My hands are very sensitive to cold for some reason and I have to wait till it warms up a bit in the afternoon to work outside. I've been using disposable clear vinyl gloves as I wore out all my gardening gloves this summer. I still have lots of work left to do to put the gardens to bed but when my back gets sore, I come in. We have a good stretch of sunny days left to come, thank goodness so I should be able to clean everything up. We've had heavy frost two days in a row. This morning it was -2℃ or 28.4℉.
November is letting us know that it has arrived. I should go outside and blow some bubbles to see them freeze. I think it would be pretty cool. Pardon the pun.
I was cold during the night as I keep my bedroom on the cool side. I went to Walmart to buy a new blanket to replace that synthetic blanket that was falling apart but I only saw some duvets and comforters. The parking lot at the mall was almost full so I decided not to continue shopping and bought some socks and came home without a blanket. I might have to shop online. I'm just not a shopper.
The long daylily bed has been cleared. There are still a few weeds left to pull.
I cut down the daylilies and sundrops in this bed and now I can see the creeping Charlies making their way in the bed.
The hosta will be cleaned out this afternoon. The frost really did a job on them to make it easier for me to do my job.
Even the skunks were busy last night looking for grubs along the path. They sure can make a mess in no time.
Where someplace are still basking in beautiful autumn colors, our trees are bare all along the riverside.
Not much color left around our place but there is still a bit of color left along the road to the city.
This is what is left of our overgrown hedge. The next-door neighbor told my husband that he wanted to trim the hedge but I had no idea that this is what he had in mind. I was shocked, and it took me some time to come to terms with this. I thought that he was going to pull the stumps out but he said no, they will grow back into a hedge. I don't know about that but I'm getting more sun on that side. I can no longer trim the hedge because of my shoulder injury from my falls on the ice.
This picture was taken a few days ago and already today, all the leaves are yellow and wilted. I tried to remove the photo but I couldn't replace it with a more recent one.
November is the month for the dead and a month to visit cemeteries. This is our daughter Nicole's grave and we miss her all so much. November is also my birthday month.
I sewed up 16 heating pads that can be heated in the microwave or put in the freezer and used as a cold pack. These were made for our upcoming Christmas Craft sale but the event was canceled due to Covid.
I made some for my three great-grandkids this spring and they just love them.
I came upon a molasses pie recipe the other day and I decided to try it. It was surprisingly delicious and tasted more like a cake and was not too sweet. The husband loved it. I also learned that it was also called shoo Fly Pie.
Thanks for your visit and your comments. Have a great week everyone and is well.
You have been busy. That hedge trimming? My father pruned my mother's camellia like that. It did ultimately bloom again. Beautifully - but it took years.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences on the loss of your daughter. A loss which doesn't diminish.
How busy you have been! Garden chores can be back-breaking; take it easy! Sending special hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteMy fall clean-up has not only "stalled," it has come to a full stop. It got so cold, and then so windy...and I can do so very little that way each day if I still want to be able to stand or walk without crying. So, I guess it will stay. The plants I did get cut back earlier actually started coming back already. Sigh...just can't win. I am so sorry, Julia, to learn of your loss. The loss of a child is a pain I cannot, nor do I want to be able to, imagine. Your pie looks beautiful...I have heard of shoo fly pie and went as far as searching for a recipe...but it seemed like it would be too sweet. I can't do pecan pie either... And...yeah...those little microwave packs are awesome. Do you fill yours with rice? ~Robin~ (PS...I did not know you were THAT close to the river! Cool beans!)
ReplyDeleteHi Robin, I use cotton twill for the fabric as it is thick fabric and won't melt in the microwave and I use oats which I slowly cook at 200 degree F. in the oven for a few hours to kill any bacterias before I fill the bags. These bags can be use over and over and over.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I've had a bit of difficulty in finding some better prints and the store where I buy it only brings it in once a year.
Like Robin I was interested in what you use for the heat up to help aches and pains. But I use rice and it works really well.
ReplyDeleteI didn't work outside today as I went to Walmart to pick up a few things and the parking lot was FULL. Then saw a sign which indicated the 'black Friday sale pick up was on the other side of the parking lot. So guess Black friday started much earlier this year.
You are super busy. I usually leave the hostas until Spring but that backfired on me this year because of my surgery in the Spring. My Granddaughter is looking to make some money so I think I'll hire her to help clean out all my beds! My mom made me a rice bag years ago that I use daily! It feels like a hug from her! I've heard of Shoo Fly pie but have never seen or eaten one. Yours looks yummy! Have a good weekend. We're supposed to warm up a bit so outside work should be easier. Take care Julia!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you. I cannot even begin to imagine how painful it was losing Nicole.
ReplyDeleteOn a happier note...happy birthday!!!
I wouldn't say your neighbor trimmed the hedges. More like murdered them...but you will probably be surprised how they will come back.
Your clean up looks painful! We are going to have a few warmer days, so hopefully I will get a bit more done and mow and edge once again.
You are a very industrious woman my friend, while I'm riding horses and playing with my grandkids you are cleaning your flower beds and tidying up your yard. You are a great example of a hard worker! I'm so sorry about our daughter, I can't even imagine losing a child. My husbands sister passed away in her 30's 20 years ago and I can still see the pain in my mother in laws eyes every year when her birthday comes around. Speaking of birthdays, Happy Birthday to you!!! Your pie looks amazing!! I've heard of a Shoo Fly pie but have never seen one, now I know what it is and my mouth is watering for a slice. Our temperatures are dropping at night but not quite as cold as yours yet but enough to remove the hoses from the spigots. The cold weather is on its way. Your heating/cold pads are awesome. What do you fill them with? I have a couple but they are heating pads only. Just stick them in the in the microwave.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you.
ReplyDeleteI continue to pray for you and your family. xx oo
I am not a shopper as well, another thing we have in common. :-)
You are doing fantastic with your Autumn clean up!
I have heard of shoo fly pie but have never tried it. Kudos for you on the garden cleanup. I would be livid if my neighbor left my shrubs like that. So sorry about your daughter. Will remember her in my prayers for you. Janice
ReplyDeleteThe pie looks so good!
ReplyDeleteWow! YOU are a busy bee! The iris bed looks just perfect. We're losing all of our leaves, too. It's okay. I hope you find a nice blanket or maybe make yourself a quilt!