Saturday, October 10, 2020

Garden Goodbyes and Frost Warnings



" The human soul is slow to discover the real excellence
of things given to us by a bountiful Creator, and not until the
shadows of death begin to gather around the object that we love,
do we see its worth and beauty. Autumn is the dim shadow that clusters
about the sweet, precious things that God has created in the realm
of nature. While it robs them of life, it tears away the veil and reveals
the golden gem of beauty and sweetness. Beauty lurks in all the dim
old aisles of nature, and we discover it at last. "
NORTHERN ADVOCATE



With tenterhooks we watch as October relentlessly heads towards shorter and colder days. You see, we haven't had any frost to speak of and we are always grateful for one more frost-free day in the autumn. But the day of reckoning eventually comes—the weatherman forewarns that night temperatures will go below freezing next week. 

My guy and I plan to spend the day getting the storage area in the garage ready to haul in the pots, bring in the Peace Rose, and tidy up a few things. I tried putting one pot away yesterday (photo directly below), but its flowers were still blooming. I ask you, how is a person to look at them in the eye and unceremoniously dump into the compost before their time is done? So we wait another day.

With a last look 'round the garden before it succumbs to Jack Frost's dubious ministrations, I offer my farewell and thanks—it's been so beautiful this summer.🧡





Hydrangea photo taken yesterday


Same hydrangea today - must have been a bit cool in the night




Polish Spirit Clematis on trellis



" In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful
as those of a fine October, when the trees are bare to the mild
heavens, and the red leaves bestrew the road, and you can
feel the breath of winter morning and evening—no days so calm,
so tenderly solemn, and with such a reverent meekness in the air.
ALEXANDER SMITH, "An Essay on an Old Subject"
 
























" The time of the falling leaves has come again. Once more in our morning
walk we tread upon carpets of gold and crimson, of brown and bronze, woven
by the winds or the rains out of these delicate textures while we slept.

How beautifully the leaves grow old! How full of light and color are their last days!
There are exceptions, of course. The leaves of most of the fruit-trees fade and wither
and fall ingloriously. They bequeath their heritage of color to their fruit. Upon it they
lavish the hues which other trees lavish upon their leaves....

But in October what a feast to the eye our woods and groves present!
The whole body of the air seems enriched by their calm, slow radiance.
They are giving back the light they have been absorbing from the sun all summer. "
JOHN BURROUGHS, "The Falling Leaves", Under the Maples


* * *

Wishing you a beautiful weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Canadians. Stay safe.

Heart Hugs,
Brenda
xox




19 comments:

  1. We too are anticipating the first frost with bated breath, in a push me, pull me, kind of way. The patio pots are all looking worse for wear, but at the same time, I spot new growth, even with the cool weather. And like you, I simply cannot dump a still-growing plant, especially when they've bloomed their hearts out for us all season. Nevertheless, we feel a frisson of excitement at the thought of the end of this season and the beginning of a new one. We are aiming to enjoy a beautiful fall day today, and say Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

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  2. Brenda, your garden has truly been beautiful this year. It has been a gift to you during this dreadful Covid situation. Often, things are sweeter during difficult times. Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving.

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  3. i have enjoyed my time spent in your gardens this year, even if only through the blog. happy Thanksgiving to you.

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  4. You have some beautiful Fall colors in the flowers and trees. I always loved to dry hydrangeas to put in a big basket. I never had one that was that deep purple! How lovely!

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  5. What glorious photos! While this is the time to bring some things indoors, it is a good time for planting certain perennials, depending on one’s area, of course. We hope to set out an Oak Leaf Hydrangea and a hardy Hibiscus in the next few days!

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  6. No frost warnings here yet, but plenty of rain overnight and wind today. I do love those rich shades of autumn hydrangeas - just beautiful! Saying goodbye to the garden is bittersweet, but this morning Tim pulled all the tomato plants (after harvesting a bowl full of small ones, and trimmed the grape vines to nubs. Quite a shocking difference to look out the kitchen or dining room window. Happy Thanksgiving to you both!

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  7. so beautiful. I was sighing audibly with pure delight at the words and pictures!! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  8. Beautiful photos, Brenda! The first flowers of spring and the last flowers of autumn are my favourites. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

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  9. You still seem to have lots of colour in the garden, but time is creeping on now. You cant risk frost damage especially to your lovely rose.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  10. Ah yes, it can be hard to put the flower pots away before it turns cold. Here in BC we've been enhjoying a beautiful and mild autumn but that's about to end. Yesterday, hubby put the outdoor furniture away. The garden is cleaned out and we're going to plant garlic this week. Bring it on. (I'm looking forward to the fallow season of hunkering down this year more than I can ever remember in the past. What a topsy-turvy year!) Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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  11. It is a bittersweet time for sure... Still hanging onto some summer flowers here as I can't bin them when they are still putting on a show.

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  12. Hello Dear Brenda...Thank you for your visit and comment. Your flower photos are quite lovely. It's such a bittersweet time of year, isn't it? Wishing YOU a week that is totally blessed, Brenda. Hugs. Susan

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  13. Dear beautiful.wordfromhome.
    The world needs worthy active citizens like you, who are a note of consolation and bring a sense of well-being to the blog visitors.
    Congratulations on the work you have done on the blog, its very nice aesthetics, and the beauty of your soul that is reflected through it.
    Listen to this song
    ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΑ ΚΑΤΗΦΟΡΑ:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s48ZZEXNnXY


    it's for the salvation of the people, it comes from an amazing album

    if you think it's worth it spread it

    god give
    to end the pandemic
    I always wish you and your family good health
    good continuation in your very important work



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  14. Thank you for sharing these lovely garden images. Naturally, I'm loving all the purple flowers.

    Today, I cleaned up my own tiny garden. The weather wasn't too cold and I just couldn't stand looking at the dead plants anymore.

    Happy Thanksgiving, Brenda!

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  15. Awww . . . thank you for bringing me along on your garden's farewell tour! I enjoyed it greatly, and feel the pangs of the farewell along with you.

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  16. Dear Brenda - I know just how you are feeling getting ready to put the garden and flowers to rest. We have a deep frost coming our way this weekend...got to gather the last of the peppers and tomatoes and say farewell to the pink cosmos and purple morning glories. Am savoring the last of summer's flowers too. Take care and have a lovely end to your week. Hugs!

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  17. Your garden is riot of colors! It has brighten up my unusually dreary day. Regards Naomi https://divineangelnumbers.com/

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To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo