Tuesday, October 8, 2024

LAST OF THE SUMMER BLOOMS

 
Alas... these are the last of the summer dahlia, just picked yesterday, with some added basil bloom from the herb garden. With such damp and rainy weather of the last 14 days, we finally have been treated with some warmth and sun, but alas...the garden is shot. I had the first big clean up and pruning back this weekend. While the garden is starting to look barren and leaf riddled, there are still a few delights to be seen in addition to the roses still blooming.

The bees and hummingbirds are still sucking the nectar from the fading salvia. I guess good to the last drop. 

In addition to Sophie arriving, one of Bouvier II's offspring, now a tan squirrel... has become very social over summer. I introduce Nutmeg...enjoying some black sunflower seeds near the woods edge. I know I'm nuts.
In other news and excitement around here, this arrived last week. I will look with pleasure and relish to fill this ballot out!!! It's back in the mail right after this shot was taken!!!!

30 comments:

  1. Begonias, bizzie-lizzies and salvias (and fuchsias; shame yours all got crisped in summer) are the saviours of this late season! As long as there's no frost, there will be flowers... Jx

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    1. Your right. Fuchsia don't stand a chance here after mid June. Buy the begonias are still going strong. Our salvias...maybe another two weeks if we're lucky.

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    2. It's usually too wet, windy and mizzly here in London for frost before December, sometimes even January, so we still get some (often quite sad-looking) blooms right through the darkest months.

      But this being Britain, who knows? I've said it before, and I'll say it again - "we don't have climate; we have weather!" Jx

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    3. I remember you always say that! I only wish we could hold some color that long. This week it has been beautiful.

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  2. Awwww, hand-feeding the wee squirrel -- too friggin CUTE for words!

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  3. However do you find the time to take care of your beautiful garden?

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    1. I spend about an hour or two after work each day. But with it getting cooler and dark early it gets easier as thing are removed or cut back.come November I won't be doing anything in the garden. Luckily we have a lawn guy to mow and trim bushes. That helps.

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  4. I love that you take care of the little critters like Bouvier....

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  5. I mailed my ballot today, too! Squeeeee! We are ballot buddies. We had tons of judges on the ballot with the question, Should this judge be retained? I looked up every single judge and ended up voting no on all of them because they are ultra conservatives (many of them members of The Federalist Society) appointed by Skeletor (Rick Scott) or DeSantis. Your flowers are beautiful. I killed my two beautiful rose bushes and I'm so mad at myself. It was a big accident. I miss them. They bloomed on and off all year round. I want to get some pumpkins and paint them blue. Love your little friend being treated to sunflower seeds, you sweetheart.

    Love,
    Janie

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    Replies
    1. Most of my friends think im nuts feeding these critters. Im certain once im old im destined to become Little Edie.

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    2. HA! Now I'll think of you as Little Edie. That's hilarious!

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  6. Anonymous10/08/2024

    Maîtresse, ton Jardin est charmant et l’écureuil est adorable. :)
    -Beau Mec à Deauville

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  7. Yay!!!! Your ballot! Im still awaiting mine. I think your garden looks seasonal....and you still have color. Love the wildflowers. They still seem to be doing well. And pumpkins. They make me happy for some reason.

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  8. Anonymous10/08/2024

    Tundra Bunny here...

    What a beautiful door wreath you have, Maddie! And Nutmeg is a cute little beggar too. Are you sure your Spirit Animal is not a squirrel?

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    1. I don't know, maybe. I've been told I'm squirrely.

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  9. You CAST A GODDAMNED VOTE!!!! Brava!!!!

    Love the orange flowers and the fall arrangements; so festive.
    Nutmeg's name suits her.

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    1. SIGNED, SEALED and DELIVERED, with immense pleasure!

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  10. I feel I can almost reach out and pet that squirrel.

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  11. A beautiful way to see out summer. Nutmeg is adorable!

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  12. The squirrel sensed your nuts! Take that the way you want! Your garden still looks seasonal at least. I think the autumn touches.

    I got my ballot and sent it back already. If she doesn't win, I will be a hermit for some time.

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    1. Me too. I know I will withdraw for some time.

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  13. It's looking empty but like you said, you still have so color and it still looks pretty.

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  14. The squirrel is pretty color, just don't let him nibble on nuts.

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  15. Love the squirrel pic, but sad to say American grey squirrels have almost completely wiped out our indigenous red squirrels. No more Squirrel Nutkin; what would Beatrice Potter say?

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    1. Most of our squirrels...in this area at least are grey. First brown squirrel i have seen in addition to two white ones earlier in the summer.

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  16. It's nice to see some splashes of colour still reamin in the garden. And Nutmeg brightens it up, too!

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    1. The color is barely hanging on it seems. While nice here now. I think all that rain the last two weeks dampened things.

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  17. It makes me a bit sad to see your garden fading.....but love the autumn touches of pumpkins and the wreath is stunning.

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  18. Your Dahlias put us to shame but I was pleased to see that your first Bizzy Lizzy is all but identical to ours, such a good doer.
    you also put us to shame with your sorting and a clearing of the garden, we are very amiss and behind in that department

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!