That Time of Year

It's that time of year again.  The time I dread probably the most ~ leaf raking time.   I live in a beautiful old neighborhood with 80-year old oak trees lining the streets.  And you know in a neighborhood that old, there are lots of other trees and shrubs that add to the fallout.  

 images via feather your nest, my coloring book, bob vila, and girly me
I love my trees and I can't imagine living here without them as they  add so much charm and beauty to the homes. But ~ indulge me while I whine ~ I HATE raking leaves. I don't understand people who say they enjoy raking leaves ~ it's like people who say they love winter.  

 images via lulu's sweet secrets and media-cache   Leaf raking consumes every spare minute of any nice outside weather from October to Thanksgiving.  I am usually raking up the last of the leaves as I'm hanging the Christmas decorations.  It is a job I dread and I always  feel an immense relief when it is finished. I've tried every method of getting them to the curb for city pickup ~ from blowing, to raking, to mulching them up with the lawn mower.  There is just no easy way. ~ Now this is what I'd like to do with my leaf rake.  

image via ellenzee   Thanks for allowing me to have a pity party.  Now it's time to stop complaining and go out and rake since snow is in the forcast  :)