Life In Robin's Nest: October 2023

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

October Joy

I don't think I can fully describe how much joy it brings me to see the fall colors in October. I usually drive around with a smile on my face, taking note of each colorful tree, and I never do get tired of this autumn show. I tour around my favorite parks multiple times, while taking pictures and trying to figure out exactly when it will look the very best. Some of the farther parks only get one visit, so I have to time those just right. This past week has been peak color in central Ohio, which was accompanied by absolutely perfect weather. It kept me busy all week, running from park to park. But that's okay, it's my favorite fall activity.

But first let's visit Robin's Nest itself. I have to admit, I have done very little gardening this month. Now that colder weather is headed our way, I really should get out there and start closing up shop, and plant my tulip bulbs. Some plants are done blooming, and some are putting out fall color. The vegetables are nearly gone, although we are still getting a few tomatoes and peppers, but that won't last much longer, heavy frost is coming soon. October is a month of contrasts. It's often summery at the beginning of the month, but by the end, frost has usually taken down most of the colorful annuals. This group is from early in the month.

At the end of the month, the garden looks more like this.

I did my annual fall color tour back in SW Michigan, but I tried going a little earlier, in hopes of better weather. Not only didn't I get better weather, I was too early for most of the fall color show! But I found pockets of colors to enjoy, and plenty of pretty beaches. Why visit beaches when it's chilly, you might ask? For the beauty of it all!

Tiscornia Park St. Joseph MI

Jean Klock Park Benton Harbor MI

Silver Beach St. Joseph MI

My favorite Michigan fall spots didn't disappoint. Even with only the early fall color, they were gorgeous.

Galien River County Park-New Buffalo MI

Grand Mere Stevensville MI

Hess Lake Baroda MI

Madron Lake Buchanan MI

Fernwood Botanical Garden Buchanan MI

St. Joseph River Buchanan MI

North Lake Stevensville MI

Grand Mere Stevensville MI

Grand Mere State Park MI

Early in the month, I began to visit the many beautiful parks here in Central Ohio, while I watched the fall foliage develop.

Glacier Knoll-Pickerington

Chestnut Ridge

Blacklick Woods

Chestnut Ridge

Fox Glen subdivision

Chestnut Ridge

Countryside views in Carroll OH

Blacklick Woods

Ellis Pond-Pickerington Ponds

After my trip to Michigan, I hurried to check on my home parks, to see if I missed anything. There was much to see, so I began to circle around to each beloved spot.

Blendon Woods

Chestnut Ridge

Blacklick Woods

Sharon Woods

Inniswood

Highbanks

Blendon Woods

Burning Lake-Pickerington Ponds

Slate Run

Dawes Arboretum

Chestnut Ridge

At home, I decorated my tray for October, finished crocheting a scarf, gathered a bouquet of zinnias, and prepared some goodies. Some foods are just worthy of photographing. I showed the scarf in progress last month, but now it's finished. I'm currently making another one just like it.

Veggie fried rice

Apple Cider muffins

Homemade applesauce

Canary zinnias

I don't have many local sunsets for you, but I did grab a few sunrises. I'm not a morning person, but before the time change, the sun comes up at the more reasonable hour of 7:45, which I can manage. I'm glad you stopped by to visit Robin's Nest, even though I was mostly on the road this month. Hope to see you back here at the end of November. Not sure what will be going on in Robin's Nest for the next couple months. Once frost comes to town, there's a lot less to see. But I'll figure it out. See you then!

Glacier Knoll-Pickerington Ponds

Silver Beach-St. Joseph MI

Ellis Pond sunrise-Pickerington Ponds

Sunset from Robin's Nest

Sunrise from Robin's Nest