A few weeks ago, we ventured up north to visit family, get a break from the heat and see some fall foliage. We weren’t disappointed. Abby and Maddy got to trick-or-treat with their little cousins in Leesburg, VA, and it was actually cool! Here in Florida, there is almost never the consideration of wearing a jacket with a costume, but they were definitely needed on Halloween night.
The break in temperatures was amazing, but what was really stunning was the fall foliage. Trees just don’t change color down here the way they do up north. The pallet of colors from green to yellow to orange to red was amazing and seeing trees midway through changing colors was something that I had never seen before. Each tree changes a little differently. We went to the air and space museum outside of Leesburg and went up to the observation tower where we had a view all the way around the area. Each mountainside was more colorful than the last.
As a little side trip, we made our way over to Charlottesville to visit Jefferson’s home, Monticello. We loved the house tour, but we were enthralled with the Jefferson impersonator that sat on the lawn and debated with guests as if he were actually Thomas Jefferson. It definitely took you back to the 1700s.
Of course, where I found myself the most at peace was wandering the Monticello vegetable garden. There were signs of recent frost and freeze, but many plants were still producing, and new winter crops were just being planted. It made me want to head home and till up my entire property to plant rows and rows of veggies. But not yet, I’ll have to wait for spring for that one.
Now we get to enjoy a little blast of cooler temperatures for a few days here in our area. Soak it in because you know that it won’t last. If you’re on Team ‘Christmas-as-early-as-possible’, then Christmas cactus and reindeer philodendron have arrived at the nursery. And of course, we’ve got lots of gorgeous flowers and shrubs to make your landscape beautiful for the fast-approaching holidays. These cooler days are perfect for getting out in the garden, be sure you find some time to enjoy it.
