October and November are my fav months...because it is cooler outside (usually), because the kids are back in school (yeah!), the color of the leaves are lovely, and the garden is winding down (no more watering/feeding/weeding!) Also, we were married in November and I choose fall colors for my bridesmaids to remind me of autumn! There is still enough sunshine to keep the afternoons warm, but it depends on where you are in the garden. The back deck no longer receives more than a few short hours of light, and the back bed is in full shade all day. Washing can still go outside, but I have to get it on the lines before 9 am or it won't dry. But there is a cool breeze and I can sit in the shade with the dog and watch the leaves fall...terrific!
Halloween is a Sunday this year, so it may or may not be crowded. The past several years we have seen a decline in the number of trick-or-treaters, but this is okay. At our hayday in the late '90s, I would go through 15 HUGE bags of candy and then hunt through the kids if anyone came to the door after 9 pm. Last year, I had bags leftover, so my CCD kids were rewarded! Abby did "door duty" last year, but has hinted she may be up for going out with some of her friends this time around.
Thanksgiving may be small for us. Maggie can't come, if at all, until after Dec. 25th. Kate is working, so she and Tracy will be down on Friday to help us decorate for Christmas and then we will reciprocate by going up to them on Saturday. Wendy is "depressed" and doesn't want to come. Haven't heard from Doug. But I will still make a turkey, pies and watch the Macy's Parade, followed by "The March of the Wooden Soldiers" on tape. Good times....
Enjoy the color of autumn!
