Friday Favourites: A Shift of Seasons

 

"I know fall is here, although the world is still green with summer. And I feel an urgency to gather in all the loveliness of the

past blazing days and star-cool nights and keep

them forever."

Gladys Taber

September is a gentle shift into Autumn, particularly this year as the sun shines most days, and the temperature drops gradually. One morning I put on socks to pad around the house for the first time since June. How cozy they felt. 

On the coast where we live there is some colour, but not the dramatic flaming hills that we enjoyed on our trip across Canada two years ago. Most leaves continue green, but a few trees blaze, calling attention to themselves. 

"The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everyone that 

summertime cannot last forever."

E. B. White, Charlotte's Web

Cyclamen blooms in the woods despite the continuing lack of rain. That may change this weekend as a shift in the weather is on the horizon. 

The deep harsh rasp of a crow perched in the neighbour's tree is another sign of autumn. There he sits, loudly proclaiming his presence to all and sundry. 

Yesterday, while working in the garden, I heard a loud buzzing noise just above my head. I looked up to see a hummingbird dazzling with colour - emerald and pink - hovering above me. He flitted here and there for some time while I stood and watched. 

I cut most of the Red Kuri squash and pumpkins from their vines. A few remain on the ground as I hope they will ripen just a wee bit more. Pumpkins stay in the fields here through October, so I'm not too worried about them. My tomatoes were abysmal this year, not yielding as much as usual, but the winter squash have been amazing. We'll enjoy them roasted and in soups for the next few months. The green beans continue for a bit, but will soon wither and brown. Greens such as Swiss Chard, Kale, Beetroot Leaves and more will carry on.

I clipped one sunflower this afternoon. It was falling over and I thought it would look prettier in the house, in the turquoise blue recycled glass vase. I don't mind that the sunflowers have been slow to grow this year for now I can enjoy them as the remainder of the garden slows. 

I collect bits and pieces from the garden - a few cosmos, one small dahlia, and the very last of the sweet peas for a pixie-sized bouquet. How fragrant it smells. A few remaining coloured hydrangeas were cut to grace the mantel. Most of the blooms are dry and pale now. These will dry in the vase as the water evaporates and I'll have them for the winter ahead. 

It has occurred to me more than ever this year how hard our foremothers worked to prepare for autumn and the coming winter. Harvesting and preserving the garden produce takes time. They would have worked from morning to night to ensure their families had food throughout the cold months. I've frozen vegetables, preserved peaches, made a few pickles and plenty of jam, but we would be in a very sorry state if we had to rely on what we've produced. 

Wishing you a most lovely Autumn weekend.