The weather turned last night. Here in Western Washington it is offically fall. Just in time for my children to start school tomorrow. We woke to cool mist and a chilly breeze... when I looked outside the leaves were starting to fall right before my eyes. I feel honored to have witnessed the start of fall so aburptly, and so completely. Before I even got out of bed I grabed my down comforter and threw it on the bed. I will do the same to the kids beds today. The fans will be put away, and the sweaters will be put back in the closets. Cleaning and purging is starting.

Autumn has begun.

But first... my morning cup of tea. This time of year is my favorite to get outside with a hot cup of something...

and of course, my camera.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/bluerosemama/Garden%20Pictures/IMG_3147.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/bluerosemama/Garden%20Pictures/IMG_3163.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/bluerosemama/Garden%20Pictures/IMG_3159.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/bluerosemama/Garden%20Pictures/IMG_3149.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/bluerosemama/Garden%20Pictures/IMG_3171.jpg

You can see the dew collecting on all of my garden bounty. Soon the tomatos will ripen in earnest and I will have more canning and freezing to do. The summer bounty is finishing up, and it is time to start planting fall crops. The large harvest is nearly over. There is a bittersweet part of me that will miss summer, but my favorite season is fall by far. As Mother Nature gets ready for her rest in winter, she sends to her children this beautful aray of color that nothing can truly duplicate. It is like the last of the Independence Day fireworks where they go out with a bang and a huge display of color explosion. It is a gift I look forward to and cherish each year.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/bluerosemama/Garden%20Pictures/IMG_3154.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/bluerosemama/Garden%20Pictures/IMG_3168.jpg

Ah yes... I do love fall.

Beautiful!

School started here this morning. My boys went off to school with grins on their faces, which does my heart good.

I've got a big pot of turkey and rice soup simmering on the stove, and I'm going to bake some cookies for an after-school treat. :)

Beautiful.

Beautiful.

Beautiful.

Thank you for sharing.

Very uplifting and I admit...I'm jealous! It's still in the low 80s at midday here. :(