Sunshine in October

So ... those of you who live in NW Pennsylvania with us know that my "sunshine in October" is not literal!  Summer lasted through the first weekend of October giving us irregular temps in the 80's.  Then the weather plummeted!  The rest of October was cool in the 40's average and wet!!

We started our wood burner up early due to this weather only to be smoked out... more than once ...it took us two weeks of being cold (inside), frustration of not being able to figure out why smoke was coming IN the house instead of going OUT the chimney, checking everything from wood burner door to cap of chimney, waiting for fair weather to have a tree near the chimney trimmed back ... and now we are warm!  Trimming the tree back away from the house did the trick.  Thank you Jesus!

We postponed our fall family camping weekend to Cook Forest because of forecasted rain and us having colds.  Then we had to cancel it because my van spent the next weekend at the mechanic instead of camping.  But we still made it a fun family weekend and are now looking for a new car as the van, which is older than Grace, needs retired.

And needless to say ...our fall outside list is not done.  Someday it will be. {smile}

But here is the "Sunshine in October"!

The canceled camping trip weekend was still a fun family weekend ...

Friday night, we made homemade stromboli and played games.

Saturday, we bundled up and ventured to Beartown Rocks for an invigorating 6 mile hike to an awe-inspiring area of huge rocks (results of the glacier in this area of PA) and a breath taking overlook including a picnic lunch and yummy homemade pumpkin whoopie pies.

When we got home, there was a pot of taco soup waiting for us (Grace put it on before we left in the morning) that we welcomed after the chilly day.

And Sunday after church, we built a fire in the fireplace enjoying a relaxing afternoon of reading, playing games, s'mores and hot chocolate.

Canceled camping trip forgotten.

Our new hunter (and daddy) braved the weather a few times to go hunting.  Nathan has brought home two rabbits which are now in our freezer.  He's hoping to have better results during regular deer season than he did during junior/senior hunt.

Our family had a couple opportunities to be a blessing in our community.  As a family, we volunteered for an evening at our library's used book sale.  Then Nathan and Grace volunteered with their AHG and TL troops to host a Fall Festival for local families.

We had a lovely evening with our friend John coming over for dinner and a game plus great fellowship.

These rainy days have given us extra time to be working on prayer squares and prayer shawls for our church's ministry plus hats for homeless.  While working, we enjoy listening to audio books and loved the Keepers of the School by Andrew Clement.

Rainy days help us appreciate the sunny ones even more!