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Sometimes, we live in an environment that’s rough and rugged, filled with scrub brush and cacti and the heat of the sun bearing down on anything and everything around us.

But, sometimes, we live in the land of the big sky and tonight was one of those nights. The sunset was stunning – full of gold and orange and an amazing hue of whisper-pale blue.

I can’t believe I haven’t posted in four weeks. I’m so sorry! At this time of year, my attention turns to holiday planning and company and “projects” (some of them actually garden projects!) I have had our trees all pruned and some cedars in the woods removed to help the oaks grow better. We got new mulch in all our beds for the winter (150 bags and it STILL wasn’t enough!) and the front walkway is sporting some lovely new snapdragons for a pick-me up as the winter starts to take its toll on our perennials. The BAD news is, that the new mulch and snaps attracted the deer. They came to look and sniff around, and in their inspection, they finally discovered the 5 lovely and delicate hostas that I’d planted two months ago. So, they had hosta salad for dinner one night a week ago — and now, all I have left are nubs! Too bad — I actually thought I’d pulled one over on them. Silly me!

In the Spring, it’s the warm sun on my face that inspires me to go out and stick my hands in the dirt, stirring up the first plantings of the season.

Now, the cool, brisk Fall air is invigorating me. Don’t you just love to have your doors open this time of year?

A trip to the garden center today netted me some weed block, some native Texas hardwood mulch, and some metal screening. Tomorrow, I’ll tackle the pointless job of putting some weed block in the new Big bed and putting down a light cover of mulch. I don’t know why I bother – the weed block really doesn’t block weeds, but I just can’t help but try. (I think I secretly like beating my head against the garden wall!)

Then, I’ll be cleaning out the gunk in the fountain out back and making a screen donut to try to keep the oak mess out of it — at least for a little longer at a time!

Sometimes I wonder how others view Texas when they come here to visit. Scrub and brush and dry, cracked earth as far as the eye can see for so much of the year. I’ve come to love and appreciate the state’s hearty nature, its “against all odds” stamina, and I find beauty in places I never would have dreamed.

Today, I saw the most stunningly beautiful sight. On South MoPac, near the wildflower center, in fact, are miles and miles of amazing ephemeral golden grasses that were all like waves in the wind today. Sheets of silk shimmered and caught the sunlight, and waved at me as I drove by. I simply couldn’t stop staring. I’m so glad I live here.

Winter seems to have blown into Austin! I think we got a double-dose of Summer this year, and truly just skipped Fall. My spooky hanging grove of goblins seems none the worse for the wear — don’t you know I put them out Sunday afternoon — JUST in time for the rain and the vicious storm that got me up at 4:30 a.m.

I can’t say the same for my plants. The new big bed is a little worse for the wear. I had an abelia pulled completely OUT of the ground – I literally had to replant it. And my tree and other abelia were being whipped mercilessly even this afternoon, so I had to find some quick remedies. Not sure how sturdy that stake is, but it seemed to help a little. And the chair is providing a little cage so that this abelia doesn’t meet the same fate as its neighbor did! Necessity …

More bloom day! A few more shots I got today in the nice sunshine. This is a hibiscus with a lovely yellow and magenta butterfly on it – kind of abstract….
Canna
Look at the dirt past the fence! That’s the new “wild” bed where we just cut back the 2 foot high weeds and I’m going to start planting agaves and Sagos! It’s a blank canvas — how fun! I got out there too late to catch the “before” weedy picture.. but this looks soooo much better…
Blue Daze
Hibiscus
Datura

I’ve missed Bloom Day! Well, not technically, since, being a night-owl, I’m still up and it’s only 11:12 p.m., but taking photos of things blooming in my garden is out unless I try to capture the Datura! Can I place a tardy post tomorrow? Will points be taken off? Will this affect my BPA (blog point average!)? I’ve been negligent and I’ve just looked at all the Austin blogs with their color and seasonal harvests and they are wonderful. Tomorrow, tomorrow, Scarlett!