Last of summer

It's layering weather.  Cool mornings and then it warms up.  Tuesday evening we went to church and the beautiful, yet old Kursk icon was there.  You can read more about its history HERE.

Lake Otsego!  Three generations. Our oldest daughter, Hannah, took the photos, above.  Well, I took that last one, using her phone.  We went to the Fenimore art museum and really enjoy the Native exhibit.

It was Paul's 7th birthday and he got many great gifts, from Aunt Lucy and his other sister, Olivia.  It made it feel extra special with Hannah, Grammie, Aunt Mary, cousin Nicholas, who turned 8 a few days later, and Mary Lynn visiting.  See the NEW watch he's wearing?  

We went out for ice cream and baked an apple pie instead of a birthday cake.

Grapes grow well here and there are quite a few wineries in upstate New York, especially around the Finger Lakes.  My cousin Mary Lynn picked 54 pounds of concord grapes in Naples!  We made grape juice and grape pie filling.  Canning is something I really haven't done.  I need to overcome my fear and just jump in!  When someone else leads, I will help and follow.  Honestly, my husband and daughter, Hannah, did most of the work with Mary Lynn...even the clean up.  Hannah washed so many dishes while here. She's back in Oregon now.

We hiked on Moss Island beside the Erie Canal. It's a great time for hiking as the tree leaves are just starting to turn from green to brown, reds and yellows!