Hurry Inside, It's Coming

Hurry inside, where it's warm, 

it's that time of the year when the air is cold

crisp, the sky is clear, stars bright,

but so chilly already.

 Thanks to a couple of the boys, 
the tender planters on the deck and the tomatoes
were quickly covered to protect them from
frost that is predicted for the next 3 nights.
During the day, the blankets come off mid-morning
as the sun warms the plants once more.

 In the meantime, the most vulnerable houseplants are invited in,
the tomatoes are picked, again and again, until the last box and basket are filled.  Look behind the Aloe and you will see the edge of another 25 lb. box of tomatoes.  Still, there are so many to ripen in the sunshine.  So much more work to do.

 I can hardly bring in my entire Hydrangea bush, 
so a bouquet comes in before the frost which will brown them before morning light.  The frost always bites the beautiful Hydrangea first thing.

 The array of colors and the size, oh my gracious, the size of some of these are larger than a dinner plate.  Magnificent!...

 and the colors.  My oh, my again.  From snow white to greens to pinks, all on one bush, one bloom, one outstanding show this year.  I am so happy.  There were several blooms that were basketball sized which I sent home for my Daughter-in-Law.  They are her favorite fall flowers, so she had to have some.

 If you are wondering, YES, the greens, pinks, whites, are all from the same bush and YES, these colors are true to life.  I'm so pleased to have saved just a handful before they are browned by morning from our bitter first frosts of this fall.

 Even the old '89 Ford F150 has been performing it's fall duties by delivering a coffee can full of corn to the deer and turkeys in the middle of the woods where they are undisturbed, for a treat.
Also, they were gifted with corn stalks and cabbage leaves tonight.  Lucky friends of the forest.

 One thing we do not have to protect from the light frost just yet, are the pumpkins, squash, cabbage, carrots, rutabagas, beets, or even the last stalk of celery.  All of these will benefit in sweetness from a frost.  The root crops, except potatoes, can actually be left in the ground all winter, provided with a cover of straw.  I do not do this, as I do not favor chipping my way through frozen ground for a carrot, but it can be done.  I have to draw the line somewhere.  No need for my dear man to get any silly ideas after 32 yrs. of wedded bliss as of today.

 Tonight's frost is supposed to be for real, already it's 39.4F.
We will definitely be seeing more colored leaves 
by the weekend.  I see a color tour around the corner.

For now, the woodshed is full, the pantry is pretty,
the freezer was organized today, and we are nearly ready....
Ready like a chipmunk, filling her nest with food and warmth
for another 6 months or more of bittersweet winter days and nights.  In spite of it all, I would not want to live where we could not enjoy all 4 seasons.  Awww, life is good!

Thanks for stopping by~~~~
Stay Safe and Warm
BlessYourHeart