This Week at a Glance

Sweater weather, hot drinks, and cozy nights. Hello, November.

And goodbye, daylight saving time. I’m still wrapping my head around a 4:51 PM sunset here in the Seattle area tonight. I loved the extra hour of sleep this morning, though.

Sounds like a good excuse to string a few lights indoors, don’t you think?

October ended as the second-driest on record in the Seattle area. The only drier one was back in 1895.

Then, two days before the month was over, it hailed. I did not see that coming, and it may be the end of fresh dahlias indoors.

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Inside, we’re enjoying the dried hydrangeas and the coziness of our warm fall cottage.

Our house is filled with mini lights and candles everywhere you look.

I’ve been on a sourdough kick lately.

And I have also bought most of my flower seeds for next year. It’s the earliest I’ve ever done that, but planning next year’s garden has me too excited to wait.

I’m still waiting for the rest of the seeds and a few more dahlia tubers to be shipped next week.

It’s hard to believe these fall greenhouse and garden path views will soon be all Christmas vibes.

The scarecrows will make way for Christmas trees and Santa.

Mums and pumpkins in the bike basket will soon be swapped out for greenery, pinecones, and berries.

So, before we say goodbye to fall, I pulled a few of my favorite outdoor fall photos from years past.

Wrapping Up the Garden Season

The garden is looking a little beat up this week, especially after the hail. But there are a few surprises.

We cut the daisies back at the end of July, and now this patch near the greenhouse is blooming again. Daisies were one of the last things I expected to see in November.

Most of the garden is winding down, though. The asters and mums are just about done.

But look at the rudbeckia I grew from seed. They’re not giving up yet.

You’ve seen the coneflowers I started from seed. They didn’t start blooming until the other echinacea around the garden began dying back.

Look at all the new blooms on this one.

A few of you asked for loofah updates, and here’s where things stand.

They’re still hanging on the arbor in the cut flower garden. I’d been following the mature vine method, which means leaving the loofahs on the vine until they turn brown.

But because I worry about a surprise frost, I’m switching to the green harvest method and cutting them down tomorrow. Then I’ll put them in the oven so the skins come off easier.

The geraniums are cut back and happy in the greenhouse, their home until May.

They’ll have company this year. I’m overwintering the calendula from the garden too.

I can’t wait to see how it does.

On the Blog This Week

My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week

You’re going to love Williams Sonoma’s Favorite Thanksgiving Dessert recipes.

This equestrian estate in Phoenix is gorgeous.

If you’re looking for new Thanksgiving dinner ideas, Half Naked Harvest has a Thanksgiving (make-ahead) menu and guide.

How to set a fabulous pie buffet table for Thanksgiving.

Here’s a great homemade apple cider doughnut recipe.

You’ll want to see how this New England home revival turned out.

Your guide to the coziest Christmas cocoa bar.

Coming Up Next Week

Wishing you cozy evenings, an early sunset worth lighting a candle for, and a garden that still has a surprise or two left.

Until next time,