The Last of Fall

So today is only the 29th of October and it has already begun to snow. We only got a little bit of snow here in Pittsburgh and it quickly melted right away with some rain, but I thought I should document the beautiful leaves before they all fall off the trees. I was on my way home from the Waterfront where I did some shopping and decided to stop in Schenley park and take some pictures. I only stopped at a small section; the beginning of the Bridle Trail and the top of the Schenley Oval but I was able to get some good shots of trees and the city. Enjoy these pictures and try to get outside and enjoy the leaves before they are replaced with snow!!

P.S. if you click on a photo you can see them all as a slide show!

It was these yellow trees that made me pull over and take some pictures.

I like the contrast of the circle of leaves around the trunk to green lawn.

Bridle Trail

Road going up to the Oval

Pitt's Cathedral of Learning

Downtown

When I got home I took some pics in my backyard

Campfire and Jack-o-Lantern

Halloween is almost here! This past Saturday night I went to a Pittsburgh Young Adulst (PYA) event in South Fayette where we had a harvest party. There was a costume contest (I was a black cat), hayrides in the dark, lots of yummy fall food, pumpkin carving and a large campfire. I enjoyed being able to get out of the city for the night and re-connect with nature; especially seeing some stars! Since it was dark by the time I got there, I didn't get any pictures of the great property. I did get some cool pictures of the fire and of my jack-o-latern when I got home, I named him Pumpkin Pete.
If you live in the city hopefully you will get some time to head out to the suburbs or country to see the stars this fall before the freezing cold really sets in.

Campfire: The front log looks like a wishbone

Pumpkin Pete

Glowing in the dark

Now he looks like he is wearing a hat

Candle inside

 For more information about Pittsburgh Young Adults click here!

A Weed or Not A Weed...

A weed or not a weed, that is the question. Corny I know but i couldn't help thinking it when I saw these beautiful flowers inter-tangled with my neighbor's bushes. A few houses done on my block there is a row bushes that I pass everyday on my way to the bus stop. Earlier this month I noticed that among the small green leaves large pink and purple flowers were blooming. I paused and tried to discover if the flowers were a natural part of the bush or the fruit of a viscous vine that had begun to take over. Not all of the bushes sported these flowers so I thought that they must belong to a weedy vine that had taken root along with the bush. But then I stopped to think; does it really matter if these flowers are supposed to be here or not? The bushes are beautiful with the large flowers weaving between the branches; adding color to a somewhat drab sidewalk. So I did a little research (google is my best resource!) and learned that these flowers are in fact a hibiscus and they do grow on bushes. Normally I have only seen hibiscus on trees which is why I didn't immediately think that they belonged. I am glad to learn that they are supposed to be there and am that my neighbors decided to add the bushes for everyone who walks pass to enjoy. Now that the weather is turning colder the flowers have begun to disappear but I am excited to see if them return come spring.

On the way to the bus stop.

Close up of a purple hibiscus

Pink hibiscus

What flowering finds have you discovered in your neighborhood?

Fall Flowers

I had the opportunity to go back home this weekend to help celebrate my niece's 4th birthday! Since Monday was a holiday Eva was off from school and came over to my parents' house where I was able to watch her. We had fun playing outside with Grandpa as he planted some more flowers and did some weeding.  The front yard is all set for fall with colorful mums and pumpkins. The leaves on the dogwood trees have also changed color and are now sporting their bright red berries.
Here are some pictures of my parents' front yard all set up for fall!

Orange mums were added to the hosta and butterfly bush to give some color.

Surprisingly the roses are starting to come back even after my mom chopped them all down.

Close up of pretty fall mums.

Some pumpkins my mom picked with her class on their field trip.

Purple flowers in the once herb garden.

My dad used oregano as a ground cover.

Changing leaves.

Dogwood tree with gourd bird house we got the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Close up of the leaves

These berries are really cute (except when squished on the brick underneath)

Hope you are a having a wonderful fall day!