Oh October...

I think the month of October is much too short.

Don't you think so too?

A month this beautiful should be at least 40 days long!!! 

and I don't think that would even be long enough!

It has been so beautiful here. 

The weather has been perfect for a 'perfect' Autumn.

We've had both rainy and mild.

I have been cutting a lot of the hydrangeas in their many different and varying 

colors over the past few days.

The hydrangeas in this post are Limelight, a variety hardy to the zone I live in. 

 The changes in the garden have been so enjoyable to watch. 

Every morning the change is dramatic.

 

I have been working so hard getting things transplanted and winterized.

Every day I'm out cutting back foliage, weeding and dividing perennials.

I have a small garden so I am able to manage it by myself without help. 

It consists of one very large bed, with several smaller beds around the property.

I wish the entire property was in garden, but Dale thinks I have plenty to keep me busy.

(especially since he had to do a lot of it himself this year)

I would do without the large lawn area we have and plant it all in flowers and shrubs 

if I had my way.

I am making the most of the area I have by planning more garden structures for Dale to build.

He is always so much help and always willing to build what I think will work in the space.

He retired this Spring from law enforcement and I am enjoying having him home more.

He is loving spending more time with the horses. 

I dream of having a garden like Carolyn's at Aiken House & Gardens  but I will be content 

going to her beautiful blog 

viewing all of her amazing beds and beautiful garden rooms.

Did you know that she and her husband do all the work themselves too? And her garden is huge!

But, like I said, my own garden is very small and I have a lot crammed into it, so it does 

entail a bit of work three seasons of the year. 

It's the best kind of work!

 My Centurion crab apple trees in the back yard are starting to change color

and before the leaves fall, they will be gorgeous.

I look forward to this every year.

I will be raking leaves soon, but I can't get too anxious or I will be raking them twice. 

And just around the corner of the house it still looks like Summer.

This is the south side of the house and it has it's own little micro-climate.

The roses and sweet peas are still blooming like they were blooming a month ago.

I cut a little bouquet almost daily.

Sweet peas really are a remarkable little flower.
Lovely form and lovely fragrance.

I am still harvesting lavender and getting plenty for the sachets I will make this Winter.

It's tedious work getting it off the stem, but I just pop in a movie and work away.

For now, I still have many things on my to-do list to do before the snow comes.

SO, 

I am going to start lobbying to make October at least ten days longer.