Welcome Fall

Kya at the pumpkin patch last year. Can't resist those knuckle-heads.

Welcome Fall.

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.

Pumpkin Patch

It's time to head out to the pumpkin patch and search for the perfect specimen to decorate for Halloween. Here are a few idea's to help make your pumpkin experience more than just a ghoulish carving.

Love the little second story windows.           via Martha Stewart

Tissue wrap pumpkins.                      via Martha Stewart

Easy to make and adorable. 

ghoulish ghordes

White pumpkins look sophisticated in every setting.

Simple, easy  & elegant.                     via Martha Stewart

For the adventurous pumpkin carvers................

Ultimate pumpkin carving by l'arte del lintaglio

Not all pumpkins are carved ...... some are painted...... and some are decorated with sequins, bows or markers.

via BHG

via BHG

Black markers and glued on gems transform white pumpkins.

Wrapped in black lace hosiery.

by Horchow

Ghoul faced flower pot.

This year in particular blue pumpkins are more readily available, and offer new creative ways to decorate.

via BHG

via Flickr

via Wallace Garden

No one knows the magic of pumpkins more than Cinderella. The converted pumpkin coach ride will always take you home........

Hallmark Magazine