Move over - the plants are coming in!

 October came and went like a flash.

Every year I seem to have more plants that I want to over winter in the house.

This means I have to give up a good part of my laundry room.

I was preparing a post about the laundry room make over, but then the cold weather hit and the plants were forced inside before I was finished. And the Goldfish came inside before I could even locate the bag of gravel for the bottom of the tank!

So I guess the rest of my laundry room makeover is going to have to wait.

I'll be down in the basement looking for the fishes gravel and backdrop.

:)

Busy, busy, busy!

 I can't believe it has been almost 2 weeks since my last post!

I have been very busy getting the 'fall chores' done and trying to get my gardening job finished for the season. Now that I am finished with work I am able to devote more time to home and family.

We spent an entire weekend cleaning up the yard, pulling down the pool and getting the lawn furniture put away. Then we got the winter firewood delivered. We weren't sure we were going to fit it all inside of the shed...

A day later it was all in there...phew!

There were also things to bring in from the garden. I tried growing heirloom carrots this year and they turned out OK. I ended up with quite a few sinks full. The kids aren't too sure about purple carrots though! (might I add that the horses like purple ones as much as orange ones!)

The 'Black Tuscan' Kale was a little disappointing. The bugs didn't leave me too much and this was all I managed to save from the whole row. It was delicious so I might give it another try.

I managed to get part of the back garden cleaned up last weekend but there is still  much to do. I still had a few lovely blooms yesterday, but this morning I had a nasty surprise...

this years first snow!!

Remember my lovely Dahlia's that looked like this?

 Now they look like this!!

The Elephant Ear's on the deck that looked like this?

Now they look like this...

 My beautiful planters now look like this

This weekend, weather permitting, I will spend time out there cleaning up. No rush ... I don't have to go to work anymore!

Soon the laundry room project!

Wet, windy weather and lists

Something about windy, wet weather.

I'm stuck inside, my gardens a memory

When I'm sitting inside by the fire, all I can think about is home renovations.

You may recall we renovated the kitchen last winter. There are still things needed in there to complete the project...bits of trim, sealer on the tiles, a new microwave and a nice ceiling fan/light fixture. Now I think the fridge is on it's last legs too. I'm starting a list.

Next in line is the laundry area. We had to replace some drywall after we had the roof fixed and a leak  from the aquarium. Then summer came and we were too busy to finish the job. Now it is time to finish the job ... paint, wainscoting and curtains. I've started a list.

Next comes the living room. We have wanted to renovate and re-decorate for years. Last year I repainted the walls, but we didn't get to the new carpet or couches. I haven't even hung the pictures back up yet!

I also want to finish the wall behind the wood stove. It looks so...plain.

I'm adding to the list.

2 more weeks until I am done my gardening job and then I'll begin.

I can't wait!!

Fertilizer Friday - still blooming!!

Time once again for Fertilizer Friday!!

It is now the 14th of October and I still have blooms!

We shall see how long that lasts ... the rain and high winds have started.  I went outside to snap a few pictures before Mother Nature takes away what may be the last blooms of the season.

This 'Duchess of Edinburgh' is this seasons first. I thought I had lost this Clematis vine

The Dahlia's are suddenly bursting open with gorgeous new blooms too

Yarrow is having its second wind as well. I don't remember the first blooms being this bright

The Dipledenia is still blooming too despite the cool temperatures.

'Midas Touch' Rose just keeps on blooming

This yellow Mum is SO bright!

The Monkshood is actually EARLY this year. It usually waits until November

I just dragged this Brugmansia inside as the winds started. The blooms just opened and the scent is heavenly!!

Lets keep our fingers crossed for next week :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

The weather couldn't have been more perfect for this long weekend.

I had the privilege of spending time with both family and friends this weekend, and I truly feel blessed and thankful to have such wonderful people in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I leave you with beautiful scenes of Autumn in Ontario

A day late! Fertilizer Friday- October 7

It's been a very busy week!

Despite a patchy first frost this week, the gardens are enjoying this wonderful long weekend weather and seem rejuvenated in a way.

The Daisy's were done at the end of July, but a few have opened in the past few days.

These tender Fuchsia's survived the frost hiding under the eaves

Sweet Peas

A couple of Dahlia's

A cluster of miniature red Roses and a fragrant pink 'Home and Garden' bloom

Some fall Mum's are blooming too ... the yellow here in the back garden really catches the eye

Close up

A fall Aster

I hope I'm not too late to join Tootsie!

Check out Fertilizer Friday!

A rainy, fall day

As much as I hate to admit it, Fall is truly here.

While the calendar told me that a few weeks ago, I think I have been in denial.

With Autumn comes a lot of work...putting things away, stacking firewood, taking down the pool, filling up the fuel tanks, and putting the gardens to bed.

 The weather has still been nice and the flower gardens aren't looking too bad. 

The Welcome Garden is in bad need of trimming, but still has some color.

I haven't been out to trim, weed, or deadhead in weeks!

The trees are starting their yearly show

And today is a rainy, cold day.

I don't want to be outside today, yet it is a little cool in here.

Not for long!

Something about rainy, fall days makes me want to bake.

2 apple pies and some banana bread - and I see someone couldn't wait!

It is now cozy and warm in this 'ole farm house.

And it smells heavenly!

Maybe fall isn't so bad after all.