November

In November our community offers the opportunity to participate in a walking challenge.  We are encouraged to track our daily steps and compete with similar communities around the country.  The more steps, the more money that is contributed to the chosen charity.  This year it is going towards a local food bank.

The first of November found me joining the group for an early morning walk around the neighborhood.

For me, it has been a great motivator to get outside and walk more.

We have had such mild weather.  Little rain and mostly blue skies makes for ideal walking weather.  Watching the leaves change colors was an added bonus.

On this day I stopped to take note of what was planted in place of the summer annuals.  It looks like a combination of dianthus, snapdragons and dusty miller. 

Back at home the Thanksgiving cactus is blooming.

The blooms on this one are beginning to fade.

It may be all done by Thanksgiving on Thursday.

For the first time I ordered some waxed amaryllis through an online source.  They are supposed to ship in November.  I hope they show up fairly soon as they would be welcome replacements to the cactus when their bloom time is done.

Thanksgiving is liable to be very low key here this year.

A few weeks ago we had two invitations.

For various reasons that has all changed.

It may be just Brett & I here or we may have a visitor or two.

We have a turkey breast in the freezer, plenty of potatoes, vegetables, cranberries and even a box of stuffing on hand.  One way or another we will celebrate and be thankful.

If you are celebrating, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

🦃

Outdoors in Springtime

Mrs. Wren started to build a nest in my pansies (see previous post) and then changed her mind.  So, no wren nest to report.  I can, however, report a black capped chickadee nest in the birdhouse.

I startled the momma yesterday when I peeked in to see what was happening.

Yes, that's yours truly pushing a lawn mower for the first time in 25 years.  Brett has developed a problem with foot drop which makes navigating the inclines in our backyard with the lawnmower very difficult.  Before making the decision to hire it done, I decided to give it a try.  It was such a beautiful day yesterday and I've been trying to lose some weight and get more fit.  I found it to be a good challenge.  Between the two of us we finished the job.  We'll see how I feel about it when the heat and humidity sets in.  Could be a different story then.   

After the mowing was done, I went around to see what was in bloom.

The clematis has climbed to the top of the trellis and decided to continue growing all through the laurel bushes.  The laurels are due for a trim.  I guess I'll wait until the clematis is through blooming to give them all a haircut.

For now we will enjoy their beautiful blossoms.

Recently we had a fence and stepping stones installed along the side of the house.  You may remember me mentioning that this side has a four foot drop off.  Since the water spigot is located on this side, we do have to walk along here.  We've talked about doing this for years and finally got it done.  I'm so happy with the way it turned out and have greater piece of mind now that nobody will be toppling over the edge.

I like how they made a couple of steps up to the courtyard patio.

Along this same side of the house just past the patio, the azaleas are in all their glory.

While checking out all the things in bloom I came across this.

After watching them for awhile I have no doubt that there will soon be a population increase of ladybugs in our area.  :D.

I will be happy to lay out the welcome mat as they are such beneficial insects for the garden.

Getting Away From It All Without Going Far

Happy Monday, dear readers.

Did you have a good weekend?

Yesterday the sun shone and the mid-50 temperatures felt like early spring.

A hike seemed like a good idea.

Peeking through this split tree you may see a glimpse of what awaited us.

Mountain Island Lake.

Most of our hike followed along the shoreline.

So pretty especially when the sun touched the water.

Canoes could be rented.

Perhaps we'll come back in the summer.

I'm so glad that there are places like this just a short drive from home.

Open to all and free of charge.

A place to get away from it all, breathe in the fresh air and feel the sun on your face.

A place where littering is discouraged in a most creative way.

"Make today better without litter"

Also a place where lovers still carve their initials into tree trunks.

💘💘💘

A Weekend Walk

Oldest son came over to watch college football with us on Saturday.

He brought along shrimp cocktail and a seven layer dip with chips which served as lunch.

Once the football game was over and the food was devoured, it seemed like there was only one thing to do.

Get out there on that beautiful fall day and take a walk.

Hopefully burn off some of those calories while getting some fresh air and exercise.

We decided to explore one of the trails in the neighborhood.

It provided a good workout with several inclines.  

I wanted to soak up every bit of the vibrant fall foliage before it all disappears until next year.

Near the end of our hike we came to this outdoor fireplace.

It was hard to pass up the opportunity to sit a spell.

Brett made himself comfortable in the nearby chairs.

I tried them out too and, in truth, could have sat there for quite awhile enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.

But, since it was exercise we were after, it was time to hop back on the trail toward home.

The little beaver that someone had set on the fireplace mantle added a touch of whimsy.

How was your weekend?

                                                                      

An Evening Walk

Around here the construction crews arrive early and since the majority of the new homes are going up across the street and down the street, that makes for a steady stream of construction trucks and workers.  Neighborhood walks during the day would involve a lot of maneuvering around obstacles and, therefore, don't happen often.

The secret is to wait until just before sunset when most have finished their day's work.  Things are much quieter and the hammering is replaced by the sound of birdsong.  

Tonight after washing the dinner dishes, I put on my walking shoes, grabbed my phone and slipped out the door.

Dogwoods and Redbuds were calling my name.

Here our mail is delivered to a central location within the neighborhood.  It is a nice little walk to get there.  A few rolling hills are involved.  That was my destination on this lovely evening.

In the distance the sun began it's descent.

Before long it would be gone from the horizon and another day would be nearing it's end.  Time to head for home.

In our last house we planted a redbud right outside the master bathroom window.  It grew well and soon filled in the view looking especially lovely at this time of year.  If you've been around long enough you may remember it here.  It was one of the many aspects of the garden that was hard to leave behind.  Before moving into this house we were happy to see that the developers planted a few trees in the commons area on the side of the house.  Imagine our delight when the one situated right outside the master bath turned out the be another redbud.  It's beginning to feel like home more every day.

Outdoors in November

 

Delightful weather and beautiful fall foliage seem to beckon one out for a walk.  The time is right to enjoy the outdoors before the leaves have all fallen.  

Recent days have found me heading down the trail behind our house.

Now that I know there won't be many more walks here, I am seeing things in a new light.

 The fall color show is in full swing around here, although some of the trees are beginning to drop their leaves.

 A bit of red.

 This is the tree right across the street from us.

Each morning the sun illuminates it making this autumn beauty even more stunning.  When I look out the dining room window, it is the sight that greets me first thing.  A wonderful way to start the day.  

Something else that got my attention this week.

One last large clematis blossom greeting me every time I went to the mailbox.  Each day I expected it to be gone, yet there it was.

In a strange way I felt like parting is going to be sweet sorrow for both of us. :)  Maybe you have to be a gardener to appreciate that thought or maybe I'm just a bit strange :D.

This photo from last spring might do a better job of showing just why she will be missed.  I planted her years ago and with very little care since then she put on a spectacular spring show every year.

Through the years many people in the neighborhood have commented on how beautiful she is.  Last year we even had a tall teenage boy stop, take out his earbuds and tell us how it makes him happy when he walks by and sees it in bloom.  Wow!

So, while I will miss her, I'm happy to think that others will continue to enjoy and appreciate her.

Savoring This Snowy Day

Just before bedtime last night the snowflakes began falling.

The morning brought with it a sense of excitement as to exactly how much accumulation those snowflakes would amount to.

A quick peek out the window and it was clear that the landscape had been transformed to a true "winter wonderland."

A warm breakfast of steel cut oats topped with blueberries , walnuts and chia seeds.  Doing my best to get back on track with healthy eating in the new year.  Outside the birds were thankful for a healthy supply of their favorite seed.

After breakfast it was time to head upstairs to work on another goal for the new year.  Up there it was a snowy scene to the lake across the street.  Brrr!

Caught up on last night's episode of 20/20 while putting in time on the treadmill.

My favorite part of the exercise routine...

logging my achievement onto Susan Branch's adorable calendar.

I fell off the exercise wagon to some extent in the latter part of last year.  With the new year I am determined to get back to it.

Coming back downstairs after my exercise session, I was pleased to see the sun putting in an appearance.  The winter wonderland was now sparkling like glitter.

Today was the day my Christmas ham bone was transformed into a delicious pot of white bean soup.  While working on that and starting a loaf of crusty bread, it was necessary to drop everything and chase this beautiful cardinal with my camera.  This seems to be a game I play every time we have a snowfall.  Red cardinals in the snow are a lovely sight to behold.

With the soup bubbling and the bread baking it was time to write my thank you notes.  That job seemed like it would go smoother with a mug of hot cocoa.  A snow day called for a snowman mug so I fetched one that I had just put away with the Christmas décor.

He looks happy to be out of the cupboard.

Soon the timer will ring calling me to take the bread from the oven.

The sun is beginning to set and soon the darkness will descend upon my beautiful winter wonderland.

A good time to light the candles and then the fireplace.

Perhaps also a good night for soup in front of the fire.

Sounds like a nice way to stay warm on this wintery evening.

Happy New Year!