Enjoying Fall

Welcome to the Back to Basics blog. This is my first entry, so bear with me.

This fall has been a typically great and colorful fall. Here are a few things I’ve been doing this October.

Here’s a small bridge I just put up across the stream in my backyard. The begonias are still looking good, but the first frost isn’t far away.

I went to a fall festival near my home a few weeks ago.  It was in Pound Ridge, New York, a hamlet tucked away in a corner of Westchester County. Their fall festival was great – we found an antique store with all sorts of old, cool things from days gone by.

Here’s a bench I almost bought, to put in the woods near my cabin in the Catskill Mountains. Price was a little steep, but I was tempted. I think I can find better than $165 though.

This is the view from the deck of my cabin in the Catskills. I’d like to put a bench somewhere right at the edge of the ledge, giving me a view down the mountain. I’ll keep looking for that bench. The next time I head up to the cabin, I’ll show you some photos — though I doubt there will be any leaves on the trees by then.

Marshmallows over an open fire, anyone? A simple, basic pleasure. When was the last time you cooked any?

Some pumpkins and gourds in front of a Pound Ridge market. I have a garden, but I’ve never tried growing pumpkins. I think the first step is to read Monte Burch’s “The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Own Food,” published by Skyhorse earlier this year.  It doesn’t seem all that difficult, really.

What’s fall without chrysanthemums?

Back home, deer in the yard. It won’t be long before the bucks start chasing away the yearlings, trying to breed the does. Where I live, this is the time when you drive extra carefully at night.

Hunting season is also on the way.   I’m hoping my buddy Bruce, who lives up the street, can supply me with some venison this year.  If you’re into that, check out another Skyhorse book, Kate Fiduccia’s book on venison cookery. It’s got amazing recipes and beautiful photos!

I’m heading up to the mountains this weekend to put in some firewood at my old hunting camp. A bunch of the guys will be up there for the annual work detail. I’ll take photos and let you know how it went. It’s supposed to be in the 20s and snowing, but we’ve got work to do. Will keep you posted.