At the Pumpkin Patch

 

We had one last glorious sunny and hot day last week before it started raining and storming ...... for days. And although Hurricane Sandy did blow in to town, she didn't bring as much havoc to Southern Ontario as she did to the Eastern seaboard of the U.S.

It was on that beautiful sunny day that my Daughter and I took my Granddaughter out to a local farm to pick out the Halloween pumpkin. When you are two-and-a-half and you wake up from your nap in the car to see pumpkins everywhere, you really don't care if it's sunny or not. To say that Kya was excited is an understatement.

Kya running in the rows of picked pumpkins.

We are fortunate that there are several farms within a half hour drive that offer a variety of fruits and vegetables for sale or to pick-your-own. We headed up to Springridge Farm in Milton which sits along part of the Niagara Escarpment near Kelsoe Lake. There are wagon rides out to the fields but we kept the afternoon simple and ran with Kya between the rows of pumpkins. She played on the old farm tractor and visited the chickens.

If you live in the area this farm is open with more activities for the upcoming Christmas season as well. 

 

A pumpkin is a pumpkin is a pumpkin.............. not really.

Cinderella and Knuckle Head......... there were no Prince Charming pumpkins.

Kya was fascinated by the 'bumpies' on the knucklehead pumpkins.

The farm has a big gift shop with a healthy variety of seasonal items, and there is a large bakery and pantry with row upon row of canned fruits, vegetables and preserves. 

The view of the pumpkins looks a lot different to a small child standing on the ground looking up at the display on bales of hay. The over-sized 'giant' pumpkins caused Kya to run squealing 'Pun-kins Grandma, Pun-kins'.

Kya took a ride in the wheel barrel with her pumpkins to the car - one for Kya, one for Mommy, one for Grandma. And despite the curiosity, we left the knuckleheads at the patch.

'I love them all'

Happy Halloween.

What the storm blew in

Old Oakville looking out over lake Ontario

At the end of a warm and sunny day today, the weather quickly turned blustery with great gusts of wind. I wouldn't have been surprised to see Mary Poppins herself land in the center of town. OK maybe not, but it was a serious blast of wind that instantly changed the landscape of our neighbourhoods.

When the rain came down to a trickle Richard and I decided to take a walk to the lake.

An hour before there was only a trickle of leaves.

I now have a better understanding of the saying 'look what the storm blew in'.

Lawns and streets were carpeted in leaves that had fallen in great volumes from the strong winds. The definition from front walks to lawns was lost with the thick blanket of golden leaves.

Looking east towards Toronto.

When we walked to the edge of the lake there was a stunning glow of pinks, blues, golds and greys that meshed together. I love these moments when you stand in the middle of nature and feel as if you are looking at a priceless painting.

And as we took a few more steps ......there is was floating over the lake......... a stunning rainbow.

These pictures were taken with my iphone and don't capture the intensity of the moment. And well let's all be honest, when you are standing there looking at the sky after a storm with the glow of the sun peaking back in and a vibrant rainbow that reaches to forever, nothing can capture the real vista.

When I finally tore my glance away from the rainbow and started to move on, we discovered that the setting sun brought a glow to the west end of town that looked like a fire ball.

What the wind blew in to town tonight was a gallery of paintings by Mother Nature. And her artistic skill is truly priceless.

untouched picture from my iPhone

Change of Season

The landscape has become a jewel box. 

At every glance rich shades from the turning leaves creates a thrill.

It's official .... Fall is here. 

The change of season brings with it the joy of exploring new fashions to keep cozy in, 

and the revival of a few classic pieces. 

It may be chilly outside, but it's the season to look HOT!