In the Sunflower Fields

Last year it was October before we saw the fields full of sunflowers.  This year I knew by late August we should start planning a trip out here to pick sunflowers.  Really I don't mind getting this in a little earlier, while the days are still warm, but I do love those autumn evenings in the flower fields.  Who knows, maybe they will hang around until October again this year.

I don't know what it's like where you are, but around here all the farmers and the old-timers are saying it's going be an early winter.  I am not ready to think about winter yet, but I do tend to trust the people who have more experience than me, and if they say it's time to start preparing, then I guess it's time.

Ok, I know I complain about winter (A LOT!) but I do love preparing for winter.  I don't love cutting firewood and hauling it to the house, but I do love the family time and the talks we have while stacking wood, and I love being all warm and cozy beside the fire while the wind is howling outside.  

I like being able to throw all the ingredients into the crock pot in the morning and come home out of the chill to a hearty stew and maybe a fresh loaf of homemade bread when a snow storm is coming.  Doesn't that sound better than rushing to the grocery store to face empty shelves and the wait in line while the roads get worse and worse?  It does to me.

As far as preparations go, I've been stocking up on all my easy prep foods, trying to preserve a few things from the garden, we've just planted our autumn garden with things like turnips and peas, and about a month ago we picked gallons of wild elderberries to make our own syrup. 

If you're not familiar with elderberry syrup, it's natural immune booster, and we add a little honey and cloves to ours for flavor.  You can find it at the super market and it can carry a steep price tag.  That's why we decided to make our own this year.  Of course we paid the price in our own way be getting covered in poison ivy and scratching for weeks.  All the poison ivy out here is one of the main reasons I'm thankful for Photoshop!

So, with the pantry shelves filling up, and the poison ivy finally healing, I don't have to worry too much about whatever the weather brings.  I can just sit back and enjoy these sunny days in the flower fields while they last.

I chose this outfit very specifically for today.  I've been drooling over this dress and basket bag from Collectif for months now, just waiting for their sale, and I've been wanting to try one of those ridiculously big sunhats for just as long or longer.  I love end-of-summer sales as much and maybe more than Photoshop after wild berry picking in poison ivy country!  And what better way to celebrate the end of summer than with a few end-of-summer sale picks.

One last thing before I end this post.  You should know, here and now that there will be loads more sunflower fields pics on the way.  I don't think that's a bad thing though; their sunniness keeps me going through the long winter months--a little emotional immune booster, if you will, and that's something that's totally worth the effort. (Whoa!  Did I actually just manage to tie everything together here at the end--even the elderberry thing?!  Good. For. Me.)

Shopping Info: COLLECTIF LOVES TOP VINTAGE POPPY VINTAGE GINGHAM SWING DRESS, LULU HUN DINA STRAWBERRY BASKET BAG, Natuloth Fresh Water Pearl Earrings