Autumn Palette

These are the first mums I have used this year, and they really make me feel that fall has arrived.

I grew up in rural New England, (aka The Land of Many Farmstands). I remember one in particular, an old wagon that was filled with potted mums at this time of year. Oranges, reds, yellows, purples... those saturated, yet slightly subdued colors that mums seem to have mastered..... yes, mums make me think of autumn, and of my mum :)

And then there are the maple leaves- it seems I can't make anything these days without adding maple leaves of one kind or another...

I'm particularly fond of the little ones- these came from a Coral Bark Maple tree.

It is crazy how much color is here now- everywhere I look the trees are bursting into full display, and as the frost has yet to arrive, all the Dahlias, Sunflowers and Zinnias of summer are still blooming. It's hard to believe how much the frost will change things... for now I will just enjoy this amazing time of year, with color pouring out from every single corner of Seattle...