Hello Hive and welcome to the weekend. Hmm, for some the weekend is already on the homestretch but here it is still Saturday and in a little while we'll be going on another bike ride.
For the past two weeks we have had the most beautiful late summer weather. And it continues today, the last day of summer 2024. Tomorrow is the official beginning of fall. It has been sunny, dry = not humid, warm but not overly hot with a max of 30 °C/ 86 °F - just nice. An invitation to go outside and enjoy nature.
We took a few bicycle rides in a park and also around town. And while I always take my phone (for emergencies) in the saddle bag I hardly ever stop to take photos. It happens on occasion. Other times I took walks around the neighborhood. It is always amazing to see how nature changes with the seasons. I love witnessing it both in spring and in fall.
Speaking of, I was amazed to see so many leaves already turning yellow and red, tons of them are already on the ground, too. This seems really early this year. It is only September after all.
A lot of my weekend time, when not out-and-about, I spent on our little balcony, typing or drawing. In summer it is too hot most of the time to do that and at night we get eaten by mosquitos but right now - perfect.
So here I am spending some weekend time on the balcony typing away this post looking at the flowers you will see in a moment.
In spring every year hubby puts a planter up with some bright blooming flowers to brighten our view. The past couple of years we had varieties of this purple one in a darker tone and also white. They are very pretty and bloom all summer. I'm sorry but I have no idea what they are.
This year he tried something new, a geranium which is supposed to keep bugs, mosquitoes away. I'm not sure if it works but it certainly bloomed really pretty. Such a bright almost velvety looking red, especially against the green backdrop. When he brought it home and planted it we weren't sure if it was going to make it. It was really straggly looking. one big stem and - look at it now.
During the week I even spent time on the balcony eating my lunch which is really awesome. Then after work I would try to sneak in a walk before it got dark. Have you noticed how much earlier it gets dark these days?
Below photo is the first one this season that I took of a red leaf. I was on my evening after-work walk and the sun was already pretty low. Perfect to get some back-light on the leaves and lots and lots of bokeh background.
I hope you have been enjoying the last summer days as much as I have and still am. I know most people look forward to fall but I really like summer especially the early and late summer days. So I'm a bit sad that it is getting cooler (and darker) now. Of course, fall and winter have their good days too but - I love summer!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Till next time!
Cheers,
(Ocean)Bee
The red leaves and flowers look awesome! How long did the summer last this time? I’ve read in some countries, the winter had longer days than usual when it’s supposed to have ended already.. or something like that. Has something to do with climate change I think!
Thank you!
In my opinion, we had a really awesome summer this year from late May to now, still going though officially it is now fall. But we still have 25°C today. We'll see how winter will be. Last winter was a joke around here, no snow, nothing. Not too far away from here was hit by maybe one storm during the winter months. So, yeah, definitely climate change.
That sucks, hopefully not extreme changes cos it can be potentially dangerous I guess.
Sad that it’s officially turning the leaf over to fall but it’s a welcome change. It’s fair season! The farm events all over the place are one of my most enjoyable times of year. They have all kinds of excellent food and things like that.
As for bugs and plants - plant some smelly herbs! Lavender, basil, and one other one that slips my mind all help, supposedly, with keeping mosquitoes at bay. Give it a whirl, if nothing else you get fresh herbs!
True, fall has its nice sides, too (just not all the pumpkin spice craze everywhere)
We do have basil (and rosemary) in our front, the balcony only gets a sliver of sun during a brief time window per day, so unfortunately not good for basil. We used to have mint in with the purple flowers, you know how mint usually takes over everything? And in prior year both of them fought it out equally, this year the mint gave in and died.
Huh, it seems I'm going to have to fill the terrace with geraniums.
Looks like a relaxing weekend, surrounded by flowers. They are great company indeed.
Think of your blog readers and stop to take some pictures on the bike rides hahaha... cheers!
Lots of mosquitoes around you, huh? Nasty, bloodsucking little buggers!
It has been a nice weekend thus far and is continuing strong. And you know what? I actually did get off my bike yesterday and took a few photos - LOL