Day at the Pumpkin Patch...

The Family has been going through a rough patch lately (something I'll share a little later), so I decided that we would take a little trip to a Pumpkin Patch in the next county.  It's a Pumpkin Patch we visit every year, and though we had discussed not going this year - I felt the Family was entitled to a fun day trip.

Plus, what better way to pick out your pumpkins for the holiday season?

I love this Pumpkin Patch's attention to details.  They have fields full of pumpkins and, for the less adventurous, pumpkins ready for purchase.  No slogging through muddy fields.

They even provide little details such as recipes you can make with their pumpkins.  I admit, I haven't used any of the recipes.  Quite frankly, I love the look of pumpkins but I don't like the taste of pumpkins (or the smell).

But this place gets the need for presentation, and they do it well.

They have several of these metal art pieces... This pumpkin is fantastic!  I wish I had the front garden space (because something like this needs to be on display).

And, of course, what pumpkin patch is complete without the old tractors, trucks, and wagons? Certainly not this one!

And the variety of gourds is amazing... I honestly had no idea just how many different varieties there are out there.

I thought these ones looked like acorns.  How awesome are these?!?!?

Of course, I had to take the obligatory photo at the pumpkin patch.  I zoomed in because I'd rather get clear images of their faces than the pumpkins.

And, this year, I actually got a photo of me.  Actually, Mum took this photo.  Yes, my hair is blond... It's temporary.  Well, temporary since June.  It's my time of experimenting, and since I've been every other color... Why not blond? It was blonder, but I went a little darker this month.  I know... I know... It looks more red than blond.  Let's compromise and say it is strawberry blond.

 

And of course, there are these little sets tucked away in nooks, so families can take their autumn photos.

 

Did I mention the details? How cute is this?!?!

Here is another giant metal piece of art... complete with little pumpkins to make the dress.

Of course, we made our selection of pumpkins (and apples).  How can you not? We didn't go big this year... We went more strategic with our choices.  Some for the inside, and some for the outside of the house.

 

 

 

 

How about you?  Are you doing the Pumpkin Patch this year? How are you celebrating the season?  Drop a note in the Comments section and let me know... I'll hop over to your space on the Blogosphere and have a peek at your seasonal celebrations.

Happy Monday!

Perspective...

It never ceases to amaze me how people can all witness something, but see it in as many different ways as there are different people.  This was especially true when I took Mum and Dawn out to enjoy the sunshine and snap a few photographs.

Christmas Cards

When I was a kid, I loved Christmas cards.  Whenever our little family received a Christmas card in the mail, Mum would always allow Dawn and I to open the envelope (being very careful not to destroy the return address) and pull the festive, often glitter coated, card out from within the safe confines of it's paper coat.  It was like a little present - filled with happy holiday wishes and updates from those near and far.  We loved watching her pin the card to the felt Christmas card display my Grams had made for her many, many years ago - joining the family cards which had already been pinned to the long fabric.

Every year, that displayed hung heavy on the hook - bursting with brightly colored card stock.  There never seemed to be enough room on that display, as cards always seemed to spread out from the felt and creep along the wall - held there by Scotch tape.  The cards always turned into part of the holiday decor - reminders of those who had thought of us during this special time of year.

The number of Christmas cards sent and received multiplied by the year.  And, every year, I remember the joy in getting to wrap my fingers around the most colorful pen possible, carefully gliding its tip across the paper as I signed every Christmas card we mailed out to friends and family.

However, as I have grown into adulthood, I have noticed those number do a reverse.  The Christmas cards sent and received have dwindled.  When I was young, our little family sent and received at least 50-75 Christmas cards each year.  Today, we send no more than 10 cards and receive even less.  The joy of receiving those Christmas cards haven't diminished in my adulthood, so why have the cards?

Some believe it is technology.  As hand written letters have been replaced with email and text messages, Christmas cards have been replaced by Facebook and Twitter.  Who needs the family Christmas portrait when there is Instagram?  Some believe it is laziness.  The newer generations simply don't appreciate the appeal of Christmas cards or are too busy to bother.

For me, I believe it is a combination of many things.  While I appreciate the convenience and immediacy of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (though I don't have an Instagram account), along with the ability to snap a photo with your mobile phone and send it off in an instant, nothing can replace the joy of receiving a little colorful envelope in the mail - filled with glad tidings and holiday spirit.

How about you? Do you send Christmas cards? Do you like receiving Christmas cards?  Do you like sending Christmas cards? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Happy Tuesdsay!

A Visit With Bob

Late last week the Fam and I made a quick trip to the central part of the state to visit Mum's sister, Bob.  The reason behind the trip was to help Bob with a few items on her early retirement "to do" list, and since it meant cross a mountain pass with questionable weather - we opted to spend the night there before making the trip home again.

Along the way, we saw plenty of ice and snow, though not as much as we thought we would.  With all the hub-bub we had been hearing during the week leading up to the planned trip (including a lot of winter weather advisories), we expected a lot more than what we experienced. 

I admit, winter doesn't seem like winter without white on the evergreen trees and a little slush on the roadways.  That said, it is still technically autumn, so I'm okay if there is no white on the evergreen trees and slush on the roadways - especially since I'm driving on them.

However, we made it safe and sound to our destination and were greeted by the happy barks of this lovely lady... Missy.  The whole Fam adores this fabulous pooch, and I admit that on several occasions we've plotted her sudden disappearance and re-appearance at our place.  But whenever we come for a visit, we make sure to give her plenty of attention before we leave.  That, and have quiet conversations with her about how much better it would be to live with us.  However, she usually responds by tilting her head and goobs us with her tongue.

Bob lives in a house that looks like a cabin (complete with real timber walls), so her house looks especially festive when done up for the holidays.  The hundreds of ceramic, stuffed, and painted snowfolks and Santas help as well.  If anyone doubts what time of the year it is... They won't after stepping into Bob's house.

Since we were going to spend quite a bit of time at Bob's place, Mum decided she would cook dinner.  On the menu was Greek chicken, Italian potatoes, dinner rolls, and green beans.  Cherry Gallettes were for dessert.  Loved it!  That would be Mum (with the hat on) and Bob in Bob's 1950s kitchen.

When I say 1950s, I mean 1950s.  Bob hates it.  Mum hates cooking in it.  I think Bob has plans to gut it.  I would too, if that was my kitchen.  Though, it does have a certain ketchy cabin appeal.
 

Here's a little peek at the Italian potatoes.  They were fabulous!

After we gorged ourselves, we chatted a bit, tackled Bob's "to do" list, and made potential plans for a spring break photo shoot and summer road trip before the Fam and I headed back to our hotel room for the night.  The next morning we headed back home, which was when we experienced big winds and bigger snowflakes.  Sorry I have no photographs of that, but I couldn't peel my fingers off the steering wheel long enough to turn on my camera.

Happy Tuesday!

Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving! The holiday to give thanks for all you have and eat a lot of food.  For me, this year has provided plenty of reasons to be thankful.  Those reasons include...

• Family...  Mum and Dawn are a great source of fun, comfort, and inspiration.  They're always game for an adventure, and I love adventures.
• Health...  I've been healthier this year than in many years, and I am hoping to carry that over into 2015.  But in 2014 I've managed to dodge flu and cold seasons, and I've had any major injuries.  The family's health has also been relatively positive.  Rock on, Health!
• Work...  Work has been good.  Clients have been calling, and I had many opportunities at the universities I teach at.  I'm actually looking at cutting back on work, so I can focus on other things in 2015.
• Travel... We had some travel opportunities this year.  I love travel, especially road trips.  We took two major road trips and several little road trips this year, and we had a blast on the road.  There were a few hiccups on our last road trip, but nothing that we couldn't work around.

 How about you? What are your reasons to be thankful?

Lunch with the Fam...

The family decided it would be a good idea to have lunch, so we drove out to a little town called La Conner.  The town is more like a village, filled with all sorts of art galleries and little shops and sits along a channel that leads out to the Pacific.  Our restaurant of choice was the Calico Cupboard which has turned into Mum's go-to place for lunch.

We decided to sit outside - on the back deck - where we had fabulous views of the channel, bald eagles gliding about, and plenty of boats cruising the waters.

This was just one of the views from our place on the deck.  Love those gorgeous blue skies.

 And here is one of those boats I was telling you about earlier.  When the boats weren't fishing boats - they were pleasure cruisers - enjoying the sunshine and mild weather.

Across the channel sits the Swinomish Indian Reservation.  A great little place that built these fabulous cedar hat gazebos.  Aren't they amazing?

We sipped on our lemonade, while we watched the views, had great conversation, and waited for our food.

 When our food arrived at our table - it was pure fabulousness.  Mum ordered the fish tacos (cod this time, but she did have the salmon fish tacos a few weeks earlier), while Dawn and I ordered quesadillas.  Dawn ordered the mushroom and spinach, while I ordered the black bean.  To give everyone the opportunity to try each other's dishes, we divided them in three parts - each getting a part of the two others.

While all three were good, I have to say mine was the best.  Fresh sour cream and quacamole, chunky salsa, and black olives added to the taste extravaganza.

And of course, a blog posting wouldn't be the same without the big smiles.  Here are Mum and Dawn posing for the camera.

While Dawn and I had to do the same.

So, if you get the chance to drive through the picturesque little village of La Conner, Washington - stop by the Calico Cupboard.  While the fish taco and mushroom/spinach quesadilla are good - definitely go for the black bean quesadilla.  You won't regret it.

Happy Monday!

A Spontaneous Picnic...

Over the last few days, we've had some really interesting weather.  It would rain, then sunshine.  Sunshine would disappear and hail would pound the world; however, that pounding would last only minutes before the sunshine would return again.  Oddly enough, the interesting weather inspired us to have a spontaneous picnic.

Who doesn't love picnics?!?!?! And these little daisies in the green grass where we had our picnic was just another welcoming sign of spring.

We stopped by the local grocery and purchase a few salads from the deli, thickly sliced turkey, and smokey provolone cheese along with the necessary paper plates, cups, and paper towels.  We even stopped off at a local gas station to purchase a giant cup full of ice, so our drinks would be cold.
 

We even bought these fabulous croissants.  They were huge, buttery, and fabulously flaky.  They were a perfect match with the cheese and turkey.

And this was our view.  San Juan Islands, cool Pacific waters, and blue skies with fluffy white clouds.  Fabulous.

Finally, there was the amazing bald eagles (this one was a teenager) who sat in the trees surrounding the park we picnicked at... When they weren't watching everything from their evergreen perches, they were surfing the wind - occasionally screeching out to others within hearing distance.

It was such a fun, relaxing day.  A wonderful chunk of time to spend with the family.  What about you? Do you picnic? What is your favorite bit of picnic nosh?

Walking Weather

The weather in my little part of the world hasn't been the greatest weather for walks.  Sure, if you don't mind walking in a down-pour then this weather is for you.  However, doing so on a regular basis will result in an inevitable chill that builds into a sneeze and results in a cold.  However, lately we've been having some amazing weather.  Blue skies, with a few fluffy clouds, and a mild breeze.  So, we decided to take advantage.

Not too far from where we live is a spit of land that has walking trails, beach, Pacific views, and a resort at one end.  We took in the sunshine and stretched our legs on the walkway.

We weren't the only ones enjoying the weather... Amazing views!

This giant water tower is a favorite subject for many photographers, including me.  I love the colors - rustic yet welcoming.  It is a beacon of sorts... ushering people toward the end of the spit.

And watching those out and enjoying the weather was the bald eagle... Playing King of the Tree, while eyeballing anyone who came within 20 yards of said tree.

And, of course, there were the two best walking partners a gal could have joining her.  I had to make them stop for a pose... Mum with her yellow flower, while Dawn spent a good deal of time giggling.

Since the weather promises to be sunshine and warmth, I have a feeling more of these walks are in store.

Happy Wednesday!