Those tree leaves are sure changing and from the way they are falling out of their homes, rake sales should be doing well at the hardware stores. The squirrels are at warp speed trying to gather the good black walnuts and whatever else is going to take them through the winter months. Our neighbor has a walnut tree right next to the road and the squirrels have to look out for cars as they race to gather the nuts off the road. They might also be looking for the ones that the cars have already cracked so that makes it even more dangerous for them. My brain also runs around a lot and I have a few things that could possibly need a few answers. I know that if we hear the word Covid 19 one more time, we may do something that may not be pretty but here goes. I am going to ask when was the last time we heard that we should be using hand sanitizer, wash our hands, and don’t touch our eyes? Also, how should we be caring for our masks. Throw away the paper ones with just one use? What is a “use”? What does our neck (if we pull the mask down and store it there) add to the mask? How often do we wash the fabric ones? Are they okay if wash in cold water? Do we need hot wash and hot dry? Are we going to be washing and wiping away all of our immune system? Answers welcome.

Everyone must have at least 200 rolls of toilet paper by now. Should I increase my stockpile of 11 so I will not be caught in the bare toilet paper aisles? Wow, some serious stocking up must be going on because it has been hard to get plastic storage containers in lots of places. Maybe the squirrels are using them this winter? I have been needing a lot of them to pack and store items that are not fitting in She Shed Studio B. Thank the Lord for making large barns as back up for this reason. I think I filled up all the space that 3 looms and lots more had occupied in the barn with items that were very valuable but will not fit into the She Shed. A flat space or storage area at my place never stays unused for any length of time. It is as dependable to fill up as the rise and fall of the ocean tide.

It might be true that our summer weather in fall will be deciding to stay at fall temperatures. That means we can begin to get serious about baking again and have hot drinks. The word “pumpkin” is being used more and more each day so Pumpkin Fever will continue for an- other year.

The apples season is coming on strong and if you feel like making an apple pie but don’t want to do the crust thing (even if you purchase them already made and rolled out), I will share a Crustless Apple Pie that is easy to make and has less of those things called calories. The recipe is from Delish. No peeling.

Makes 6 servings: Make hasselback apples rather than potatoes! You will need 3 large baking apple halves cut vertically and cored. Have your oven at 350 and preheat. Line a baking pan with parchment. On a cutting board, apple cut side down, use a sharp knife to cut thin slices almost down to the bottom. (They need to stay together) and then place on the baking pan and brush with 2 Tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle with white sugar. Bake until apples are soft and caramelized, about 25 minutes. REMOVE FROM OVEN. You can prepare the following mix while the apples bake…. In a small bowl: mix 4 Tablespoons melted butter, ¼ cup white sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and 2/3 cup old fashioned oats. Once the apples can be handled, spread apart and put the mix in the slits. RETURN TO OVEN for about 10 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream and then drizzle with a caramel sauce for a special treat. Cinnamon ice cream will be making a comeback soon and that also would be excellent. Bring on the house warming! Hot cider also?