It was time to take this elm tree down.  It didn't leaf last year or this year. Elm trees are gnarly hard wood-- a bit hard to cut. 

David Becker and David Bascom (a logger) came over with their chain saws to fell this big tree for us. (Notice the leaves behind the tree)

Once the tree was down, then the really hard work began.   Cutting in all into log lengths, cutting off the small branches.        Stacking and re-stacking.  The work began about 1:30 in the afternoon.  Steve was still out working about 6pm.  When I arrived home, I noticed the splitter in the field, so I guess that means we will be splitting wood during the week.

  Chain saw, Chain saw, Chain saw.

Cut, Cut, Cut!

 The tree lays up hill ready to be brought down to size.

 Such beautiful rings.

They were able to cut up some of the wood.

Some logs were brought to the top of the drive.

I'll go out tomorrow and take a few pictures of the logs, branches, and split wood. 

I am thankful that this will add to our firewood after it dries out.

Food for the Body

Our health is affected by so many things:

stress, sleep or lack of sleep, food or non-food, 

exercise  or the lack of movement, air, genetics, and the list goes on.

There are somethings we just can't change about our health--it is genetics.

But there is much we can do to improve our health.  

Food is something we all have control over. 

Food is the center of much of our social life.

Food is what builds and nourishes our bodies.

It effects how we feel, how we think, and how we sleep.

Steve is taking a good amount of higher education nutrition courses and 

we all have been delving into books and watching videos and webinars.

Slowly we have changed our diet.

We have taken on a very low grain, low carb, low sugar(or any sweetener)

and high quality fats, high vegetable, high quality grass-fed meats and dairy. 

We sit down to enjoy a dinner of wild caught salmon, buttered steamed broccoli, roasted cauliflower, and baked sweet potatoes. 

Filling and nourishing. 

Healthy.

Dessert is always so delicious.  Chocolate Avocado pudding.

Avocados, dates, raw cacao powder, coconut oil. -- Healthy!

Thankful for the foods that God has supplied!

Pumpkins and Grands

Rebecca came up with the children to spend a few days this week.

Whenever they come the time is always busy doing a little of this and a little of that.

Often times "The Little People" don't get to spend much time with 'Grandma' - ME!

I had to run some errands..I told Abigail and Stephen they could go with me. 

Our first stop was Harlow's Farm Stand to pick up some kale and onions.

But what we discovered was pumpkins lining the walks, walls, and shelves just waiting for a photo shoot.

Then we were off to Allen Brothers Farm stand to purchase fall flowers for our deck.

 A stop at the grocery finished up our shopping list.

 Since Wednesday was "Gas" day, Stephen helped me pump gas into the Outback.

 Our final stop of this morning was the Post Office.  

Abigail help me mail my package and retrieve our mail from the box.

I am thankful for the little bits of time I get to spend with these "Little People" who are so dear to my heart!

Celebrate -- First Day of Fall

Summer Garden Vegetable with Herb Dumplings-- the cook was Lydia

This smelled and tasted so wonderfully good. 

 A couple wonderful apple pies with apples from right here in Walpole--

 the baker was Moriah.  

Isn't it just so beautiful.

I am thankful that my girls like to cook and bake. 

They like to try out new recipes and repeat the ones we love.