Busy Bees

We have been enjoying some fine Indian Summer weather this week and it has allowed us to be busy, busy, busy outside. The leaves are almost all down now, so soon the raking will begin. But first, the deck must be cleaned and then coated with the sealer and it has been the perfect week to do it.

We are not the only busy ones outside. My late blooming mum (now pretty much the only flowers left) have attracted quite a bevy of bees the last few days. I have to keep a close eye on Lillian as she closely examines this plant every time she goes by it. She sees those bees and would like to grab them!



And look, isn't Lillian so helpful. Here she is trying to shake the leaves off the lilac.


And then she is ready to sweep up the leaves.


And finally, she was ready to set these seeds free as only a child can. Or maybe she is going to eat them.

Leaves, Freeze, and Eye Pleasing

I have been waiting patiently this year for our trees to be at their peak color in order to photograph them to share with you and as part of Dave's Garden Blogger's Fall Color Project.

Of course, you never know when peak is, until it is past. Add to that the fact that I don't think our trees are in top color form this year, I think due to the extremely dry conditions for the past several months, and you have me waiting and waiting for the event that is not coming. I have been taking pictures over a couple of days and have not thought them to be as stunning as in past years (the leaves OR the pictures).

I also took some pictures this morning after a very hard frost and maybe a few snowflakes ?!? The lighting has helped make the leaves seem on fire but they are falling fast now. You could just hear them crinkling against one another as they drift to the ground. The maple closest to the house, which is always last to turn and drop, is still holding tightly to her leaves, but the other maples are shedding them quickly, as if the last couple of cold days have convinced them it is time to call it quits for the year and go into winter mode NOW.

So, here are some photos from around our house taken within this past week. Enjoy!














Finally, this Mum just starting to bloom added a nice surprise to my brisk morning walk.