Simple Favorites & Life At Our Farmhouse (Oct. 2017)

October brings with it a change in the seasons. It also it a great time to start new things – like a simple favorites addition to Cleverly Simple. I’ve wanted to share with you more of the personal tidbits on the blog for quite awhile and I thought now was as good of a time as any. I hope to share at least once a month the favorite products I’m using, changes at our farmhouse and all around randomness that I want to share. I tend to be an over-sharer at times but if it saves you time in efficiency in your home then I say – it’s all worth it.

The Farmhouse

We had some major changes on our property this past week.  After much research with an arborist and many nervous nights with 35+ mpg winds (we do live on a hill), we made the decision to cut down four of our trees.  The trees were all close to the home and two of them literally hung over our roof.  It was emotional for me to make the decision as I tend to be pretty sentimental about our home – like in all things.  I thought about my ancestors who planted the trees and how much change the trees had witnessed.

But I also know that we want to preserve the home, and a tree falling on it would not be the best thing.  So, four trees came down in one day.  Two of them ended up being rotten inside like we had suspected.  One was already half down from being hit by lightning decades ago.  The last one in the front of the home we were told had major weak points.  It’s the one that I was most nervous about hitting our home.  It had a branch that was bigger than most trees and it would scrape up against the house.  The tree came down – it broke my heart.

You can see that we still have quite a few trees.  I still feel a little sad about cutting a few of them down, though.  But the good news is that you can actually see our home from the road.  With the blessing of so many big old trees, they overwhelm the house.  And while I’m not one to do things just because they look good – this was a good change for our property.

Harvest Time

It’s one of my favorite times of year.  After watching the beans and corn grow around us, it’s time for my brother to harvest it all.  It really is amazing how much grows over the summer and how a combine gets those little beans out of the large plants.

My contribution was driving the truck to deliver some of the corn.  I’ve wanted to help deliver for awhile but needed to learn the logistics of waiting in line at the elevator as well as how to maneuver a large truck.  I am happy to say that I was needed a couple of weekends ago because corn moves so much faster than beans in terms of the number of bushels coming in.  So off I went and all went pretty well.  We still have a few more acres to harvest and then the season will be over.

Dish Cloths

So, I’ve found my favorite dish cloths of all time.  Our little Amish bakery is selling them and I fell in love.  It’s the little things that make me happy.  I bought six more this past week since they are less than $1 each.  They’re so soft and have these little ridges that catch every little crumb when I’m cleaning up the kitchen.  I did find something similar online if you’re interested in falling in love with your dish cloths. 😘

Bulk Food Stores

I am definitely lucky to live near an Amish bulk food store.  It doesn’t have a lot but the basics are there and the prices are great.  This past week I also was able to visit my favorite bulk food store in Ohio, The Ashery.  It was sooooo busy.   It made me appreciate my little bulk food store nestled in where most people are unaware of it’s existence.  (I don’t have pictures of it yet, as I’m mindful of the Amish that work there.) The Ashery did not disappoint in selection, but next time I go, I’ll make sure to not go on a Friday.  I stocked up on candy for our gingerbread houses we make each December.  I also bought some other basics they don’t have near us.

All in all, it was a productive month.  The boys got the stomach flu and bounced back, the leaves are changing, we had trees taken down, I turned another year older and beautiful fall sunsets were observed.  I’m relishing these next few weeks because I know that winter is coming and with it the drafts of an old house.  But then, Christmas!  🙂

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What were a few highlights for you in October?  Let me know by leaving a comment below!