sigh. Indian Summer is slipping away. The dock is in. Leaves are blown off the 2 balconies. Trees and bushes are trimmed. Third story windows are washed. Eaves are cleaned. Vegetable garden is composted and tomatoes are ripening on the kitchen window sill. My closets are flopped. All the knitted mitts and scarves are out.

I can never quite love Fall the way I love Spring just because I know what is coming next.

And now it is time for Winter food too. Soups always make me happy. And foods that cook slowly making the house smell good and feel cozy. Sunday John made his meatloaf and it was good as usual. Here it is.

John's Crockpot Meatloaf Mix in bowl: 2 lbs. ground beef 1 c milk 1 egg 1 c Minute Rice 1/2 c chopped onion 1/2 c chopped green pepper 1/2 c chopped mushrooms 1 packet onion soup mix 1 packet mushroom gravy mix salt, pepper, garlic and dill

Put mixture in crockpot. Slice potatoes and carrots over meat mixture. Cook on high all day.

It was nice to take a Sunday afternoon nap and wake up to dinner all done.