Happy Birthday to Stevie!

Today my hubby turns 61. We a fun Stevie-day lined up. I’ll be busy all day. So while I ought to grab the opportunity to write a nice paragraph about the symbolism of the circle, including wedding rings, I will refrain as my time is mostly spoken for today. ❤️

staghorn sumac leave (Rhus typhina)

sumac for the win

My neighbor down the street has a little patch (maybe a dozen) of staghorn sumac trees on the boulevard. It is not in full sun like all the roadside sumac. So, its fall colors are always a little different than the other sumac: More oranges and yellows, less red. Every year, I eagerly await its changing. This year it did not disappoint. All these leaves were from that small patch. Simply spectacular.

staghorn sumac leaves in peak fall colors (Rhus typhina)

it’s all about leaves for a week or two

As we say here in Minnesota “it’s ruhl pretty out there right now!”

unidentified leaves from a landscaping bush at my bank

there is a nip in the air

Here’s a blanket for you. I made it today, so we can sit together on the deck for a few more days, before the cold chases us inside until spring. It’s sort of like those old crazy quilts that were made of scraps. Remember those? A sumac crazy quilt.

Staghorn sumac leaves in mid-October

in am autumn mood

Today marks our return to autumn after a mini-reprieve that had temps hitting 90 degrees F on Sunday. While most of us seemed to be able to get outside and enjoy our few extra days of summer, I think everyone is also equally ready to (now) settle into sweater weather and hot cider. This composition is pure autumn vibes to me. Bring it on, I’m ready!

fall leaves (black walnut, smokebush, sumac) and three crabapples