Leaf Peeping?

Today is the 8th of October and by the history that I’ve got hidden somewhere in my little brain, this past weekend (the weekend after my birthday) should be peak foliage here in our corner of the world. But instead, it has been in the 70’s and 80’s with no rain for a very long time. Lots of the oak trees have dropped their leaves.

Instead of the red and orange and gold of the maples we usually experience on this past weekend, we still have zinnias blooming and blooming - oh how I love their exuberance. I'll take the extra blooms in my vases and kitchen while I can.


I really do look forward to leaf-peeping season every year. It is my very favorite time of year – I break out all the woolens and go for long walks in the crisp, newly cold air. Instead, we have…… Beautiful red dahlia’s blooming .....


And my tomatoes are still ripening. It seems I planted very few red tomatoes this year and the sauce I am putting away is more orange than red. Oh, the trouble with heirlooms tomatoes, nary a red tomato!


The sunflowers on the other hand, have finished their show and the birds are enjoying the fruits of their labors. We've put out some beautiful large pumpkins onto the self-serve haywagon and we're hoping they get purchased before they get squashed!

I never get to making pesto until frost is threatened. Since that hasn’t happened yet, my basil is still growing and blooming. But tomorrow I am going to get to that basil and mix up several batches of pesto to put away for the winter. Black fingernails without polish for sure.