Letchworth it was.... or so I kept telling myself for a couple of weeks. I had been so busy, and I knew I just needed to leave it all behind and go to Letchworth State Park, drink in the fall colors and be near the water. That was about a month ago and this past weekend came and went, and I still had not made it. Monday came and as I sat to write out a grocery list an idea began to formulate. What if I headed to Geneseo to grocery shop and took a slight detour via Letchworth State Park! Yes, the colors were all finished, it was drizzly weather, and not necessarily the best day I could have chosen, but oh, it did wonders for my soul. I parked the car, donned my thick sweater and headed for the pathway to the falls and the very well-known bridge.
I hadn't gone very far before I just stood and listened to the water and breathed in the beauty of the area. It wasn't that the sun was shining, it wasn't that it was warm and dry, but it was refreshing all the same. I took a stroll up towards the bridge and stopped again, yes, it didn't sound like the waves crashing on the beach that I grew up appreciating back home, but it was the sound of water rushing over rocks, and all the same it was great. I didn't stop for too long before I went on my way. Shopping of course wasn't quite as interesting but a necessity all the same. Then it was back home to ....... Ozzy.......
Our usually sweet natured buck....... who once sweet is now on a mission, and that mission means he is very intent on anything with legs that makes it into his enclosure!!! It was just a week ago that breeding season began on the farm, and he is now a happy, but yet still very persistent buck who is thoroughly enjoying being in with the ladies. He seems to constantly wear this look on his face, his head slightly on one side and his eyes summing up every and any situation.
I still cannot quite believe that here we are again at breeding season. It seems like just yesterday that our sweet little kids were heading to new homes, and life suddenly became quiet on the farm. It is a time that we eagerly await on the farm, after the usually long winters that we get here in WNY. It certainly gives us something to look forward to. Without the not so quiet persistence of our Ozzy, we wouldn't be able to look forward to kids on the farm. So as much as he likes us to know he is around and follow our every move this time of year - we have to be thankful for our ever present, ever cheeky Ozzy.
This time of year, we also begin to see signs of what is to come. It kind of made me chuckle as I drove home from shopping the other day. The passings of the seasons and the markers that we see, in the leaves falling and ...... the snow fence panels ready and waiting to be put in place by the side of the road. I wasn't quite ready to see this just yet, but you can't stop what is to come so you may as well prepare.
That being said, we began to prepare here at home in other ways. I'm not sure about where you are living, but here in WNY there seems to be all sorts of things running the gauntlet right now, from stomach bugs to colds. So, like the snow fences lining the side of the road, I decided it was time to pull out the defenses.
I'll give you a clue, fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, honey, and elderberries...... you guessed it...... it was time to make elderberry syrup. I haven't made any in a couple of years, but I knew that my husband had collected some elderberries this year and I didn't want to put all that hard work to waste. Elderberry syrup is a powerhouse that is great to take in the winter months. So, today was the day and we now have some syrup ready and waiting in the fridge.
So, from Letchworth State Park, to Ozzy our over eager buck, to elderberry syrup we've already packed quite a lot into our week and it's only Wednesday. I look forward to the event we have taking place this Saturday and Sunday at the Genesee Country Village and Museum Holiday Market and of course fulfilling the orders that we already have coming in for our Christmas/ Winter fragrances and gift bags. However, I'm still determined as the month goes on to make it back out to Letchworth, to breathe in the stillness and the lovely sound of the falls.
Here's to a good week from our family to yours.... and of course, from Ozzy too!
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