and all the roses falling

 

On Saturday we went to our annual trip to Halloween on the hill. My husband and my daughter's beau had to work but all the other key players were there. 

My son-in-law and grandson had gone to the UConn vs BC football game earlier in the afternoon and came home just in time to leave for our pumpkin walk so I was thankful that they were able to be there. 

I am in the middle with the hat on, my daughter, Hannah, is next to me, and my daughter, Bonnie, is on the right. My grandchildren from left to right are, Abby, Verne, and Natalie. My son-in-law, Dan, stands on the left. 

We have such a great time doing this every year and it is so nice to spend time together!

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I have been knitting again after a long hiatus. I started out just knitting random squares and rectangles but I have a solid plan now. 

I am making a patchwork afghan. I like the idea of being able to port  a small square and knit it quickly where ever I am...not that I go very many places. 

Here are a few of the squares I've knitted so far.

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The weather has finally turned autumn-ish and the temps are falling. I have put my "viking blanket" on the bottom of my bed for the chillier nights. 

My cat, Tucker, loves that blanket! He normally starts out on the bed but then leaves in the middle of the night but lately he is still there when I wake up. He curls right up on the blanket.

He turned 9 in July so he's been spending more time napping during the day as well.

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I happened to notice that there were two little roses on my rose bush in the back garden. 

When we first moved here back before COVID my mother moved into the first floor and my husband and I moved into the second floor. She and I planted a beautiful garden. She was a very talented gardener and she did all of the design and I was mostly her worker. I happened to mention that I loved pink roses and she ordered a fancy one that we planted in front of my window. It smells absolutely divine when it's in bloom but it doesn't bloom for long. I purchased another one that blooms throughout the summer but doesn't smell as good. We planted them next to each other. 

We had a couple of very hot and dry summers after her death and my rose bush died. I didn't have the heart to get out there and water as much as I should have. It made me sad.

This year I purchased another rose bush to replace the one that didn't make it and my granddaughter, Abigail Rose, and I planted it together.

The last roses of the season always make me think of the song Danny Boy. My mother and I both loved that song and were moved to tears every time we heard it. 

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This is called a straw flower because it sort of dries as it is still on the stem.

They were hanging in the barn at the pumpkin walk. 

Both of my daughters recognized them and the three of us had a conversation about flowers and gardening.

My grandfather was a gardener, my mother was a gardener, I am a gardener (though I don't get out into the garden as much as I would like to anymore).

One of my Irish ancestors was a gardener for Charles Stewart Parnell! 

I love that both of my daughters have continued gardening in our family. 

I love to see that link from the past into the future.

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Friday fave fives