Beautyberry bread

Gathering the berries. I used only the ones at the ends of the branches because they are the last to ripen.I robbed the birds!Many birds feast on our beautyberries (Callicarpa americana) including mockingbirds, catbirds, and cardinals.  So I felt guilty removing even one cup of their winter berry...

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More monarchs

A warm afternoon yesterday saw more monarchs nectaring on the big Buddleia, as they were heading south. These must be some of the last stragglers (I hope). By the weekend, temperatures look to be seasonally cold, and probably the first frost/freeze -- depending on the the lows.The first monarchs are expected in Mexico any day now....

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Waterfall magic

My gardening companion just received layouts for his upcoming book about waterfalls and wildflowers.  Woo-hoo- I'm so excited and proud for him (it takes DISCIPLINE and hard work and a lot of time to write books;  many, many hours over days, nights, and weekends, with lots and lots of work,...

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More fall views

A morning hike in the mountains of Western North Carolina:view beyond the fielddistant viewreflections on Bass P...

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Biltmore walled garden

view from terraceLast Sunday's visit to Biltmore included a visit to the walled garden, as well as a walk up to see the far vista from the terrace.the creativity with grasses, mums, and Mexican bush sage were nice, and way beyond the usualthe mums were the stars, but the interesting twists with grasses...

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Fall light

This is the first full week of clear, crisp sky we've had so far this fall.  The characteristically soft, hazy light of spring and summer blew away, leaving behind dramatically blue skies.We don't see this kind of blue very often in the southeastern U.S.  Today's walk felt different, almost...

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An amazing mushroom

I've never seen a mushroom that looked like this before (nor had my gardening companion).Its markings echo long-ago learnings about selective pressure around moths, and industrial Britain. (They became darker as coal ash polluted the air over a century ago).Nevertheless, this was an extraordinary-looking...

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