Rainy with a chance of sun...

We are experiencing rain with intermittent sun...literally!

I told myself get outside while it's not raining and catch a few pictures! Everything always looks so pretty after a rain.

My grasses are topped out!

My flowerless Endless Summer hydrangeas on the right...healthy and strong...ho hum.. I will have to wait until next year for flowers!  The Limelight hydrangeas are doing just fine.  I'm going to be snipping some of their loveliness to enjoy indoors!

They are ready to bring in and start drying!

The ferns are about done.  They've been fabulous this year...and no that is not a giant snake...it's a hose!  Funny thing is it's a black hose with a soft yellow stripe and at times it does look like a snake!  

At the edge of the woods are some wildflowers blooming...one of which is responsible for my plugged up head right now- darn Goldenrod!  

The other is (Actaea) Baneberry or Bugbane...

I always thought it looked poisonous and after reading up on it I found out the whole plant is poisonous- the berries are the worst, if ingested. It can cause a sedative affect on the heart and cause immediate cardiac arrest! It doesn't bother the birds which are the primary seed disperser.  The Indians used the roots for pain for female problems in women.  Sounds to me like it would numb you!

I meandered towards the fountain area but from a different point of view and snapped a quick shot.  All the impatiens are heavily weighted with the rain.  The grass is loving it!

Everything is still green and growing. Doesn't quite look like fall yet does it!

Wouldn't you know the Sweet Autumn Clematis is blooming and it's raining!  I actually took this a few days ago...

This is it today! Copious amounts of flowers for a change! This is the best year for these that I've ever had..wouldn't you know it's going to be 

raining for several days!

See what I mean!  I had to share our forecast with you!

Not 10 minutes after I took these pictures it was dark and gloomy again! It's definitely intermittent today!

Just a few days more and it's officially fall!

Saturday September 22 to be exact!

My autumn display on the deck...love these crazy shaped gourds and colorful pumpkins!

How's the season in your area?  Any signs of fall yet?

First Fall Decorating

I've finally created my first "fall" project!  This weekend the road side stands had pumpkins, gourds and corn stalks for sale.  I didn't get the corn stalks yet because I had my car and needed something better to transport them in but I'll be back!

This is the rear entrance deck area which we use the most to come into our home.

I usually make some kind of arrangement here because we are the ones to see it the most.  I don't have a formal entrance- we have a side/front door but it's narrow, so this is my presentation area.

I used my rooster (Pier 1 Imports) that I have a welcome sign attached to now.  I tried to add some creative elements too...so here we go!

I added some fleur-de-lis elements too...Notice the fun shaped gourds I found! I was like a kid in a candy shop!

 I took this picture two days before I finished with everything.  I had leaves that had fallen on the deck laying about...we had winds last night the swept them away!  Anyway as soon as more leaves fall it will look better again!

Some pumpkins had a blueish tint and some a pinkish tint.  

This pinkish pumpkin was so perfect it looked like ceramic! 

I brought out my glass cloche and added a small gourd to it!  I'm thinking I should add something else but I haven't decided what yet. This stand I've got it on is vented so it won't build heat or retain moisture which would ruin the little gourd.

Behind it is another flower pot on a stand with a big mum that added a little more dimension to my design.

This is my view as I walk out the back door...

 Like I said I couldn't resist all the fun shaped gourds! 

I loved these flat white pumpkins....they had stacks of three different colors on top of each other that looked great too!  I already had the ceramic bird and I added the ribbon and the faux fall pick for a bit more enhancement!

 I hope you like my first fall decorating!

I'm linking with

Between Naps on the Porch for

Metamorphosis Monday
and
The Dedicated House for
Make it Pretty Monday

 
I was featured!  Thank-you Kathryn!

All Things Bright and Beautiful

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great  and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings. The purple-headed mountain, The river running by, The sunset, and the morning, That brightens up the sky;  The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun,  The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell, How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well. ~Cecil Frances Alexander Have a beautiful Sunday!

All Things Bright and Beautiful

I'm joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great  and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings. The purple-headed mountain, The river running by, The sunset, and the morning, That brightens up the sky;  The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun,  The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell, How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well. ~Cecil Frances Alexander Have a beautiful Sunday!   I'm working on my outside fall display!