We have been in full swing with our fall harvest lately. Last weekend we picked some pumpkins and pulled the onions out of the ground.
This weekend we focused on the black beans. First, we pull the bean plants and let them dry in the sun on a tarp. Then, we put a bundle of plants in a smaller tarp and whack them with a stick to pop the beans out of the shell. 
The last step is to separate the small plant bits from the beans. On a slightly windy day we can pour the beans from bucket to bucket and let the wind blow the light dried plant bits or chaff away.
We have also been eating lots of fresh pears from our trees and last night froze several peach pie fillings. Our raspberries will continue bearing fruit until the first hard frost. We pick the berries every other day.
I know we will appreciate our preservation efforts come January. That is what I keep telling myself.
Next on the food preservation plan - grape juice. B says the grapes are ready.
I know I will enjoy my quilt retreat next week!
