Posted on by Donna

Seasonal Celebrations-Autumn’s Blessings

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“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” 
― Lauren DeStefano

 

 

It is that time of year when we start to think of change in the garden.  The weather shifts a bit tickling us with a nip in the air.  The leaves take on a lighter green and begin to fade to yellows and reds here and there.  The fall flowers come on strong, and the veg garden begins to wind down.

I can hardly begin to think about fall DSCN2155as I spent so little time in the garden in spring and summer.  But I think the fall garden is one of the most special.  It is so very rich in blessings, and what a celebration it gives before retiring for the year.

So instead of grumbling about fall coming, I want to take time to celebrate all the earth has given me in my gardens!

 

 

“The days may not be so bright and balmy—yet the quiet and melancholy that linger around them is fraught with glory. Over everything connected with autumn there lingers some golden spell—some unseen influence that penetrates the soul with its mysterious power.” ~Northern Advocate 

 

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“Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable…the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street…by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese.”  
~ Hal Borland
 
 
The geese are beginning to move already.  And many birds have left the garden.  Packed up and taken their beautiful song and cute little babies South.  But the Goldfinches are now stealing the show in the garden as they have free reign to gorge on all the seed left from the summer blooms.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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“Methinks I see the sunset light flooding the river valley, the western hills stretching to the horizon, overhung with trees gorgeous and glowing with the tints of autumn—a mighty flower garden, blossoming under the spell of the enchanter, Frost…”
~John Greenleaf Whittier, “Patucket Falls” 
 
 
As the sunsets earlier in fall, it hits the barren trees with a magical color that is unseen in other seasons.  The colors of fall splash from the sky to the trees to flower blooms that continue on into fall.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 “The leaves fall patiently
Nothing remembers or grieves
The river takes to the sea
The yellow drift of leaves.”
~ Sara Teasdale
 
 
I am just catching a glimpse of the leaves already turning in the garden.  I can’t hold back autumn.  It will come no matter what I do or what I think.  So I have decided to enjoy every second of this seasonal change.
 
 
 
 
 
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“Then summer fades and passes, and October comes. Will smell smoke then, and feel an unsuspected sharpness, a thrill of nervous, swift elation, a sense of sadness and departure.”
~Thomas Wolfe, You Can’t Go Home Again
 
 
Autumn is always a bittersweet time.  The lovely colors, the childhood memories of school and Halloween, the late veg garden still producing, but soon the winds will shift and bite cold.  The color will drain from the garden as autumn progresses.  But it only makes the buds of spring just that much more beautiful next year.
 
 
 
 
 

My autumn mantra:

And even with these bittersweet thoughts, I am honoring autumn.  There is so much to look forward to.  To rejoice in…so many blessings to hold on to and remember.  Abundance galore!  And since I spent so little time in the garden in spring and summer, I hope to sink my hands into the soil, before it freezes, to pull weeds, cut back some plants, divide and move others and see what changes I want to make in spring.

 

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“The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car… a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little.”  ~ Ben Sweetland

 

 

 

 
 
 

I hope you will join in by writing a post between now and September 21st.  Then leave a comment on this post with your link so I can include your link in my summary post on September 22nd.

 
 
 
And it seems so appropriate to collaborate with Beth@Plant Postings and her Lessons Learned meme at this same time.  What lessons have you learned this past season of summer here in the North and winter in the South.  Write a separate post or combine your lessons with your celebrations.
 

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Next up on the blog:  Monday will be time to review the August Garden.  And Wednesday I will have a wildlife post.  I have been seeing so many incredible critters with their special stories.

 

All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2014.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.

 

49 Replies to “Seasonal Celebrations-Autumn’s Blessings”

  3. there are odd signs that autumn isn’t far away. The walnut trees have tinges of brown to their leaves and the fig, despite so much rain has lost half its foliage but the air is still hot and telling me that summer (although hardly arrived this year) hasn’t finished yet.

    1. Nice to hear summer is still with you…it is an unusual time of year when socially we are ending summer this Monday, beaches close and school starts…but nature still says summer though it is sliding over so slowly to fall. We have a week of heat coming and then I think it will definitely cool down.

  4. Such beautiful pictures! Loved the first quote. Is this your garden? Then, you are lucky to have such a lovely garden full of colours.

    1. Thanks Charuhas and yes these pictures are from my garden…the picture of the orange glowing trees is my view into a wild area behind us.

  6. What magnificent photographs you take Donna! Everything is such a treat….Is that a male Goldfinch on the seed? I’m glad you are feeling positive about Autumn. Me too. It is my favorite season, that and the Indian Summer we’ve been having. The pumpkins are ripening….I’m roasting yet more tomatoes this morning. We will be on the East Coast for the next ten days and I’m looking forward to spending time in western Mass. and Vermont. Too early for leaf peeping, but your post gives me hope we may see some color! Maybe on the hillsides in the distance we’ll be treated to that look that reminds me of a Persian carpet: some greens and golds, a little weave of burgundy and deep burnt orange. I hope so.

    1. No pumpkins, melons and few tomatoes with our cool summer, but what can you do. I would bet, Susie, you will see some nice colors especially at higher elevations.

      And yes that is a male goldfinch. The females are already shifting colors to olive and the males will begin to change too.

  7. Those are beautiful photos and I like the quotes and poetry that you chose to accompany them. Even in this hot dry climate, there is a feeling of fall. It’s a time of year I always look forward to. There’s a coolness to the evenings and it’s the best gardening season of all!

    1. I agree Dorothy. Fall is when I do big garden changes and projects. So glad you enjoyed the post and wishing you a cooler garden season with some rain!

  8. I feel exactly the same… I can’t stop it happening and have decided to embrace it instead. After all, autumn is one of my favourite seasons, even if it does mean summer is over. There really is so much glory in it. Your quotes, as always are well-chosen Donna! I will also write a celebratory post soon to link up with yours. Thanks Donna.

  9. Oh wow, are the leaves already turning yellow? We have another month of summer here in London, and we certainly need that because August was pretty dismal, I hope you get a fantastic Autumn in your garden. Loved your photos, the sunset picture was a masterpiece 🙂

  10. Thanks Helene…yes autumn will be a bit early but I hope it stays a long time. We could all use some picture perfect weather. Raining buckets here at the moment.

  13. Your autumnal photos are gorgeous, and I love the quotes, especially the one by Ben Sweetland. Autumn is my second-favorite season, only just edged out by spring. Autumn for us really is a second spring, as plants are rejuvenated and many bloom again, even as others prepare for dormancy. I love the mellow colors and the mild temperatures. Winter may come as early as the first part of November, but other years autumn lingers well into December. We will see what is to be this year!

    1. Thanks so much Deb. Yes indeed we will see about the weather, but I am hoping for better garden weather…I look forward to the surprise blooms and cooler weather too.

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  15. What a beautiful welcome to fall. Last night I went walking and noticed the first fallen leaves and this morning it’s cool enough I turned the fireplace on to nudge the nip on its way. I can feel autumn in your post.

  16. I’m starting to accept that autumn will happen. It’s been a near-perfect summer (for humans, anyway), and I’m having trouble letting go. But then, I always do. I’ll be joining in the meme before the equinox. Thanks for hosting and collaborating, Donna!

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  18. Like you, I was less in the garden this year due to surgery. With the return of my strength (well, some of it) I can better enjoy autumn. I celebrated my garden’s wonderful bounty by entering flowers, herbs, and vegetables at our country fair again. Autumn is not my favorite season because winter is nipping at its heels, but I am heeding your words “There is so much to look forward to. To rejoice in…so many blessings to hold on to and remember. Abundance galore!.” Beautiful words, lovely pictures! P. x

    1. Thanks Pam…I know there are days I wish summer would stay longer. I am so happy that you linked in and I cannot get over how you enter so much each year. I look forward to your fair post!! I can’t wait to pop over and read it.

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  20. Autumn is arriving early this year, lots of leaves changing colour already thanks to the long hot dry spell back in July. I love this time of year, the soft golden quality of the light, the flower heads on the grasses, the rich colours of late blooming perennials. Plus it is the ideal time of year to move plants or add new ones! What’s not to love?

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    1. You are not late at all my friend. I am very excited to have you join in Tatyana. Thanks so much and I will add you to the follow up post on the 22nd.

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    1. Oh How wonderful you are joining in the celebration Shirley. I am popping over now to read your post and then link it in to the wrap up post going live tomorrow. Thank you so much for celebrating autumn with me.

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