Festival of Fall Beauty

Come along, enjoy these photos of autumn beauty.

 A Canadian goose on the shimmering waters of the lake

 Colorful trees in our backyard

 Pansy and alyssum (Proven Winners Lobularia 'Snow Princess')

 

 

 The red twig dogwood's stems are turning red again. They are red in the fall and winter; otherwise, gray. I think this is a stunning shrub.

 Another stunning shrub - this is one of my blueberry bushes. Productive in the summer, lovely in autumn - you can't go wrong!

 The knock-outs are still blooming.

 In preparation for winter, I pruned back the David Austin rose.

 The hosta farm is showing some deterioration after 3 freezes this fall.

Remaining leaves on my maple. This was purchased as an 'Autumn Blaze,' but the color doesn't look right to me. I wonder if it was mislabled. I still think it's color is lovely, though.

 

 

 The Black Swallowtail caterpillars were in my garden last October. I didn't see any this year at all.

 American hazelnut and callicarpa (Purple beautyberry)   I was hoping for nuts to eat, but so far there are few, and they are very small. Plus, I cannot find my nutcracker!  lol

 

 

 Last year's combination of cultivars looked great together. I'm thinking I'll go with the 'Heavenly Blue' again next year.

Lakeshore still life

 

 

 

Enjoy Fall, y'all!

 

Linking to Home and Garden Thursday, Open House, and Fertilizer Friday

 

Tea with goodies!

I enjoy tea with breakfast, and an additional cup or two while I read the morning paper.

If I have tea in the afternoon, I like having a nosh to accompany it.

 I'm using 'Dogwood' by Heinrich H and C. I found this lovely vintage china at a local thrift store.

 Love this floral pattern.

 The snack: Fig and chocolate cake, purchased from a specialty grocer. I had never had figs before (other than Fig Newtons), so I jumped at the opportunity to try this. It was pretty good, too.

 Today's tea is huckleberry with a splash of milk.

 I also made lemon thyme shortbread cookies. Did they ever smell good while they were baking! They taste good, too. You can find the recipe here.

"Tea is instant wisdom - just add water!" ~Astrid Alauda



This post is in honor of Landon, Connie, Lori, and Kelsey, who are fighting cancer.

I'm glad you joined me for tea today; I'm also joining Tea Time Tuesday, A Return to Loveliness, Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Friends Sharing Tea

Vee's Notecard Party

 Dog Carnival: Cute little Boston terriers are ready for Halloween

 Monarch caterpillar on butterfly weed

 One of my favorite hemerocallis, 'Custard Candy'

A female elk crosses a stream, Estes Park, Colorado

It's my pleasure to link to the really fun Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee. Be sure to head over and view others' favorite, notecard-worthy photos!

Thanks, Vee, for sponsoring this party!

The color of Autumn

The color of Autumn:  is it RED?

My dogwood is showing glorious color.

Cherry brandy Rudbeckia

Is it PURPLE?

 Callicarpa

 

 

Is it YELLOW?

Is it BROWN?

Is it PINK?

 DA Rose 'Bishop's Castle'

Is it BLUE?

 Forget-me-nots

 

 

As you can see, Autumn in the midwest is colorful. However, I'm really missing this (taken just a month ago).

 Pretty now: ornamental grasses (I don't know the variety of this one)

I've been busy raking up pine needles at the neighbor's to mulch my garden. Love the color and smell of the fresh pine straw!

Dog lovers, if you missed my post about Trisha the pittie, click here to read about her and see some adorable pictures.

Linking up to the following great parties: Open House, Home and Garden Thursday, and Fertilizer Friday