I’m feeling slightly whelmed right now. Between work, fall at the farm and the rest of my life, I have a lot to do. Fall always comes with a long to-do list… and a looming deadline of the weather. This year the pressure feels a bit more intense.
I am going back to my word of the year, and I am choosing what I focus on (another word of the year for you) right now. That means I have not cleaned the bathroom, but I am afloat with work and gearing up on some other projects and deadlines. (And my cousin is coming this afternoon to help mow the grass.)
I always work best when I break tasks down and give myself a deadline. So I’m putting my most critical fall tasks here for the record. If I can accomplish these three things before the end of the year, I will be happy.
Close out the vegetable garden
The garden did pretty well this year. But spending some time to put it to bed properly will help it do even better next year. Tops on the list are pruning the raspberries, weeding the asparagus, and tidying up our growing beds. If I can get a couple more growing beds set up that would be icing.
Close up the barn wall
The side of the barn where the old coop was is still a large hole covered with paper house wrap. I want to build a new coop inside this corner of the barn. But first I have to build a new exterior wall. I don’t want to spend another winter with the barn open, so this is a high priority task.
Clean out the barn
Matt has a lot of stuff stored in the barn. I started clearing out one section last year, and I’d really like to finish it. This is a big task that would bring me a lot of peace to complete.
There are a bunch of other small things–turning off the water, taking off the window screens, bringing some plants inside, putting away patio furniture–but those will squeeze in where they can. These bigger projects will take a bit more effort (and likely some help), but hopefully I can accomplish them by winter.
Home on 129 Acres 
Good morning Julia,
I get the overwhelming feeling with the timeline of nice weather coming to a close in getting outside in time to finish tasks before the cold weather takes over. Living on a large property, like you do, adds more pressure with this timeline no doubt. You are wise in not making your ‘to do’ list short with any additional tasks getting completed a bonus.
For myself, we have a small perennial garden, that is my baby, in the back yard that is looking untidy. I’m tempted to cut back everything to the ground so that when spring arrives there will be less to tackle. However, in reading what is ‘best’ for the plants I will do my best to hold off letting nature take its course in protecting the crowns of many of the plants. I don’t want to have to tackle digging out plants that didn’t make it over the winter because of my haste in wanting to ‘get the job done’ now. Sometimes when we make a list of a few things that do get check off our list it gives us a sense of accomplishment enabling time to step back enjoying the beauty that fall provides in seeing the leaf colour change, listening and watching the birds that are active now, attending fall fairs, etc. Chores will always be there. Stop and smell the roses is an old cliche but a valid one.
Having something to look forward to often helps with the feeling of being overwhelmed in the present moment. Winter for me can be long and daunting. Shorter days, cold/snowy weather can feel isolating. Having booked a 2 week holiday in Mexico with Audrey and Steve this winter is something that I’m looking forward to in coping with the winter. We will miss Audrey not being there. I’m hoping Steve still decides to go. Perhaps joining Steve on this holiday would give you and Ellie something to look forward to in enjoying the sun and sand this winter.
Happy upcoming Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Pam
Thanks for sharing your situation, Pam. There’s comfort in knowing I’m not alone. Having something to look forward to is a good point. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.