Happy Fall!

Happy Fall!
The leaves are changing,the mornings are chillllly, and fires have begun in the cookstove. I took my first HOT bath in about a year, and it was fabulous. The solar water just doesn't give ya hot hot water , for a relaxing bath ;)
We have pulled most all of our garden, pruned the blueberry bushes and the raspberries, fed the bees and tucked them in for the winter, and picked loads of shiitakes which will produce again next spring.

I have fallen into craft mode Big time. The seasons seem to change at the right time for me. I am always ready to slow down and hibernate, just in time for those chilly winds to start blowin'.

Our solar is completely hooked up and we are calling the power company this week, to disconnect!
I will save that for my next blog, as my head isn't in the right place right now to try n explain all of that. Its been a bit complicated and has taken some learning and a whole lotta caution. ( those batteries were expensive, and we are just testing the waters now, afraid to drain them to low)
there have been many many bumps in the road,,, but we are there!

My daughter Norah and I have been busy crafting and decorating for fall and cookin up all kinds of baked goodies in the cookstove..
This week we made homemade Hot pretzels,, check below for the recipe.

I hope everyone is enjoying the change of seasons! I would love to hear what you look forward to during the Fall season....


Blessings
The Cool Family

Pretzel Recipe
4 tsp Yeast
1 1/4 C. Warm water
5 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C Baking soda
4 cups hot water ( brought to a low boil)
1 Tbsp oil
salt
Dissolve yeast in warm water, let sit until creamy. In a separate bowl mix flour sugar and salt.
Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and add Yeast mixture and Oil. gather into a ball and knead for about 7-8 minutes, cover in oiled bowl and let rise for 1 hr.
divide dough into 12 pieces, roll out into 24" ropes , take each end and criss cross over to form a pretzel shape ( basically a knot).
Drop into baking soda and hot water for about 30 seconds, Brush with egg and add your favorite seasoning ( salt, garlic, sugar n cinnamon etc)
Bake at 450 for about 8-10 minutes!

You can find these stockings along with many other items,  on my shop at
www.Backporchthreadz.etsy.com