Our Indian summer has been incredible! 

Here it is 9:00 pm in our lovely state of Virginia and the thermometer reads 69 degrees as I just let the two dogs in for the night. It is warmer outside just now than it is in my house! Absolutely incredible! 

The autumn colors have just peaked but, probably because of the drought, they were not spectacular. 

Still, as I was sitting and reading in my side yard this afternoon, the contrasts were splendid. Some of the oak leaves are a green with red edges, other oaks have brown edged leaves. The maples mostly have turned yellow except for one out front which is a gorgeous orange, The Forsythia have turned a wine color while the jasmine is a brilliant scarlet. Even the trumpet vine, or maybe the poison ivy that climbs the pine trees adjacent to my yard, are a vivid red. 

Autumn truly is the second most beautiful season of the entire year after spring. Somehow, I think Dan would not be in total agreement with this, but you know Dan and his affinity for camping in the snow! 

There are six inches of leaves on the ground ready to be mulched .. maybe this weekend.

I harvested the last of the moonflower seed pods today and am going to dry the seeds for next year's plants. I've never done this before. Paige planted this thought in my head yesterday when I visited her and her darling little kids.

November began on a wonderful note. Lets see what happens next.

Love to all,
Aunt Maureen