this is the end, beautiful friend

Halloween has come and gone!  We concluded our 31 days of horror movies with "Rosemary's Baby" and some spooky homemade Almond Joy bites.

We went to a costume-optional Halloween party a couple of weeks ago.  We've gone multiple years and everyone always wears a costume...this year, it was just me, Todd, and someone's teen son.  I worked on my costume for a week (Puritan woman getting burned at the stake for being a witch):

I took ashes from the fire pit to smear on my face and arms.  Unfortunately, my hat and apron were more 'French maid' than Puritan lady, and at least one person asked me if my costume was 'dirty wench.'  Meanwhile, Todd threw his costume together day-of.  He went as a LEGO brick.  He cut holes in a cardboard box, used cut-off yogurt container bottoms as the protruding studs, and painted the whole thing red.  Since it was hard to eat while wearing a cardboard box, he took it off once we got inside.  Then it was just me and some teen in a costume.  Sigh.  Better luck next year!

Of course, Pepita participated.

Weather is still warm and sunny, with impossibly blue skies.

still so green!

So many "I can't believe it's November" moments, like when I found wild strawberries blooming in the yard.

Still, we're having some nice color.  This is our neighborhood, taken from the car with my terrible cell phone...

...and some trail pics.

And house:

lilac leaves...one of my favorite!  

We've had some insane sunrises.  These are going to look unnaturally enhanced...but they aren't!

Despite the advanced date, we're still seeing bees, butterflies, and other insects.

a clump of brown marmorated stink bugs

Berries are still everywhere.

from a couple of weeks ago...leaves have changed by now, but still berries!

Speaking of berries...these might be wild gooseberries or some weed that is some variant of a wild tomatillo, but I love them.  They grow in our side garden and I pick them every year in the fall.

After they dry out, they resemble tiny delicate lace cages.  They're so pretty!  

Even the morning glories on the porch are still going strong!

It's going to be near 70 today, but as Jim Morrison said, this is the end, beautiful friend.  The forecast by Sunday is 24 degrees and snow. It's time to set up Falafel's shelter and then hunker down by the fire.

Pepita approves.

Have a great week!