My Japanese Maple...

My small Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) began its life in my garden as a twig brought home from the clearance rack of a big box store. Since it has definitely grown over the past couple of years, I'm guessing it is happy in my garden.




Right now, its leaves are fiery, especially when the sun shines through them. They positively glow and since most of the trees around here are loosing their color, this is one I look for as I go by my garden.




I had thought of planting Violas in the container for the Winter as the little tree goes dormant, but I decided not to because it won't get enough sun where it is for the flowers to do well. So, I'll just enjoy its silhouette for the next few months.


Have a beautiful day!

Fall inside and out...

The trees have been absolutely gorgeous this Fall and I have enjoyed looking at them through the sliding door/window of the dining room. I have a large mirror on the wall opposite the sliding door/window so the trees are then reflected in the mirror as well.



To add the wonderfulness of all this Fall beauty, I found a tablecloth that I love that reflects this season perfectly for me. In a way, it is another mirror to what is happening outside.




And when I would walk into the dining room and see the table cloth and see the trees outside with their Fall glory, it would just fill the room with the colors of this time of year. The trees are not so colorful now, but that only makes me like the tablecloth even more.




It's a little difficult to tell from the pictures, but there are leaves and acorns woven into the design of the fabric. I added my brass candle holders with cheerful red candles and the charming little, glowing pumpkins and it all just makes me smile. Wouldn't it be nice if you could come over and share some spiced cider with me?


Have a beautiful day!

New carpet...

A new carpet? No, not for me. For the ground outside. Most of the lovely Fall leaves are now carpeting the fields and forests after the rain yesterday and the wind last night.



The colors are so beautiful but they don't last long once the leaves have fallen. Soon they will begin their new job of feeding the soil. And so the cycle continues.




I like to look at the path going into the woods at any time of year, but I think Fall is my favorite. It makes me think that somehow there are possibilities; that there is a road not taken.


Have a beautiful day!

Bad idea...

O.K., so I had been considering not putting any flowers on the back deck for the Winter. What was I thinking??? There is no way I could have made it through the dark and dreary months without some cheerful little Johnnies out there.



I realized this after I had cleared away the Summer pots. It left the spot much too desolate. Really, I have no idea how I came to believe that it would be acceptable not to plant flowers there.




I would love to have gobs of pots here and masses and masses of flowers, but just this one will indeed get me through the Winter. I spray-painted the container several years ago and I think the yellow Violas look very pretty against the blue.


Have a beautiful day!

Bloom Day November 2010...

"It was a dark and dreary afternoon...", and as I worked in the rain, I kept thinking, how nice that I could come home and post pictures of flowers! I took these this morning before it got so dark and dreary.





The above picture captures basically what is happening in my garden right now. I have a few roses blooming and several different types of Salvias blooming, but the Salvias are starting to fade. Most of my garden is going to sleep. I have planted some Violas to begin to get ready for Winter, but I'll save them for December's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.





I've moved tender plants into my greenhouse because we've had a few nights already that have dipped below freezing. The greenhouse looks so tropical and I love the concentration of flowers within it. Thanks for stopping by and please be sure to visit May Dreams Gardens to find more gardeners posting about what is blooming in their gardens today.


Have a beautiful day!

Beautiful leaves...

I think the Fall colors around my home this year are the most beautiful I have seen since I moved here. They are absolutely gorgeous and have lasted longer than they normally do.




They are starting to fade a little now, but it is still so amazing to see them glowing in the sun. Sometimes the leaves even sparkle in the most glorious way. I wish I could capture their beauty, but the camera really doesn't do them justice. Although, Julie did do a nice job taking pictures for me today.




This morning, Julie and I were walking someplace together and we stopped and gazed up into one of these lovely trees. It was so wonderful to see the brilliant Fall leaves against the incredible blue sky.



Have a beautiful day!

A bed of roses...

I found a sleepy bumble bee taking a nap in Ballerina Rose.


Have a beautiful day!