Late Purple Aster, November 26-27, 2013

Wildflower Wednesday

I think this is Late Purple Aster, Symphyotrichum patens

Late Purple Aster is native to the eastern United States, growing in zones 4 through 8.
Sometimes called Spreading Aster, it blooms from August until the end of October.

On the Natchez Trace Parkway near Cherokee, Alabama, October 20, 2013.

The small flowers consist of a yellow center surrounded by 15 to 25 purple florets.

Blooms are on short side stems that arise where the leaves clasp the stem.

Late Purple Asters grow in full sun or part shade, and provide late-season nectar for butterflies.

Outdoor Wednesday

Driving through Tennessee on October 30

We have had exceptionally beautiful Autumn color this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For more wildflowers, visit Gail at Clay and Limestone: Click Here!

For more outdoor photos, visit Outdoor Wednesday: Click Here!

Sunny Days and Frosty Nights, November 22, 2013

Pecan Tree

This week has been sunny, but with a cold wind blowing.
And on several nights we had below freezing temperatures.

Spirea

Many trees have lost their leaves, but a few plants are still holding on to their Autumn colors.

Limestone Bibb Lettuce

Just two words on growing lettuce in the Autumn: Mulch and Cover.
Lettuce does grow much slower in Autumn than in Spring, but it is good to have something still growing in the garden in November.

Have a Wonderful Week-end!

To check the weather around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

If you like the color ORANGE, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

To see what gardeners are growing, visit Veg Plotting for Salad Days: Click Here!

The Biggest Art Show, November 19-20, 2013

Outdoor Wednesday and ABC Wednesday
S is for the Sky

Monday evening, Monroe county, Mississippi, USA

The sky is the biggest and best art show - constantly changing, never two views the same.
The Heavens declare the glory of the Lord!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

For more Outdoor photos, visit Outdoor Wednesday: Click Here!

For more 'S' photos, visit ABC Wednesday: Click here!

A Frozen Bloom Day, November 15, 2013

Here in the northeastern corner of Mississippi, we have had two nights of below freezing temperatures. It was 27F on Tuesday night and 26F on Wednesday night.
These photos were made yesterday (Thursday morning).

Butterflyweed

The Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa, produced an amazing number of seeds in late Summer.
I am hoping to have a lot more plants next year, though I think it will take several years for them
to be old enough to bloom.

French Marigold, beautiful even with deadly frost

The Marigolds have been steady bloomers for months.
I will certainly plant them again in the Spring.

Pansies

Pansies are hardy here in the middle of Zone 7. You can expect to see their smiling faces for the December Bloom Day (unless they are covered with snow).

'Little Marvel' Peas

The seed packet says these garden peas are hardy to 20F. The weather forecast for the next few weeks is for milder temperatures, so maybe I will get a harvest.

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

To see what is blooming around the world, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens: Click Here!


For photos featuring the color ORANGE, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

Autumn Reflections, November 12-13, 2013

Outdoor Wednesday and ABC Wednesday
R is for Reflections

This small pond is on the Natchez Trace Parkway near Tupelo, Mississippi, USA

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

For more outdoor photos, visit Outdoor Wednesday: Click here!

For more 'R' photos, visit ABC Wednesday: Click Here!

Butterflyweed in November, November 10-11, 2013

November 1, 2013, Straight out of the camera

I was very surprised when the Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa, began to bloom again.
I wonder how it will fare when our temperatures go below freezing on Tuesday night.

Have a wonderful week!

For more SOOC photos, visit Straight Out Of the Camera: Click Here!

For more macro photos, visit Macro Monday 2: Click Here!

For photos with a little, or a lot, of yellow, visit Monday Mellow Yellows: Click Here!

A Carpet of Leaves, November 8, 2013

November 1, 2013

Last Friday we had beautiful blue skies and glorious color in the trees.

November 7, 2013

The same tree after Wednesday's wind and rain.

Now we have a crunchy carpet of leaves underfoot.

Have a wonderful week-end!

To see skies from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

To visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

Quick Pear Tart, November 5-6, 2013

ABC Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

ABC Wednesday

Q is for Quick Pear Tart

Quick Pear Tart

This my adaptation of a recipe I found on the Taste of Home Recipes website.
Click Here for Original Recipe

Quick Pear Tart

1 Store-bought un-cooked refrigerated pie crust
1/2 Cup sugar plus an additional teaspoon of sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
3 Cups peeled and sliced pears
2 Tablespoons sliced almonds
Honey or maple syrup, optional

Place pie crust in a 9 inch pie pan
Mix together the 1/2 cup sugar and the flour
Add sliced pears and stir to coat well
Place pear mixture in pie crust
Fold edges of pie crust up over the pears, leaving the center open
Sprinkle with the additional teaspoon of sugar
Bake at 400F for 25 to 30 minutes or until pastry is lightly browned
Sprinkle with sliced almonds and return to oven for 5 more minutes
Cool on wire rack. Can be served warm or cold.
Optional: Drizzle each serving with honey or maple syrup

Outdoor Wednesday

Okra bloom, November 1, 2013

Though we have had frost, the okra is attempting to produce a few more pods.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

For more 'Q' photos, visit ABC Wednesday: Click Here!

If you enjoy outdoor photography, visit Outdoor Wednesday: Click Here!

Monarch Butterfly November 2, 2013

Monarch on Butterfly Bush, Straight Out of the Camera

October 26, 2013

This is the only Monarch I've seen this year
It stayed only a few hours before going on farther south.

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

For more SOOC, visit Straight Out of the Camera Sunday: Click Here!

For the best photos of the week, visit Weekly Top Shots: Click Here!

McAlpine Lake, November 1, 2013

McAlpine Lake, Amory, Mississippi, USA, Monday, October 28, 2013

The trees are beginning to get their Autumn colors here in north Mississippi.

Cypress Trees

Zooming in on the trees, I think they are Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum. The term 'bald' refers to the shedding of their leaves. They are bald until new leaves grow in the Spring. They are common in wetland areas of the southeastern United States and inland along the Mississippi
and Ohio Rivers.

As for this week's weather, Monday, as you can see, was a pretty, sunny day. By mid-week we were under mostly cloudy skies, and Thursday was windy with rain all day.

Have a Wonderful Week-end!

To check out the WEATHER from around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

If you like the color ORANGE, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

And for more photos featuring REFLECTIONS, visit Week-end Reflections: Click Here!