Monday, September 24, 2012

Hello, Autumn!

Fall Morning
Happy Autumn, Everyone!!!
Yes, since the last post was a photo of the the sun setting on the final day of summer...this is a photo of the first morning of Autumn. The light during sunrise & sunset has been stunning for the past week or so...sometimes warm & golden, other times suffused with pink (as it was the morning of this shot). Aside from the wonderful light we get during Autumn (my favorite season!), there are so many reasons I love this time of year.

1. It's cooler!
Yes, this is the best part! I find that now I spend so much more time outside, sitting in the back, or on the front steps...or just wandering around in the morning with my camera and the cats. It's especially invigorating in the morning & evening, when there is just a slight chill in the air.

2. Comfy clothes!
I get to wear hoodies and flannel again! Ok, I admit, it's not quite cool enough yet for those things...but SOON!

3. Open windows!
I LOVE having our windows open as much as possible, so it's kinda sad during summer when I have to close up the house. I have MONTHS now to enjoy having the windows open...yeah!

4. Sleep!
I really like it to be cool while I sleep...and now that I get to have the windows open, I get to sleep better...BOOM!

Schizachryium
5. The garden looks great!
Truly, this point is subjective. It might look a little tattered in spots...but I love it. The borders are vibrant, lush and full to bursting. The grasses are starting to really peak. Much like spring, each morning is exciting, as I can't wait to see how things are changing. The changes that a garden goes through during the year are fascinating to me...and this season of senescence is full of bittersweet drama.

6. I get to work outside!
Aside from watering, I don't do much in the garden during summer...and since I'm not keen on sweating, don't spend much time outside except for early morning & evening. Now that the weather is cool, the sun has lost its harshness and I can work outside as much as I like.

7. Planting is easier!
Spring is undeniably the time of year that I itch most to get out and planting...but I have to admit, where the plants are concerned, Fall is better for planting. Our mild winters and abundant rain make for relatively stress-free conditions for the plants. They focus on putting down roots, not making leaves & flowering...so come spring, they are healthy and well-established. I always do some editing in fall, and find that I don't have to worry much at all about the plants surviving...whereas plants that are planted/moved/divided in spring have to be coddled more to ensure they are able to make it once summers heat & drought set in.

8. Using the oven!
Not wanting to heat up the house during summer, we don't use our oven at all (and the stove, only sparingly), thank goodness for our grill. Also, I've been craving things like soup & pot roast for the last few weeks...but who wants soup when it's 90°...no one, that's who! Guess what...it's Soup Season!

9. Harvest Season
Autumn is harvest time...and who doesn't love fresh apples, pears & pumpkins (and all the delectable goodies you can make FROM them)! Visions of pumpkin pie with a warm cup of spiced cider dance before my eyes ;-)

Rainy Pennisetum macro h
10. Rain!
Of course, after months, I am so relieved to see the rain again! We had a very brief sprinkling last week, just enough to lightly mist over the garden...but oh, that wonderful smell...and so refreshing.

Happy Autumn, everyone, I hope you are able to enjoy the splendour of the season!

41 comments:

  1. Sounds like you really want to live in a climate with a winter (to me).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well....not TOO real ;-) I do think it'd be nice to have a good month of cold & snow...just for the contrast. I don't think you can really appreciate summer without the preceding winter ;-)

      Delete
  2. I love the windows open to sleep. Hear lots of animals in the night....owls, coyote, whip-poor-wills, and tons of frogs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so lucky, Janet...I mostly hear cat's fighting and our neighbor's reggae music :-(

      Delete
  3. Yea, another autumn lover. Pumpkin spice lattes, the smell and crunch of dry leaves underfoot, and those luscious warm colors. I can almost smell Thanksgiving dinner cooking. I got out a sweatshirt today...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha...autumn lovers unite! I forgot about Pumpkin Spice Latte's! I had my first one of the season last weekend...and I SAVORED it!

      Delete
  4. I have to leave a window open to sleep too, until it gets below freezing. We run a fan too, cause I need the air movement too. We have no AC, so even on those few days when it is up in the 90s, the windows stay open. We had a quick overnight sprinkle last week too. I want more! My garden doesn't look great, but I think it will perk up if we just get some rain. I have sooooo much planting to do, and I need the rain and the cool weather to get it accomplished.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so funny, Alison, I leave a fan on in the bedroom for the same reason...all year long! I feel suffocated without the air movement! I actually (stupidly) did some planting and moving around this weekend...and realized very early on that I should have waited for rain to soften the ground up.

      Delete
  5. I love fall planting, but I did most of mine this summer and have run out of steam. The cooler days and nights have been great. I've basking in all the glorious fall color.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it fabulous! I'm starting to see a few trees changing color already...yes!

      Delete
  6. Excellent post! I agree with all your points. And my wife made Sunday pot roast yesterday and it was delicious! Plus, my birthday is in about two weeks and we can go to the farmers market to buy apples for my traditional birthday apple pie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds perfect! I can't believe someone already beat me to the pot roast...drat! Fresh apple pie...is there anything better?

      Delete
  7. The chilly mornings this week have definitely brought on a desire for all the things you mentioned. I am so looking to forward to soups and comfy clothes. And working in the garden is heaven! Fall planting here I come!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it fabulous to work outside and not feel instantly sweaty and gross? I find I just have so much more energy now :-)

      Delete
  8. My favorite time is Spring, but of course Fall is next. It always seems so peaceful and I love to work in the yard during this season also.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are definitely two sides of the same coin, aren't they, Cher...spring is more lively...fall, more bittersweet :-)

      Delete
  9. Pretty sparkling pennisetum heads. We're lighting our fires already, it's turned cold here. And wet, very very wet. But the light is rather splendid, when it breaks through.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are pretty much counting down until the rains return in earnest...and while I'm usually ready for them to end by about mid-February, I long for them right about now :-) Those intermittent sunny days/moments are so sweet, for sure!

      Delete
  10. I agree with most of these points, but we don't get to keep the windows open as long as you do. (Plus we use the oven during the summer -- yummy baked goods!)

    Love the little bluestem -- it's the best grass for fall color!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't blame you, Alan, I remember how bone-chillingly cold winters are back east! Little Bluestem might just be the most gorgeous foliage plant that has ever evolved...so amazing!

      Delete
  11. I am really liking the look of fall a lot better as I have put in some more grasses. They really do add to the landscape.

    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG...it's so true, Eileen...the more grasses I plant, the more I look forward to fall in the garden!

      Delete
  12. Hi Scott,

    Glad to see you're loving autumn and the cooler weather it brings... I'm looking forward to seeing photos of your grasses and other autumn performers :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed...I really need to do some Grass-centric posts soon!

      Delete
  13. You make a splendid case for loving autumn...not that I need convincing, but a few of your readers might.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahahaha...there are a few out there who aren't as fond of autumn...I know :-) Luckily, I love it enough for everyone!

      Delete
  14. Autumn is my favourite season as well. Here the morning mist rises from our pond as the sun rises behind our barn. Fortunately our windows look out on this scene at breakfast time.

    Morning dew has been heavy here...preventing me from garden work for the last little while. I have picked what I think are the last of the tomatoes this evening. I may mow a few more times, but mostly to grind up fallen leaves.

    But Oh! The grasses are wonderful now!~ Some things have not yet changed colour oddly enough. The Ginkgo is still green as is the Tamarack. More to look forward to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG, Marie...that sounds amazing...wish I had a view like that! This is the time of year that the grasses really earn their keep...they are just amazing!

      Delete
  15. Look how your plants have grown this summer Scott. They are spilling out into the sidewalk. I love it! Cooler temps and rain is nice for a change after such a hot, hot summer. Lovely shot of the grasses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lona...yes...I'm really looking forward to the rain...it's just so dry around here...and the ground is hard as rock!

      Delete
  16. Great images, they really capture the feel of autumn. The way the plants overhang the pathway is divine. Looking forward to seeing how the garden continues to mature next year

    gaz Alternative Eden

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks fellas! Me too...it's certainly continuing to evolve as the years go by!

      Delete
  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think I'm the same way. What's funny is summer must go as long there as here, but it starts much later up there, while we might get more sharp cool? Used to be a solid 8 weeks of winter or hard freezes many nights - I like your list of things to do as much as the photos. Especially the part of long sleeve tees, sleeping with windows open.

    Actually having to turn the ceiling fan to low, finally!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is interesting...I'm always amazed at just how different our seasons are...the changes here are usually pretty slow and subtle...not the quick change a lot of other parts of the country get. Glad you're enjoying the cooler temps too :-)

      Delete
  19. We have CLOSED the windows and turned on the central heating here in the UK! I had a decent gardening day today but the rain is set to return so it is speed pruning and planting between showers here! Glad someone is enjoying Autumn though :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no...so soon! We're actually long over-due for rain, at this point, our ground is like concrete!

      Delete
  20. I feel the same about Autumn. My spirit is revived when the weather cools and I can get outside and plant. Your garden looks stunning in the light. gail

    ReplyDelete
  21. You've summed up why fall is the best season. I've always loved autumn, and it seems to be a great time of year everywhere, making it a good time to travel too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. oh i hear you loud and clear. i seriously love Spring and Autumn for those reasons, we are going into Spring down here in Oz so some of the stuff isn't 100% relevant but knowing autumn and winter here i agree WHOLE-HEARTEDLY!

    it's so nice having someone else that understands the bit about having the windows open and sleeping better, from the first day of spring to the last my windows only get closed when we go out somewhere... and even then i often forget :) and it is so nice to lie in bed at nice and listen to the crickets, frogs, owls and every other bug, bird or animal. and there is always a lovely breeze too.

    and the working outside too is way too good to miss. i normally spend winter in the shade house and garden, spring and autumn mainly in the garden and summer in the shade house.... summer in the shade house is mostly to do with the misting system :)

    well, i look forward to seeing all the upcoming autumn blogs which will make me look forward to ours in 6 months, and of course i can get all the fruit trees and pumpkins ready :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
    you make blogging look easy. The overall look of
    your site is magnificent, as well as the
    content!

    My blog post "stock certificate"

    ReplyDelete