Late November

Hey friends! I know I haven't been here in a few, so I'm updating now.

We're still having great weather in the high 50's-low 60's, which is so awesome for November. I simply cannot believe we just celebrated Thanksgiving already!! Time is flying so.

The shot of the ducks is from yesterday afternoon. The trees are bare, but the weather is still very mellow. This could go either way - it could snow next week, or we could continue to dodge the bullet. I so pray for a mild winter this year. Last year's snow levels were brutal.

As you can see in the shot with the little pots, my outdoor ivy is still thriving. I love the color it turns in the Fall. I'll bring it in when it gets colder & put it in the basement, watering only very sparingly. Then when spring hits, it will turn awesome colors of green & continue it's life. This will be it's 2nd year of survival. And to think all the ivies in the past I've thrown away. Sigh...

However, the rosemary I brought inside is tanking - fast. I've been using it to cook with, but it's drying up. It, like me, does not care for indoor heat. It's been good while it lasted.

I haven't raked any leaves (which is obvious) - I don't officially rake until my Mighty Willow is bare of all leaves. Otherwise, it's a moot point. That is when I finally call it winter - when all the tiny, pain in the ass leaves have all fallen.

Secret: some years, i don't rake at all. It's good ground cover for the spring. The grass still comes back, the plants still come up when they're sposed to. It's the cycle of life - no matter if I rake or not.

So far, I'm choosing 'not.' :-)