg. Colorful Hardcover. "

Still want to know more? The book was featured on NPR, too! Click here to check it out.

To enter the giveaway: Leave a comment here, or on Facebook, and tell me what you're looking forward to doing this coming Autumn and Winter, now that the gardening season is winding down. Are you a crafter? A quilter? A four-season outdoorsy person? I want to hear about it! 

The fine print: US entries only, one entry per person. Entries accepted until 11:59PM on September 23, 2014. Winner will be picked via a random-number generator. I have not been compensated for this post, aside from being given the copy of the book to giveaway, and my opinion of the book and the company remain my own. 

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day, everyone! I hope you're having an enjoyable weekend... I am! I've been busy canning around 50 pounds of tomatoes, with the help of my mom and sister. We even squeezed in one quick batch of Vanilla Pears for my mom, this morning. It's been a lot of work, but well worth the effort!!