A grape party

Grape pie making at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, North East, PA.

On Tuesday, the flour and shortening are cut together while boxes are folded and labelled.The "dough" then rests in the fridge.

Boxes are folded and stickers affixed.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday the crew makes pies. One makes the dough. Several roll. I filled. Another adds cinnamon and margarine. One wets the rim for a roller to cover. Another crimps. One cuts a pattern in the upper crust - sugar and sugar-free get different patterns. Finally a baker takes care of the baking.

Yes, guys roll too.

We do take a break for lunch.

Deadly serious we are not.

The tent is assembled.

And the 2012 grape pie sale is under way.

The "uniform" with one finished product.

Looks and feels like fall

This was the Hartstown Swamp after church this morning as seen from 322 by my iPhone. The sun was on the trees in the background. North of that you can see the rain.

My front yard a few minutes later as seen by my camera. There were dark storm clouds everywhere punctuated by blue sky and white puffy clouds. This patch disappeared quickly to be replaced by the dark clouds behind these trees.

Later there was a storm in the distance on the way to Meadville but clear to the south.

And almost sunset over Pymatuning with still more rain to the north.

Fall is my favorite season. I'm happy to be back in turtlenecks, to turn the air off, to not have to coat my skin with bug repellent. I love the changing colors and the brightness that the trees bring to drab days. I'm not fond of ordering fuel oil but no season is perfect. Always something to look forward to.