Halloween 2011

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the infamous Halloween snowstorm that dropped 28.4 inches of snow on Minneapolis-St. Paul. I remember I left my wallet at work and was stuck without any access to cash and credit for a few days. The lesson I learned? Don't carry all of your credit cards in your wallet.

Zapped In the Front Yard Too

The hard frost got the impatiens and sweet potato vines that have held on the longest because they are closest to the house.

Zapped

A couple nights ago we had a hard frost and the impatiens are pretty much done in. The pot you see here is pretty close to the house and the flowers closest to the house look okay and the ones on the outer edge of the pot are gone. All the other impatiens in the yard are dead.

Pretty Fall Leaves

Took this photo a few days ago on one of my walks. This shrub is on a neighbor's blooming boulevard and I found the leaves to be very unique looking.

A little bit of rain last night. Would be nice to get a little more. Thankfully I've been really good about watering this fall.

Jim and Megan's Silver Maple

Jim and Megan's silver maple is pictured on top. Compare it to ours on bottom. Theirs always hold onto its leaves longer.

Watering

While Dale raked I worked on watering. I think this is the best I've ever done as far as keeping the gardens moist before the first heavy frost. Dale suggested keeping the trees watered as well. Above is our backyard pine getting a soaking.

Bagged More Leaves Today

Dale did some more raking and I helped with some of the bagging. We filled up four more bags today.

Our Silver Maple

Our front yard silver maple. Most of the leaves are off.

Those Wicked, Wicked Squirrels

They're lucky they're cute.

The Sun's Getting Lower and Lower in the Sky

Photo taken today at 5:42 p.m.

Gorgeous Fall Day Today

Another sunny, cool and beautiful day.

Gorgeous Fall Day Yesterday

It was sunny, cool and beautiful yesterday. Lots of leaves bagged. Many annuals are still holding up. By the way, were just under 11 hours total daylight now.

Rain Today!

Yes, it actually rained today. Hard. It's about time. Also, within just a couple months there may be a snowmound blocking this view.

Squirrels Attacked My Pumpkin

Barberry Bush

Very pretty.

Deb's Addition - Painted

I didn't like the color Deb picked at first but it has really grown on me and now I love it.

Deb's Tree - October 2011

Deb's backyard tree as seen from our backyard. Photo taken Oct. 3.

Raking Leaves - Yes It's That Time Again

Yes, it's gotten to be that time again. Dale filled up around 7 bags.

This Morning

I enjoyed the mild temperatures this morning as I puttered in the yard.

Yesterday's Wind

Yesterday's wind brought down a lot of leaves. I noticed a big difference from when I left for work in the morning and when I came home in the afternoon.

Silver Maple

Looking much more yellow.

New Mums

Just bought these at Bachman's the other day. I really love the color.

Barberry Bush

The barberry bush is starting to show some pretty colors. Eleven hours and 29 minutes of daylight today.

Silver Maple

Record high of 88 degrees today. The leaves on our silver maple are looking even more yellow.

Julie's Pumpkins

The big one still hasn't been harvested.

Golden Mums

It was supposed to get to 80 degrees today. According to the weather app on my cell phone it says that the current temperature is 82!

Fall Colors

The above photo was taken on our street near our house on Sunday October 2, 2011.

Silver Maple

Some of the leaves on our silver maple are starting to show signs of changing.

St. Croix River

Okay, not quite the back yard but the colors were beautiful! My friend Mike took me out on his boat on the St. Croix River yesterday.

Grasshoppers

Gorgeous fall day today. Saw quite a few grasshoppers.