Time has glided by so quickly that it’s hard for me to realize that it is the middle of October and colder weather is just around the corner. Harvest is once again ahead of us and let’s hope we are blessed with an abundance, weather and time to tackle the overwhelming task ahead for all farmers. We are no longer involved in the actual farming, but when you have a son who took over, we do get involved. I don’t think my farmer husband would be happy not to be involved and helpful. Here on the farm this is the busiest time of the year. It is rush, rush but we do find some time during these glorious days to take a Sunday ride. It used to be a walk, but my walking isn’t too good yet so we just take drives. We used to always take a drive through northeast Iowa, but now we have a beautiful spot that doesn’t take a day to take in all the beauty of fall, Eldora is a beautiful spot for fall color, especially around Pine Lake. There is a drive between Steamboat Rock and 175 with a park about half-way down this road so you can take in the European suspension bridge. The park was built by Hardin County because there were so many people going the back roads, just to see the bridge. Also the Hardin County Conservation and other organizations have a Sunday brunch through the fall. This drive will give you a shortened version of the colors of autumn. To all things there is a season – so enjoy this one.

Nature and seasons have their own degrees, and one of them there is a time for harvest. At that time the suns rays become less intense; some of the trees change their dresses from greens to red, yellows, browns, and silver. garden foods find their way to jars, or into storage areas and the harvest grains reveal the success of labor put into it. As we view our grown children accepting responsibilities and relieving us of their care, we look into a period of life that are colors of different hues. It is up to us to make the colors brighter. When someone asks me how I’m getting along with my hip, I hate to complain because my doctors tell me it could be two years. My hip is just fine; it is the hardware in my leg that is slow. However, I’m not getting any younger, but I don’t have it too bad compared to some people. The most important, I have a family and friends who care. I don’t mean sympathy, but being encouraging.

If you are like us we are getting plenty of apples and here is a recipe that is easy and tasty.

APPLE NUT BREAD

2 cups sugar

1 cup margarine

4 eggs

4 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. soda

3 cups diced apples

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup nuts

Cream sugar and margarine; add eggs. Add flour, baking powder and soda. Add apples, nuts, vanilla. Batter will be very thick. Put into 2 loaf pans and sprinkle the top with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Makes 2 loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

“Celebrate Autumn.”