1. October has shown herself quite changeable, but pleasantly so. A day or two of cloud and rain is followed by several days of clear skies where night time temperatures dip to several degrees above freezing and the sun warms the afternoons with golden light. Who can complain about that?
In my garden, the dahlias, zinnias, roses, and marigolds continue to bloom prolifically. The fig tree leaves are paling, and drop yellow to the ground to soon curl and shrink into crispy brown clumps.
Every few days I pick a couple of handfuls of fresh raspberries, so good with our morning yogurt. Kale and Swiss Chard are flourishing.
2. We celebrated Thanksgiving with a family dinner on Sunday afternoon. Here the three littles are getting ready to eat their pie. When I appeared with the camera, they said, "Happy Thanksgiving" instead of "cheese." For some indecipherable reason, one said it with his eyes closed.
3. Monday was drizzly and grey. We pulled on our rain gear and drove out to East Sooke Park for a hike along the coast trail. Sea blended mutely into sky. There were a number of fishing boats out on the water, and a few other hikers on the trail, but the peace was palpable.
4. We sat at Beechey Head to eat our lunch of cheese, crackers, vegetables, apples, and chocolate. It feels so luxurious to pour a steaming mug of hot tea in that setting, and it tastes so good.
While we munched and sipped on our perch high above the water, gulls glided silently below us. A trio of sleek sea lions swam purposefully across our field of vision, intent on some goal. Later, a pair of snub-nosed seals followed them. In the distance a tug pulled along an enormous barge. A whale blew and breached in the distance and then disappeared with a flick of her tail. Waves rushed noisily upon the rocks below, flinging up white spray before dying back into calm.
5. This miniature scene grew in a damaged arbutus tree - three tiny fungi, a bit of moss, and some curls of red bark. Do you think that perhaps the fairies had a party here?
Like Anne of Green Gables, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
How is your October shaping up?
Linking with Friday Bliss, hosted by Riitta of Floral Passions.
Our October is still warm and not quite so beautiful. Love the shot of that teeny little garden in the tree trunk. Nature truly is amazing!
ReplyDeleteDelightful.
ReplyDeleteYour picnic by the sea sounds quite magical, especially with the addition of the tiny fairy garden. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeletePerhaps your grandson has had a rough experience with a flash. 💥 The grands have grown so much since last I saw them.
ReplyDeleteHave just been pondering your striking off on a hike undeterrred by the rain. I find that quite puzzling on the one hand and really cool (no pun intended) on the other. To embrace a rainy day by being out in it is not something I would ever choose, yet look at all the beauty...and even a picnic by both the fairies and yourselves.
Oh Kids - with their faces :)) Definitely fairies have parties in that adorable miniature scene. Your coffee moment was worth a million dollars! Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteWe woke up to our first morning with no humidity and much cooler temperatures. To that I say Hooray! Fall has truly arrived. The photo of your grands made me smile. Precious! Amazing to me that you see whales on your hikes. That is so cool and that miniature fairy garden is delightful. Your photo is excellent.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. October here in Vermont is more spectacular every day, rain and sun
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed my visit, Lorrie! I was perched in that beautiful spot drinking hot tea with you.
ReplyDeleteThe three to four inches of snow we woke up to a few days ago is finally starting to melt, which means that from underneath snow patches Autumn peeks out once again. We're glad of it. Autumn being a favourite, favourite season I'd really hate for us to miss it.
Wishing you a beautiful weekend...
Brenda xox
I do believe fairies live there! Our fall has just arrived this morning with cooler temperatures. We still do not have color, but hopefully soon.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are lasting well. Almost every day has been bright and cool. We are lucky to liver here.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, your photograph colors just pop with beauty! I am so pleased that we have a 2nd round of blackberries here. I guess that is a bonus for having an extra warm autumn.
ReplyDeleteDelightful post! I love the grands' photo as they say "Happy Thanksgiving!" Their personalities are shining, as is the joy of the day and the celebration. The little closed eyes makes my heart melt.
ReplyDeleteOh, and your rainy hike and the picnic and the fairy scene! Like Vee, I would never think to take off on a hike in the rain, but I'm so glad you did and shared the magic with us.
I'm with Anne of Green Gables too! Your zinias and dahlias are so pretty still at this time!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful and truly beautiful place to walk and indeed sit for a picnic. Loved the little fairy dell, it certainly makes you smile. Your Grand children are a delight how lovely to have family together to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to still be picking raspberries. Looks like you had a lovely family thanksgiving. Special times. And a sighting of a whale. Wonderful. Have a relaxing weekend. B x
ReplyDeleteI love that Anne quote!
ReplyDeleteI too, would never think to go out on a hike in the rain, but you saw such beauty. I'm now going to make some lunch of sliced summer sausage, cheese, crackers, and grapes. Thanks for the inspiration!
I just love the pic of the thermos! That is one well loved bottle. And I love the natural fairy garden. Just perfect. October has been lovely here in Montana. :) Kit
ReplyDeleteOh I SO agree with Anne....I love this quote! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteLovely fall images, Lorrie. Our October has been changeable too. I actually had to run the A/C for a few days last week because I couldn't stand the humidity which made it feel like mid 30s degrees Celsius. The temperature dropped later that week and I had to wear my winter coat!
ReplyDeleteYour description of the weather is very apt, except we have had no rain to speak of, just a couple of nights with a half-inch of snow that quickly melts when struck by the sun. So, October is proving to be a glorious month. I can ALMOST taste those raspberries, and the last shot with the zinnia is a million-dollar capture!!! Hope the weather continues to give you plenty of opportunities to get out and about!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photographs.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see the grandchildren, and I'm sure the fairies love that miniature scene … it looks so lovely.
All the best Jan
Please don't tell him but I could just kiss that cute little scrunched up face!
ReplyDeleteDo the residents of your town have to pay a special tax? A tax for getting to enjoy all that beauty around them? It would be worth it.