seasons collide

We are having one of those weeks in autumn when the temps creep back up into the 80s, and it feels like summer again. The dahlias are still blooming, and the leaves are falling simultaneously. When I grew up, we called this “Indian summer”. I think today we call it “shoulder seasons”. Whatever it is called, these seasonal mash-ups where we can still have a taste of both seasons are some of my favorite weeks of the year. In Minnesota, our shoulder seasons are traditionally in late-May, and early-October. Cheers to big shoulders!

fall leaves with flower petal confetti

still catching up

We are at peak sumac color here in the Twin Cities. And we have a lot of roadside sumac. It is truly breathtaking out there. I have had these leaves–I am tempted to call them fronds–laying on my kitchen counter for two days, waiting for me to have time to play with them (I am still catching up from my events last week). So, I tossed them into this dashed-off composition without thinking twice. And, naturally, because I bypassed the inner critic in my haste, I rather like the loose results. A lesson I seem to need to learn over and over again.

staghorn sumac in October

after the party

Just popping in quickly. Still catching up after yesterday’s events…great fun was had by all!

yellow and red autumn leaves (amur maple and willow)

just one more

I seem to be ricocheting from one event to the another these days. I finish one, give myself a day off, and then immediately start prepping for the next. It’s not sustainable. I am going to have to make some changes. But first, one more event. While most of you are reading this over your morning tea or coffee, I will be teaching a Foraging & Flatlay Workshop to a dozen participants. Then at 4 PM, there will be a Happy Hour Open House (with a presentation by Mary Jo Hoffman) to celebrate the launch of a new collection of STILL based wall coverings (aka wallpaper). Just typing this up is making me a bit anxious, only because I am already so tired. The speaking and mingling doesn’t stress me. it’s simply the time and effort required to make it all happen that I find so taxing. Think of me while you sip your morning tea and stare out the window at the gorgeous low-angle light of October, and know that I wish I was there with you in spirit.

cattail in October (typha)

homegrown

These are oyster mushrooms that son Joseph and husband Steve spored for this spring. We are having a lot of luck growing mushrooms. We are having less luck harvesting mushroom. Our hard earned fungi appear to be both sustenance and objects of curiosity among the wildlife menagerie we have provided safe haven for. The other day, I walked past the patio door and four sheepish crane heads (I swear they actually looked guilty) popped their heads up simultaneously and every one of Steve’s most recent mushroom flush was decimated with pock marks…for what appears to have been no reason at all–just fun. These oysters did make it inside, and were sautéd with butter and served on sliced baguette. Delish.

oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)