About the time mid-August rolls around, my garden is tired. And I’m tired…of weeding, of pinching back, of pruning…all of it. Fallen maple leaves make their new home amongst the plants ~ their presence heralds the arrival of Autumn.
The hydrangea changes from white to soft green.
I know this is part of the cycle. Nevertheless, it always makes me a little melancholy.
Some plants, like my sedum, don a new color.
I used to say that Autumn was my favorite season and it still might be. But since we have lived in the Cottage, I have been blessed with a garden and I love it so. I hate to see it fade away for another 9 months or so. By the way, we moved into MHC 4 years ago on August 30th. What a wonderful day that was!
I managed, in true Claudia-the-procrastinator fashion, to avoid doing the two things I needed to do yesterday. My husband shot some photos of me for my work-related web site and we were so pleased with the results that we merrily drove off for lunch and a visit to the bookstore. Next thing I knew, it was time for dinner. So I must tackle both tasks today, along with cleaning the oven. Last night husband was making a delicious pizza when the kitchen filled with smoke, setting off the alarm and prompting a call from our alarm company. Many windows were opened, fans turned on, and the alarm company was reassured that all was well. But something was smoking in that oven. Some cleaning must be done.
I just realized that this is my 301st post! How did that happen? Have a wonderful day!
Sounds like my neglected oven! It is the height of laziness when I can’t clean a self-cleaning oven…..such a pity. My yard is not on my list of priorities this time of year…such a pity. Your afternoon with hubby sounds delightful!
I used to feel sad when my garden began to fade, but then I started collecting and drying the hydrangea blossoms and different leaves so I could enjoy them indoors over the winter months. Outdoors, when the frost and snow take over, I think it creates beautiful garden sculptures.
Have a great day!
Zuzu
Congrats on 301! I feel the same about fall. But I’m comming around as the weather is being sooooo nice here. I will miss the flowers.But I am a pumpkin girl so I will so enjoy them! Happy anniversary in your home!
Hugs, Lisa
My garden is fading also and yes I’m ready for fall! Now through the holidays is my favorite time of year – except starting in spring when my gardens start to bloom! That leave Jan, Feb, Mar..I guess I’ll have to find something to spark up those months. Esther
boy, do i know how you feel, aghhhhh
We have loved every single post you have made. I am about to make my plane reservations, I can’t wait!!!!
My poor Rays, boo the Sox!
Wow…301 that is something to celebrate…congratulations and may I say your garden is so so lovely!
Oooo . . . don’t remind me, I have to clean our oven too! LOL!! I just cleaned out the refrigerator the other day . . . since I was getting groceries I thought I’d better get it done.
My garden too is languishing . . . I’ve been cutting back and cleaning out. About this time of year I can’t wait for the snow to fall so that I can just sit back with my cocoa and relax. That lasts until about January and then I’m ready for the snow to be gone so I can garden once more!
Good luck with those taxes, Claudia. My sister just finished hers!
Blessings,
Teresa
Thanks for the tour of you changing garden. Seems like you are really enjoying the open space and being out in your wonderful garden. Gardening is good for the spirit. Have a festive day.
Congrats on 301 posts. Wow.
Dogwood
I always feel a bit melancholy about mid August. Not so much for the end of summer, though. I’m not a big fan of late summer, and I look forward to the fall season, as it is my favorite. I think, for me, the melancholy comes because autumn feels like the start of a new year for me, and the years seem to be going by so much faster than they used to.
I love the sedum Autumn Joy. It’s a wonderful plant for this time of year.
Lena
Claudia, I am glad to hear someone else feels the same way I do. Although I don’t like the heat I do love summer and, like you, feel a bit melancholy when it starts to wane. I almost cry when we close up the pool and I have just loved the deck flowers this summer. Two hanging baskets in front of the kitchen window are so lush and pretty and it’s the first thing I see when I walk in the kitchen in the morning. I will miss them so much! Okay…there I go again…getting all broody.
I would enjoy the arrival of fall so much more if it then heralded the arrival of spring rather than winter… It’s knowing that winter is just around the corner that ruins the autumn for me. Otherwise I think it would truly be my favorite season… or maybe spring… ha ha!… Donna