Lise's Ramblings

Which do you suppose came first, the burning bushes or the fire hydrant? Even if you aren't into gardening, these fiery Euonymus alatus (burning bushes) would have drawn your attention last week.  I spotted them on my way to work. And sure, I appreciated the splash of fall colour , but I also giggled. Perhaps the homeowner intentionally juxtaposed the plants with the fire hydrant. I would like to think that this is merely inadvertent humour to dabble my day with       AWESOME!

When you spot a few ornamental gourds, you may write them off as nothing more than misshapen, colourful fruit. But, seen en masse , those hordes of gourds will strike you as       AWESOME! Gourds at Balderston's Farm Market , Prince Edward Island

My bushel of Honeycrisp apples from Balderston's Family Farm (Prince Edward Island) Kah-runch!  Dribble, dribble, dribble.  After biting into an fruit, it's easy to get distracted by that tart or sweet taste, leaving nothing to stop juice from pouring down your chin, your wrist and your shirt.  If you've only sampled an apple or two so far this fall, then get out to your local orchard, farm or market to stock up on more fresh apples. During the other 10 to 11 months of the year, you'll pine for apples as tasty as the ones available now. Beyond the flavour, here are some added bonuses:  The selection of varieties (gone are the days when you could find only Red Delicious, Galas and Macs) No storage and no transport = minimal bruising Principal ingredients for autumnal comfort foods (Did someone say "Crumble" or am I fantasizing again?)  An abundance of apples adds up to       AWESOME! I favour...

Hiking in autumn can be extra special for more reasons than the splashes of fall colours . Yes, jaunts in parks and woods at this time of year also tend to: provide softer light for photography; present good views of wildlife as animals scurry about to stash away food for winter; involve slightly cooler, crisp air; and, be free of biting insects. If you're lucky, you may also find rare migratory sightings or experience the jaunt with someone special.       AWESOME!

Deep reds , golden yellows and bright oranges splashed across a Canadian landscape... Burning bushes Cranberries Sedum Maples Mums Sunflowers Rosehips Sumacs Berries on leafless shrubs Tamaracks Oak trees Virginia Creeper Apples Pumpkins and gourds       AWESOME!