The state tree for New Hampshire is the White Birch, and a beautiful tree it is. It shines during the winter when the deciduous trees have shed their leaves, and the beautiful white bark is left open to admire.
The fall show, however, belongs to our many Maple trees. They are the trees that draw oohs and aahs from both residents and visitors.
Our many Maple trees show off their colors in the fall and then in the spring they gift us with delicious maple syrup. Win – Win. 🍁
Hope this Monday finds you safe, well, and enjoying the last of September.
I’m off to a plant potting party this afternoon with a few MGs so we can overwinter plants for next year’s plant sale.
What are you thinking optimistically about? Got you thinking, don’t I. 🙂
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
Your fall colours are absolutely stunning!
While it should be a time of sad reflection as vegetation dies around us and we have the knowledge that another long cold winter is ahead, nature made this time of year a visually spectacular celebration instead. Nature is wise 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t like cutting back all my perennials, but if I lift my head from that task, I can smile at that red Maple right in my backyard. 🙂 You are right – Nature is wise.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m in a funny vacuum right now in terms of prepping the yard for winter. We are planning a major renovation of the pool area next spring which will result in the entire back area of plants getting ripped out (shhh – I haven’t told them yet). After years of trying to keep this area semi-presentable, I have mixed feelings.
I think I’m going to try and save the sedums though and move them to another place – in the spring 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
No, don’t tell them, they won’t be able to rest. You need a holding bed to put all your goodies in so they don’t get pitched. Or, if you want them gone, I bet a local garden club or MG group would take them off your hands. I can’t wait to see your new pool project. You’ll be floating around in paradise. I hope it is even more beautiful than you imagine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love seeing the fall colors, and the maples do steal the show. That plus syrup, truly a win win. Your colors are a little bit ahead of us, so thanks for the sneak peek.
I am optimistic about 2021 – I know it might be a slow road back to normal, but I thin we will get there.
Good luck this afternoon, and I hope you have a great week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is easier on the mind to think positively about 2021. I agree, it is going to be slow, but we can sure enjoy all the little successes towards a day of less mask wearing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely stunning! 😮 We have a maple tree on the green outside our front window … but it is much lighter than the dramatic red in your photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope your Maple turns a lovely shade of gold, orange or red. Any of those colors are much appreciated. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, wow. Thank you for this glorious start to my day, although I was in danger of swallowing my entire coffee cup as I scrolled down to view that red tree — that’s a maple? What a show!
I love your question about what I’m thinking optimistically about because it did make me stop and scratch my head. That’s a stumper. But I think I do find optimism when I think of my grandchildren and other young people I’ve seen and heard. Good heads, good hearts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We, Granite Staters, take our Maple trees seriously. 🙂 That red one is in my backyard, and it is always the first Maple on the property to turn. Love it. 🙂 Yes, young people and good heads and good hearts – I like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
NO!! That incredible blast of red is right there in your yard? How awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post brought a smile to my face with these beautiful fall colors! There’s no fall colors where I live so I really enjoyed seeing yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I forgot to answer your question. I am feeling optimistic that we are slowly going to get back to doing more social things again. I know many people who have traveled safely, even cross country, with no problems.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you’re seeing positive things too. We’re sure hoping to get to South Carolina this winter, but we’re watching all the numbers to make sure we keep safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Judy, I hope you will be able to make your winter trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The heat, humidity, and drought have been ugly, but these fall colors have been brilliant. Glad they brought you a smile. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow. You have quite a show this year! Are colors are very early, likely due to the drought. Finally, some rain today! I’m thinking optimistically about my weaving and sewing projects this winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you got some rain. We got a few drops last night, but we have our fingers crossed for some ‘rain’ tomorrow or Wednesday. I can’t wait to hear about your sewing and weaving projects. My imagination goes wild just even thinking about your potential projects.
LikeLike
You have us beat by a mile when it comes to trees changing color. Really hasn’t begun here. Your red maple should be featured on a magazine cover! Just stunning.
I’m thinking optimistically about 2021 being the year we see Covid-19 non-existent, or almost non-existent. I’m trying to be very optimistic about our upcoming presidential election and that Trump will be “former” President Trump! And I’m determined to think optimistically about my current health status.
Have a wonderful time at the plant potting party. Try saying that 10 times real fast!
Ginger
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always stumble over saying plant potting party so I’m glad I’m not alone. 🙂 I raise my glass and cross my fingers and toes that we see a vaccine. I really hate just being near another human being and being afraid. I am looking forward to the day, I can see the other person’s face, smile, and wish them a good day instead of staying 6′ away. Stay well. 🙂
LikeLike
Yummy red. If only didn’t lead directly to winter …. feel like summer needs a do over. I’m going to ask for a refund. 🦋🍃🌴🌳🌲
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVE that! Yes, let’s get a refund on 2020. 🙂 Best laugh all day, so thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anytime! Big hugs for Tuesday. xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, those maples! They sure lift gloomy spirits. As a worried optimist, I live in hope that this country will get back on track.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you have a good combo there – worried optimist. 🙂 2020 had brought us several topics including one with deadly options to be worried about, and that’s hard for optimists.
LikeLike
Sure is! Good think I’m a worrier as well as an optimist. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have beautiful maples here too but the contractor who originally built the development 30 years ago planted Norway maple street trees which turn a dirty brown in the fall. What was he thinking. Oh yes, he was thinking he could get those cheaper.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, that is not fair! Red maples trump any other maples. Yes, what was he thinking. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The third time is a goal that I finished a replay. The smoke is almost gone. On a trip through the many of the trees are turning yellow. At first, I thought early an early fall but we haven’t a frost yet. I even had yellow leaves on a couple on my indoor plants. I realize that it chemical damage to the smoke. Have stress free day and a fun relaxing week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad the smoke is almost gone. Those fires have been unbelievable to even watch on the news. I can’t imagine what they are like being closer. You have a good week too, and I hope the plants and trees are able to cope.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just beautiful! And mostly because of you, I identify New Hampshire with these stunning displays of vibrant color (and the swarming line of tourist-ing “ants” that crawl in to see them! 🙂 ).
A vivid memory of mine is looking out an upstairs bedroom window of my childhood home at kids walking to school under a striking street long archway of pure blinding yellow maple leaves. I couldn’t wait to join them, so I must have been about four. Sadly, all those trees are now long gone.
I’m optimistic because both local families of mine are schooling their kids virtually and my services are direly needed at least once a week to keep three year old little brothers from disrupting their Zoom meetings! I love the planning and the posting about my adventures with them. We have so much fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can visualize that archway, and I can only imagine how much you wanted to follow along. I loved your dinosaur post and could imagine how excited they are to see you arrive with your supplies for a new fun adventure. I saw my ‘little guy’ yesterday, and i’m looking eye level at him right now, but I’m guessing pretty soon he’ll be patting me on the head as he gets even taller. No matter how old or tall grandkids get, we still love them with a full heart.:-)
LikeLike
Visiting USA in September/October has become a habit until this year. 😦 Thank you so much for the beautiful photos to remind us of Maple beauty.
We have just planted 100+ bulbs in a newly designed border in hope of a beautiful show in the Spring. We’ve put some evergreens in there too and some winter flowering pansies so that it is always pretty!
Stay well and happy and safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by. 🙂 Your landscaping project sounds lovely, and will keep you smiling right through to spring. Best wishes to you too.
LikeLike
We just don’t get those rich maples around here. So glad you shared those to get me in a fall mood!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just taking a day at a time. The maples do bring a smile and a sigh. Love them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel optimistic about a beautiful autumn to come!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fall is the best time to be in New England! Your lovely photos show what justly makes our little corner of the world famous. Watch out for those leaf-peepers! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve wanted to go north to check a family cemetery for potential upkeep that might be needed, but have been putting it off until some of the leaf-peepers are headed home. 🙂
LikeLike
I enjoy your autumn colours every year and your trees are just magnificent. I’m optimistic about an improved 2021, because this pandemic didn’t come with a script and 2020 has been a steep learning curve on managing it for the whole world. I think we’ve got more ideas now about keeping safe and well during COVID-19 & hopefully getting closer to a vaccine.😊🤞😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Up until 2020, I thought we’d seen quite a bit in our lifetimes, but we sure had a hard lesson to be learned. I’m with you though, I’m thinking things won’t go back to the way they were, but I’m hoping we find a new normal that we can all learn to live within. When there’s a vaccine, I will be one of the folks in line. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You get a plethora of oooooh’s, and ahhhh’s from me, Judy. I do love seeing these, especially now that we don’t have anything like them around. What do I think optimistically about? That October will bring cooler temperatures, especially at night. That will be a joy for me!! I think I may be able to take a trip to Illinois to visit friends at some point, which will be quite a delight. (I’ll drive.) I’d like to be optimistic about the Dallas Stars winning the hockey game tonight and taking the Stanley Cup finals to the seventh game, but we’ll see. 🙂
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
You will be laughing out loud as your temps level out and we start freezing and shoveling. 🙂 I had to look it up, but I’m sorry your Stars didn’t win yesterday. I hope you get to go back to IL for a visit with friends.
LikeLike
Tampa Bay was definitely the better team and it was excellent hockey, so I didn’t really mind. The Blackhawks would have been my team but they went out in the second round. However, the next season will start soon and hopefully I can catch some games then.
I know in winter everyone will envy us, but I do like winter as well. Wish I could have a bit of it as well as the Arizona “winter.” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
While we don’t have many fall colors around here, there are liquid amber trees here and there that provide a stunning show for us starting about now. How lucky you are to have both the amazing colors AND maple syrup!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you have your own fall show. I looked them up, and they are very pretty. The maple syrup is definitely a bonus that all New Englanders love. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! What amazing color! Your trees are bringing everyone joy. We all need it! Thanks Judy! Happy day to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy day and week to you too, Nancy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, so beautiful! One day we’re going to be in your part of the world at the right time of year to see these glorious colours. For us, our immediate future is all about our new grandbaby, not long away. We’re looking forward to meeting him/her so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grandparenting – best job ever. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not much longer to wait now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, your maples are gorgeous! I love the reds and oranges. Here in the western region, we have mostly yellows. We put in a Hot Wing maple last year about this time and it’s not doing too well at the moment. I hope it survives! It’s not as red as we hoped it would be and it’s got some sort of blight. 😭 I don’t think trees like our front yard. Thanks for sharing yours! I love seeing the reds even if it’s just in photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The reds have been truly vibrant this year, and I’m happy to share. 🙂 Things like disease, pests, weather, and maybe smoke, sure make establishing a new tree a real challenge. I hope your new tree makes it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Us too! The tree that was in the same spot when we bought the house died. The nursery replaced all the soil and put the new tree back in the same spot. Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea? Fingers crossed it lives!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am thinking optimistically about how Christmas this year will be simple and pure and easy. A pleasant low-key affair. Yep, that’s my positive take on what will be.
Your maple trees are gorgeous. Ours still look like the end of summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you definitely have Christmas figured out this year. My husband and I had chicken pot pie for dinner tonight and laughed that the two of us will probably be having a similar meal for Thanksgiving this year. 2020 is definitely not going to be a year we’ll ever forget. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely stunning color. I love maple trees and have sorely missed their presence living the past 20+ years in the west. Nature sure knows how to put on a show! 🍁🍂🍁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You bet – Nature has us beat hands down no matter how hard we try. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I won’t be chasing leaves this season, so thanks for the show. That red maple is a stunner. I am optimistic about travel and look forward to the day we feel safe enough to fly again. We are pushing the boundaries a little, but still being cautious. I do hope you will not miss your annual snowbird trip to the south.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want to be able to fly again too, but I keep thinking about how it will be when you’re about halfway to your destination and someone has a cold or allergies and starts sneezing. The way people are handling this I could see mass confusion at 35,000 feet. 🙂 I think for right now I’ll keep hoping for a car trip to SC. 🙂 Enjoy your trips to the beach and your amazing photos while you wait for your travel plans to kick in.
LikeLike
Oh, gorgeous! We don’t have much fall color around here as of yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you get some, but you are lucky to have all that color right in your gorgeous gardens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good lord, those beautiful colors! I don’t say this much, but sometimes I really do live missing up north (“shhhhh!”). 🙂 – Marty
LikeLiked by 1 person
Come on up, we’d love to see you. Bring your gloves, a rake for the leaves, a container for the pine cones and acorns, and a shovel for the snow. 🙂 What? You’re not coming after all. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
love your content! keep up the great work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! North American maples are my favorites! (I rather dislike the overly trendy Japanese maples though . . . . which are the only maples that are popular here.) Not many of the maples do very well here. Almost none are grown farther south, although silver maple can do reasonably well away from the coast. However, red maple is a good street tree for the Santa Clara Valley, and happens to color reasonably well in a mild climate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never get tired of seeing the beauty of the maple trees in all their fall glory. We used to have a large Japanese maple by our front porch that was outstanding. When the leaves fell, I would mulch them with my garden tractor and then it looked like beautiful orange and red confetti all over the ground. Thank you for sharing your photos. Fall was my favorite season in New Hampshire.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are really pretty this year so glad to share especially since you shared shrimp and grits. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person