Whiff of fall?

I can never resist these monster mums that Costco sells in September for only $12.  If you pick one with tight buds, they last for weeks and look so pretty and fall-like on the front porch.  Although I have to remember water it every couple of days, since they're so big and the pot is mostly roots. A giant, wilted mum is a sad sight.

Yesterday was probably our last 80 degree day of the year. And on Sunday, we might have the first significant, widespread rain in over 3 months.

Of course I'm happy about that, except as luck would have it, we planned a weekend trip to Victoria, BC months ago, back when it seemed it would never rain again.  We're taking the Clipper up early Saturday morning and go to Butchart Gardens in the afternoon.  After that,  I don't care if it rains on Sunday-- there's always the museum and all kinds of indoor tourist attractions.  Like shopping.

Well, time to get in gear.  I decided to make a last batch of tomato-pear chutney this morning with all our ripe Romas.