Fall Challenge

[hana]

Here's the Fall challenge. A bit early, my company's retreat is this weekend so I'm busy finishing up some event planning and getting some stuff done before the end of the fiscal year.

October finish it project
November finish it project
December finish it project
work on 2026 goals
fall trip
Spider quilt
Sort summer clothing
Pull up winter blankets

[hana]

Guess the server issues ate my earlier post

October finish it project 25% done
November finish it project not yet
December finish it project not yet
work on 2026 goals no
fall trip packing and at the what did I forget stage
Spider quilt 25% done
Sort summer clothing not yet
Pull up winter blankets too warm

Leaving on the fall trip soon and the weather says it will be unusually warm in the Midwest for out trip, though part of it will be colder than usual. We're packing for all four seasons at this point. October's project is a pair of socks, between the trip and volunteering at the community haunted house, I figure a small project I can work on during down time is best.

[rosarugosa]

I had posted my list during the server issues, so will re-post it now. I'm keeping it modest because I expect Mom to become more high maintenance and it's a busy time for the rose garden restoration.

Closet cleanout
Seasonal stuff: hoses, hammock, container plants, fountain, storm door panels, etc.
Complete "Five Wishes" document
Prepare for Holiday Stroll on 12/6 where we will have a table selling pottery
Experiment with watercolor paint set
Get radiator covers for parlor and front porch (I think we're going to buy metal ones like the one we scored for the bedroom).



Hana, I love your reference to the "what did I forget stage" of packing. That is definitely a thing, isn't it? I usually do a pre-packing list of "things I'm afraid I might forget." ;)

[hana]

rosaragusa, I ended up forgetting a headlight I meant to put into my coat so I wouldn't forget it. I forgot, it was cooler than I thought and I'm glad I remembered the fall jacket. I make a check list for what to pack and another one to make sure it goes home with me. Husband's hometown is very rural and there's no streetlights and it gets really dark at night. Trip completed and gifts distributed to neighbor and local family. Some are gifts and will be delivered in December.

October finish it project 90% done, will finish tonight
November finish it project not yet
December finish it project not yet
work on 2026 goals vague idea
fall trip done
Spider quilt 25% done
Sort summer clothing not yet
Pull up winter blankets too warm

[rosarugosa]

I've completed the closet cleanout.
We've ordered the radiator covers. Apparently it will be another 2 -3 weeks before they are delivered. Then I'm going to need to purchase some new curtains, because the lengths of the curtains above the radiators don't work anymore. I have lace curtains from Rue de France purchased in 2005, and they are no longer in business. It's too bad, because I tend to find what I like and like it forever. They are a bit fragile at this point though, and I don't think they could be altered successfully. I guess 20 years is a decent run for curtains though. I've picked out a company and a lace pattern, and they do custom sizes, which is necessary because my windows are apparently not standard sizes. I'm going to wait until the radiator covers are actually in place before I take measurements and order. I did get swatches, and this is what I've selected. It's prettier and brighter in person: https://www.londonlace.com/store/p/29-Dragonfly-Nottingham-Lace-Curtain-Yardage.html

[Tybee]

That is so pretty.

[hana]

October finish it project done
November finish it project done
December finish it project not yet
work on 2026 goals vague idea
fall trip done
Spider quilt 25% done
Sort summer clothing not yet
Pull up winter blankets done

Temperature started dropping and I had husband pull the blankets out of storage. If he's on furlough, I might as well take advantage while he's home. November finish it was a pair of slippers my mom asked for, made and dropped off. Thinking about assigning a project to a specific month with smaller projects on busy months and a larger one on a less busy month. The shutdown skewed my calendar a bit. Haven't sorted summer clothing yet, looking like we're done with the hot weather until the nice week in February. So that will be this weekend's project. Have a block on the spider quilt, I think I'll put it aside and let 2026 hana deal with it.

[rosarugosa]

It sounds like you are making good progress, Hana. I have a quilt related story. There was recently a quilt show at our local senior center. I didn't get a chance to go, but saw pictures online and some of the quilts were amazing. Our friend who takes care of my mother went, and fell in love with a magnificent bird quilt on display. It was not for sale, but my friend was passionate about buying it for my mother who always loved watching the birds, and the woman finally relented. This is the quilt:
6610

As far as my list goes:
Closet cleanout - done
Seasonal stuff: hoses, hammock, container plants, fountain, storm door panels, etc. - completed this week except for 2 potted annuals that are still blooming nicely.
Complete "Five Wishes" document
Prepare for Holiday Stroll on 12/6 where we will have a table selling pottery - I've started posting on local social media and have already generated a bit of interest in my town-related ornaments
Experiment with watercolor paint set
Get radiator covers for parlor and front porch (I think we're going to buy metal ones like the one we scored for the bedroom) - they were delivered two days ago, and they are very satisfactory. Now I need to deal with the curtains.

[rosarugosa]

I emailed London Lace with measurements to request a quote for my curtains.
I finally played around with the watercolors a bit. DH had broken a porcelain item that I really like. I glued it together, but I needed to do some paint touch-ups. I got out the watercolors, which worked well for my repair project. While they were out, I figured it was a prime opportunity to get out some paper and paint a bit, since I seemed to have almost a mental block about doing so. I did some painting worthy of a 5 year old, but it was a start!

[nswef]

Baby steps Rosa! Enjoy what you are learning.

[hana]

October finish it project done
November finish it project done
December finish it project 10% done
work on 2026 goals vague idea
fall trip done
Sort summer clothing done
Pull up winter blankets done




Decided to punt on the quilt, it's 2026 hana's problem now. Started on the December finish project, it's a pair of socks that will be a gift. Summer clothing is washed and packed away. There are a few things in the mending bag. Decided the theme for 2026 is matching energy, just tired of co-irkers or others that demand my time and energy and offer nothing in return. Going to assign a project a month with larger projects when my work is slow and smaller travel friendly ones when I have to travel or busier times.

[KayLR]

Ha, co-irkers! I'll have to share that one with my daughter, who has several.��

[rosarugosa]

Our fair is coming up on 12/6, so we spent a great deal of time yesterday sorting, organizing and pricing pottery, as well as gathering supplies like bags and bubble wrap. We just have a few more things to pull together.

[Tybee]

Finished sending out of town Christmas gifts.
Finished ordering gifts for all grandchildren.
Hung up Christmas lights in yard.
Found two potential fruitcake recipes--this is the year I am making it, after 25 years of thinking about making it.

[rosarugosa]

Finished sending out of town Christmas gifts.
Finished ordering gifts for all grandchildren.
Hung up Christmas lights in yard.
Found two potential fruitcake recipes--this is the year I am making it, after 25 years of thinking about making it.

It definitely takes us a little longer to get going on some things than others!

[rosarugosa]

So we completed the 12/6 fair, and signed up for another on 12/13, as mentioned in another thread. Fortunately, the sorting and pricing is already done, and the learning/remembering curve from having done it all a week ago rather than a year ago, will make this a much lower-effort proposition. I also don't expect to make nearly as much money at this one, but hopefully we can reduce our inventory, and make at least a little bit.

[Tybee]

So far the fruitcake project is expensive!! I ordered two antique tins and I have a third non antique that will work. But the tins are too small for regular cakepans and I haven't decided whether to order new pans or not, small enough for the tins. I guess I should. The fruit alone is 6-10 dollars a container and I need several and nuts, too. Then I need bourbon. This is one hefty project, but I guess I'll see it through.

[nswef]

tybee, I await the results of your fruitcake experiment!!! I hope they are outstandingly delicious.

[Tybee]

I will report back with photo of results!

[rosarugosa]

Tybee: Doesn't everyone hate fruitcake though? It is the butt of so many jokes that I didn't think anyone actually liked it. I imagine there are lots of different recipes, but I know many fruitcakes have citron in them, which is a big yuck from me. I suppose they might be yummy without it though, and some people must love citron or else it wouldn't be a thing.

[iris lilies]

Tybee: Doesn't everyone hate fruitcake though? It is the butt of so many jokes that I didn't think anyone actually liked it. I imagine there are lots of different recipes, but I know many fruitcakes have citron in them, which is a big yuck from me. I suppose they might be yummy without it though, and some people must love citron or else it wouldn't be a thing.
Every year our friends invite us to their home after Christmas for their annual fruit cake serving. They get the fruitcake from A Nunnery..?? Or something like that. And that fruitcake is pretty good.


I think having it fresher, not that dried up crap that you buy as a mass distributed item, is decent. Fruitcake can be pretty good.

[happystuff]

Good luck with the fruitcake, Tybee. I've heard the same as rr, so I would definitely like to see your results!

[Tybee]

The fruitcakes you might be thinking of, like the Claxton ones--theybear little relation to the fruitcakes my mother made. I am looking at tons of old recipes and it looks like there is "white fruitcake" and "black fruitcake" and she made the black fruitcake, which has molasses, spices, fruits, nuts. Then you soak it in bourbon or rum or brandy. Bourbon was my favorite. You keep infusing it and keep it going for weeks--you can do months--with adding more bourbon. It's almost more like a plum pudding concept, with a lot of booze added. My friends in college would fight over who got pieces of that fruitcake, it was so good.

[rosarugosa]

The fruitcakes you might be thinking of, like the Claxton ones--theybear little relation to the fruitcakes my mother made. I am looking at tons of old recipes and it looks like there is "white fruitcake" and "black fruitcake" and she made the black fruitcake, which has molasses, spices, fruits, nuts. Then you soak it in bourbon or rum or brandy. Bourbon was my favorite. You keep infusing it and keep it going for weeks--you can do months--with adding more bourbon. It's almost more like a plum pudding concept, with a lot of booze added. My friends in college would fight over who got pieces of that fruitcake, it was so good.

That sounds good, as long as there is no citron! :~)

[Tybee]

We were talking about citron yesterday because we both thought it was just fancy lemon but apparently it's its own fruit, citron, which is more primitive than the modern lemon and orange!

[rosarugosa]

We were talking about citron yesterday because we both thought it was just fancy lemon but apparently it's its own fruit, citron, which is more primitive than the modern lemon and orange!

And I may be using the word incorrectly. I think it's actually candied citrus peel I object to. I really love tart things; I will happily suck on a lemon or lime wedge, and I'm crazy about grapefruit, but the peels are supposed to be thrown away or composted, IMHO. That stuff is just bitter, bitter, bitter!

[Tybee]

Well, I made them. I cheaped out and bought brandy instead of bourbon, which was a mistake. I froze two and so I might buy some bourbon on those two. I made one with grape juice for the non-drinkers.
I cooked them too long--it was four hours at 250, and yeah, they came out a bit dry, ugh. I overbrandied one and it is looking a bit soggy. I haven't tried the brandy soaked ones, as they need at least a week.

The smell sent me into kind of an emotional tailspin, missing my mom. The taste of the grape juice one was exactly as I remembered. My husband said it was amazing.

I will have to involve my daughter in law and granddaughers in making them in future, it's incredibly depressing. I wasn't prepared for my house smelling like my childhood Christmases.

[happystuff]

Well, I made them. I cheaped out and bought brandy instead of bourbon, which was a mistake. I froze two and so I might buy some bourbon on those two. I made one with grape juice for the non-drinkers.
I cooked them too long--it was four hours at 250, and yeah, they came out a bit dry, ugh. I overbrandied one and it is looking a bit soggy. I haven't tried the brandy soaked ones, as they need at least a week.

The smell sent me into kind of an emotional tailspin, missing my mom. The taste of the grape juice one was exactly as I remembered. My husband said it was amazing.

I will have to involve my daughter in law and granddaughers in making them in future, it's incredibly depressing. I wasn't prepared for my house smelling like my childhood Christmases.

I'm so sorry such a nice endeavor had the "emotional tailspin" for you. I hope they all turn out well in the end!

[Tybee]

I'm so sorry such a nice endeavor had the "emotional tailspin" for you. I hope they all turn out well in the end!

Thank you, that's so nice of you.

[rosarugosa]

Tybee: I'm sorry the smells of childhood Christmases did not evoke warm and happy memories for you. I hope you are right that involving your younger generations in the process will make it a more pleasant experience.

[hana]

October finish it project done
November finish it project done
December finish it project done
work on 2026 goals done
fall trip done
Sort summer clothing done
Pull up winter blankets done



Pretty much finished up everything for fall. Need to wash and block the socks today so I can wrap them tomorrow. Spending the holiday with the family in a house my sisters rented near a ski resort. They can enjoy going down a mountain at high speed, I'll be in the lodge with a hot chocolate.

Going to do the Winter challenge soon and hope everyone has a happy holiday season.

[rosarugosa]

Final update:
Closet cleanout done
Seasonal stuff: hoses, hammock, container plants, fountain, storm door panels, etc. done
Complete "Five Wishes" document nope
Prepare for Holiday Stroll on 12/6 where we will have a table selling pottery done
Experiment with watercolor paint set kinda, just once
Get radiator covers for parlor and front porch (I think we're going to buy metal ones like the one we scored for the bedroom). done

I guess I could have predicted which things wouldn't get done. I have had great success with the strategy of tying a desired habit to an already ingrained behavior with lifting weights and making the bed every day. I think I should probably try something like that with the watercolors, or schedule a set time every week as "watercolor time."

[rosarugosa]

October finish it project done
November finish it project done
December finish it project done
work on 2026 goals done
fall trip done
Sort summer clothing done
Pull up winter blankets done



Pretty much finished up everything for fall. Need to wash and block the socks today so I can wrap them tomorrow. Spending the holiday with the family in a house my sisters rented near a ski resort. They can enjoy going down a mountain at high speed, I'll be in the lodge with a hot chocolate.

Going to do the Winter challenge soon and hope everyone has a happy holiday season.


You did great, Hana!

[Tybee]

Tybee: I'm sorry the smells of childhood Christmases did not evoke warm and happy memories for you. I hope you are right that involving your younger generations in the process will make it a more pleasant experience.

I think I miscommunicated. It just brought me back to having my mother, and made me miss my mother, the old mother before dementia. More of a grief reaction I guess.

[frugal-one]

So sorry, Tybee!

[rosarugosa]

I think I miscommunicated. It just brought me back to having my mother, and made me miss my mother, the old mother before dementia. More of a grief reaction I guess.

It's kind of like two different people, isn't it? I differentiate between Mom-in-her-right-mind, and the poor confused creature who is currently in our lives. Sometimes it's actually hard for me to remember my "real" Mom, who was funny, smart, and confident, and took care of everyone around her.

[Tybee]

Thank you, Frugal. Rosa, you are so right, it is like two different people, and yet the old person will shine through at times, which makes it even more jarring.