Although officially it’s still fall, there are many days it feels like winter where I live. We are not yet at the point that the dogs are sticking to the sidewalks, but some days it’s pretty cold. Even the chickens at Codman Farm in Lincoln seem to shiver.
The snow we had a week ago froze into a hard and slippery crust, and we put on cleats to take walks. But what is going on with that yard? you ask. The pattern is the result of my husband’s wish never to use a leaf blower. He puts out a net, rolls up the leaves, and carts them to the town’s composting site.
I took a couple red and green photos on warm days, but they made me think of the holiday to come.
Hellabore uses any break in the weather to flower. So welcome.
In another picture, you see where someone made a child’s game with chalk. It was actually quite intricate, featuring a variety of tasks and awards for getting to certain squares. A more elaborate version of hopscotch.
Most of the other photos speak for themselves, but the lovely dove design is by artist Kristina Joyce, a commission for one of her clients. That photo is followed by a painted door from one of the Umbrella artists.
The last two pictures were sent by Stuga40 and were taken on walks in Stockholm.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Such fun to see pictures of your surroundings! What I’m using to deal with leaves here in Cloverdale, California is a device made by Portland Inc. called a “leaf blower, vacuum and mulcher” which blows the leaves into a corner of the yard, and then the nozzle is replaced by a bag, and the inlet is fitted with a suction tube which you use to vacuum up the leaves and shred them and blow them into the bag. The volume is reduced about 80%, and then the mulched up leaves are dropped into the compost bin. It is electric powered, so you need a long extension cord. Cost is under $50 at Harbor Freight.
Terrific tip. It’s the noise from standard leaf blowers that we really hate.
Nice collection of images. The icy snow is not my favorite but it looks more seasonal now.
I know. If given my druthers, I’d rather have winter in winter, no unnatural warming.
What a pretty place you live in! The witch sign made me smile.
As we know, some witches are good, but
They are indeed!