There have been some delicious changes in northern Illinois in the last few weeks. As you can see from the top photo, the soybean fields have turned to gold and the wild prairies are sprinkled with purple and golden yellow. The purple asters are especially plentiful. Being “Miss Contrast” I love the purple petals with the orange/yellow centers which glow in the evening autumn light.
The sedum have their fresh colors on display, too, adding more pink to the overall color scheme
The native sunflowers are quite dramatic now as their yellow petals drop and the pregnant seedpod begins to look like our favorite felted beads blowing in the wind.
Greg has been planting Moonflower vines by the front door for several summers now and this season they have been taking their sweet time to blossom. They have spectacular twisted buds which anticipate the magnificent blossoms to come. They actually open in the night time and are so high on the vine that we can see them better from our second story bedroom. The large flat flower and skinny throat look like platters balanced on a stick or a delicate stemmed goblet.
You can see why we look forward to these dramatic blossoms! And to have them are the “end” of the season makes them even more precious.
Even as the flowers still bloom, the damp fall forest decay is following the traditional seasonal schedule. The variety of funky fungus shapes are amazing, especially after such a wet year.
These growths look like they were deliberately placed as lovely trunk ornaments or broaches.
I am forever overwhelmed by Mother Nature’s imagination.
Here are a couple of critters that also appreciate the recent rain. This tiny turtle was hanging out by the garden faucet. If you look very closely, you will spy a tiny snail clinging to his back foot. He looks like a pine cone with legs.
These little frogs like to climb up windows, even very high ones. Many nights this summer we had one of these little guys on our bedroom window, stalking bugs that were attracted to our reading lights.
This long environmental report is due to the fact that my new line was delivered unexpectedly late on Sept. 10. Needless to say, I dived into it early the next day. Since then I have made four quilt tops and one back. Poor Greg only sees me when I get hungry and head up to the kitchen. But it is BEAUTIFUL and it is killing me to keep it a secret until Houston Market!
Happy 'first day of fall' to you!!!
It is a good thing that the outside world holds such beauty and interest at busy times likes this. I'm sure it is enough to tempt you to take a few outdoor breaks. Enjoy the feverish sewing and Market readiness!
Beautiful photos! I don't think I have ever seen a moonflower before. If they can grow in northern Illinois, perhaps it is possible in western New York!
It's killing us to wait, too!
Those purple asters are also my favorite fall wildflower!
Beautiful photos Jane. And I'm SURE the new fabric will def be worth the wait. 🙂
I love moonflowers! Every year I plan to plant them again, but forget. The fragrance is so hauntingly beautiful.
Those sunflowers are wonderful! I don't think I've ever seen any in Michigan. We're in the lower SW area, so it would seem like we'd have similar flowers. It's been so beautiful around here lately, fall is such a great time.
Jane, Those moonflowers are stunning and I just love the turtle and its little passenger. Such distractions when you have so much work to do… looking forward to the reveal of your fabric when you can, as we see so little of it in my part of Australia- supplier don't seem to want to show it to the local shops despite them asking suppliers to bring your fabrics when they visit.
Any suggestions of where best I should hunt to purchase some?
That's a little snapping turtle. He (or she) is adorable. What a great picture.
Loved all the photos but most especially your description of the “pregnant seed pods”. If that doesn't stir the imagination…
Lovely flowers and critters. Maybe some of them have provided inspiration for your new line? I can hardly wait, but I'm sure it will be worth it!
Your “Life Totem” is spectacular! Hope you make a pattern for us.
~Gayla OP,KS
Just seeing the moon flower photos brings to me their heady scent, and how magical they are that they open in the evening.
IS VERY GOOD..............................
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