Autumn is my favourite season. (Although, I have to admit, I also love Winter, Spring, and Summer.) But yesterday when I woke up, the rain was pounding down and the wind was howling. There was fresh snow on the mountain tops. I thought twice about loving Fall.
But then I put on my rain clothes and went out for a nice long walk, which included a stop at the Little Free Library in my neighbourhood. I picked up new Kate Quinn novel, and tucked it inside my raincoat to keep it dry. I admired the Halloween decorations at various houses. And I was back to loving Fall.
Today the sun shone gloriously all day long. The leaves are multi-coloured, a perfect Fall day. Our back garden is a vision to behold on a day like this.
I went to a local pumpkin patch with my daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons.
We each chose a pumpkin to take home. Later, I went for a walk on the forest trails near my home.
The tree frogs are very noisy along the trails at this time of year. I paused to look for a frog that was croaking right beside my toe. But they are very good at camouflage. Although I stood there for several minutes looking for it, I could not spot it.
Yes, it's settled. I love sunny Autumn days. Rainy ones are fine, too. They're great for rain walks, reading in front of the fireplace, writing, and baking pies.
In the last couple of weeks, I've baked two pies -- a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, and an apple pie this week. Rob is happy. Isn't retirement grand?
I like fall the best. The weather has been better this year than I can remember. I like the cooler weather. Do you know who to put white space around your photos?
ReplyDeleteHi Ann. I have always loved the crisp weather of Fall and the colours of the autumn leaves. This has been a really spectacular Fall compared to last year and the one before, which I remember as having been very rainy.
DeleteRegarding your question about photos — Blogger did an overhaul of its system a few months ago, and ever since then, layout and photo placement has been extremely difficult to work with, even worse than before. Whenever I write a post now, I spend more time trying to fix the layout than actually writing the text or importing the photos. Drag and drop no longer works, and the compose view is very different than the published view (they do not have a “wysiwyg” layout function). I wrote this post using the HTML option rather than the compose option, but then found that I didn’t have access to the tool that allows me to cation my photos. Frustrating.
I suppose I should try that trick Donna taught us about writing it in Word using a Blogger template. Or maybe I need to update my template again to try to find something easier to work with.
Jude
Hi Jude, I agree about the mixed feelings about Fall. It is often good cocooning weather, indoors with the rain and wind. Yet, really worth putting on the boots and rain jacket and getting outside. Invigorating.
ReplyDeleteI love your family photos with all of the smiles and of course, pumpkins. The Autumn colours are gorgeous! My clothes and boots laid out and ready to go. 😊
Hi Erica. This year, because of COVID restrictions, all of the local pumpkin farms are accepting visitors by reservation only and they were mostly all booked up. We went to one we’d never been to before, and felt lucky to be able to get in on such a glorious sunny day.
DeleteI generally try to get out for a walk every day, although I admit that I feel far more motivated to be outdoors on sunny days than rainy ones.
Jude
Oh, great information about the reservations for pumpkin farms. I will send my daughters a message since it is likely the same in Victoria/Saanich area. Thank you!
DeleteI hope your grandkids get to visit a pumpkin farm this year. It’s always a highlight for my grandsons.
DeleteJude
I love autumn colours too, and you’ve captured some beautiful ones.
ReplyDeleteAnabel, autumn colours make me think about getting out my paints and canvases again.
DeleteJude
Hi, Judith - Yes! Retirement is absolutely grand. Those pies look amazing!!
ReplyDeleteVancouver Island weather is very strange. I've hiked locally every day this week and never came across rain. Is really is incredible how this works. (Fingers crossed that I have not jinxed myself).
See you Friday!
Donna, our neighbour dropped by with a gift of some beautiful apples and pears from his trees. So this weekend I branched out from making pie and made a pear clafoutis, which was a big hit.
DeleteSee you soon!
Jude
We don't get those (or, at least much) colors here so I really enjoy seeing pictures of the autumn foliage.
ReplyDeleteThat pumpkin patch looks like fun!
Janis, I think I would miss the autumn colours if I lived somewhere warmer. However, after the leaves fall, we have many months of bare branches and few colours. Where you are, you have so many big showy blossoms throughout the year, and also really interesting succulents. Every place has its own beauty.
DeleteJude
Hi Jude, Yes, retirement is grand! Glad you had a nice family outing on a sunny day and got your pumpkins. The trails and Fall foliage look lovely. Your pie looks delicious. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie. Yes, sunny days in the Fall are just spectacular around here. My grandkids and their mom and dad have already carved their pumpkins. The boys proudly showed them to me today, all lined up by their front door. I’m not planning to carve mine. I have my eye on eating it. More pumpkin pies perhaps?
DeleteJude
Retirement IS grand. And arbutus berries are pretty, except when they are falling onto one's car every day and night. :-(
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, Jude. Autumn was/is my favourite season, too...but now that I live in a much more moderate climate I just may add a few more seasons to my favourites list. ;-)
Deb
Deb, you have been having a very eventful first year of retirement. I’m glad you decided to settle here on the Island. It certainly is a decision that we have not regretted. The fact that we can love every season here adds to the sweetness of retirement.
DeleteJude
Your retirement days sure sound lovely, Jude. Especially where you live. Fall is glorious. As long as the sky is blue and I’m wearing enough clothes. Lovely walks!
ReplyDeleteLiesbet, you and Mark would probably find our Fall weather a bit too chilly for your tastes. But I like the crisp days, and I’m used to it. And, yes, we have a closet full of jackets, sweaters, rain pants, etc.
DeleteJude
I would have to say that Fall is my favourite too. There is just so much to like - the cooler weather after the heat and humidity of summer, the vegetable markets overflowing, and of course nature putting on her spectacular show of colour!
ReplyDeleteWith the right clothing, even a walk in the rain can be delightful ... although I'm less enthused about wind 😉
We were promised a long, mild Fall this year, but given the chilly temperatures we've had lately and the possibility of snow this weekend, I'd say the weatherman lied. Again.
Happy Hallowe'en! Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
Hi Joanne. We missed you yesterday. We had a wet, cool spring and a wet, cool summer. But all throughout September and October, the weather has been spectacular here. I wasn’t sad about the cool summer as really really needed it after the last two abnormally hot summers filled with drought and wildfires. But I sure am enjoying the fall weather. They are predicting a long cold winter here, which, again, is needed. And I love snow! And skiing.
DeleteHappy Hallowe’en to you too.
Jude
Such a lovely upbeat post Jude. I love Autumn too and tried to be in Chicago for the colors but it seems we were there a couple of weeks too early. Oh well! I used to love Spring too. A season that we do not experience in tropical countries.
ReplyDeleteYour pie looks fabulous. So impressive. I do like your forest trail ~ how lucky you are to have that so close to home. Beautiful family.. all smiles all around.
Peta
Peta, thanks for your cheery comments. During these difficult times, I find that getting out in the beauty of nature and spending time with loved ones (even by phone and screen when we can’t be together in person) are so important. There are many joys to be found in everyday life in spite of these hard times.
DeleteJude