The Perfect Fall Day

Well...I have to say this has been a lovely day. I don't think you could order a more delightful early fall Saturday.

It begins with perfect weather. A tad on the cool side but plenty of sun to keep you warm in the afternoon.

Next was a fruitful trip to my favorite garden store. I found the most beautiful Sparkleberry Holly for one of my backyard beds. I was so excited to make my purchase along with the necessary male pollinator to ensure we have lots of red berries in the winter. You would have thought I was a child on Christmas morning when I ran across those delicious plants in their inventory.

Then there was the time spent in the garden. Transplanting lilies, small trees and prepping the veggie garden for a cover crop...not to mention planting my new Sparkleberry and Apolo Winterberry hollies. Yum!

Top it all off with the perfect gardening afternoon break to watch NCSU beat ECU for their first win of the season...what a sweet victory to beat this arch rival. I'm hopeful this will give State the jumpstart they need to build momentum for the rest of the football season. Weren't our guys great out there today?! Katie had the pleasure of being in the stadium for the win. (I'm only slightly jealous.)

And finally, I get to go pick up the hubby from the airport tonight after a long week in Denmark. Such a nice, well-rounded late September Saturday. Amen.

Happy Birthday, Mr. "O"

Well...the garden has been a tough one to keep up with this summer. As determined as I start each spring, the weeds always seem to get the best of me by mid-July. I have however, put in a few fall plants...brocolli and cabbage so far. Kurt did a nice job of tilling the garden for me. Now I just need to get a cover crop down before the weeds take hold again.

To my delight the white lace vine that was so hard to come by has started it's blooming season. Beautiful white, lace tendrils are gracing the arbor. (I promise to post pictures soon.) The vine is the same specimen that mom and Don had at their home in Southern Shores. I'm very pleased to have finally found one and see it thrive on my back deck! I'm sure mom is happy.

I did spend some time in the yard today....got the whole lawn mowed, did quite a bit of pruning, weeding (I discovered it's much easier to pull weeds after receiving 5 inches of rain the day before), and spread a little bit of mulch. (Only about 5 more yards to go!) It seems fitting to have spent so much time in the garden today as I remember dad on his birthday. I still miss him as much as ever. My heart still yearns for one more conversation...one more telephone call...one more drive on the parkway...one more trip to the beach...one more hug. At least I felt his presence closer to me while I labored in the dirt.

Happy birthday, Dad! You're the BEST.