Good morning,

Our weather is perfect for October. The mornings are crisp and cool. The sunshine out of a clear blue sky warms the air and we have very pleasant days. We had 38° yesterday morning and riding to church on an open buggy was a bit chilly but fun.

The leaves on the trees have started to change color, but are still mostly green. Some trees look like they are fringed with color, just the beginning of the beauty to come. Perhaps in another week or so there will be more color.

We have not yet had a frost to kill our flowers, but it is time to get the gardens cleaned out.

Some corn has been husked and now corn shocks are standing in stately rows where the corn stalks had been. Seeing those scattered over the hillsides indeed creates a pretty scene.

The church ladies have found time to have their monthly sewing circle day again.

The first 6 weeks of our school term is history already. Time does not wait on anyone but days and weeks go by quickly.

The events at Mt. Hope for this month are:

• The Swap Meet on October, 18th – 19th
• Back to the Farm Feeder Sale October 21st at 6:00 P.M.
• Chupp’s Furniture Auction October 25th – 26th
• Fall Dairy Sale October 28th at 5:00 P.M.
• Mid Ohio Alternative Animal & Bird Sale November 1st – 2nd
• Toy and Train show November 2nd

It is interesting to look through our guest book and see where some of our customers come from. Some of the states are: OR, TN, FL, CA, IA, NE, PA, NY, TX, VA, NC, AZ also Brazil and Norway.

There are lots or recipes for squash, pumpkin, apples, etc. It is difficult to choose one to include here.

Here is one to make cider syrup for pancakes that I found in the Simply Supper CookBook.

Apple Cider Syrup
2 cups apple cider, divided
¼ cup evaporated cane juice
2 ½ tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ cup butter

In a quart saucepan, bring 1 ¾ cup apple cider to a boil. Meanwhile mix evaporated cane juice, cornstarch, and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Add remaining ¼ cup apple cider and lemon juice. Stir well and add this mixture to hot apple cider. Heat and stir until boiling, thickened and smooth. Remove from heat: add butter and stir to melt. Serve over pancakes.

Oh, magnify the lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! Psalms 34:3

Until next time, Sovilla