Hanging on to Fall

     Some Christmas decorations were up before Halloween and I don't like it.  I would rather savor each season as it comes.  So, even though the days are short, I'll wait to put my (electric) candles in the windows until next weekend.  

     I'm thankful we have not had snow that would crush the beautiful seeded annuals and perennials, like this goldenrod.  This photo was taken in Wildwood Park, looking south toward a great White Oak.  I've always thought of this oak as the one on the Metroparks logo.  It must have grown up by itself in this field to have such a symmetric form. 

Family Times

Bill fries one turkey.

Dueling turkeys:

Bill's fried (with Deb as assistant)...

... & Jonna's roasted (Cindy carves and Suzanne assists)

Jim, Jonna, Bill, Deb & Cindy

Calm before the storm

     One hour before everyone arrives (21 total), and all is calm.  One turkey "resting" after it's time in the oven, and one ready to go in the fryer.  We're ready.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Goldfinch Staying for Winter!

     The American Goldfinch is one of my favorite birds.  The males are beautiful in their summer plumage and both sexes are dainty and their chattering heartwarming.  For many years we had 4 pair overwinter, but they stopped when I moved the thistle feeder (so I could see them better - silly me).  It looks like I finally coaxed them to the new spot by planting cone flowers nearby. 

Frost Flowers

     Eileen Sawyer is an amateur naturalist who volunteers for the Toledo Area Metroparks by leading the vernal pool monitoring program.  She has kindly consented to sharing these photos of frost flowers she took last week.  You can see them at the base of this plant.

     Frost flowers are formed when cold temperatures cause cracks in plant stems, allowing sap or water (propelled by capillary action) to extrude slowly and freeze. 

     They do not last for more than a few hours, fading away with the sun's rays.  You can learn more (and see more beautiful photos) by watching this youtube video or reading this website.

Sleep Over

     Dan's parent's dog is spending a few days with us.  I think if you asked Hudson what his preference was, it would be for Fin to stay with someone else.  Since no one asked him, he's taking it in stride.

First Frost

One week ago we had our first frost .......

?Indian Grass?

Sweet Everlasting 

(one of my favorites)

Blue Curls

(see September 10th entry to view in full flower) 

Halloween 2011

      We don't get many kids coming to our door on Halloween, but we can always count on the Gouldings.  Under their coats, Abby was a princess and Madeline was a bumble bee.  Peter was a chick, who was somehow able to drop a tootsie roll pop from his mouth onto the ground and back again before any of the 5 adults nearby could interfere.