Halloween Party At The Farm 2011

We started a new tradition this year with a Halloween party at the farm the weekend before Halloween. We ate chili, carved pumpkins, went on a hay ride, and had a bonfire. This also gave the kids who wanted to an extra opportunity to wear their costumes and for this momarazzi to take lots of pictures. I am also trying to build happy memories for my kids that are connected to our family farm. Come along we will give you a pumpkin to carve.

Early in the day we stopped at a local farm that sold pumpkins. We had some from our garden but we wanted to make sure we had enough for everyone to carve. Caelun had fun picking them out.

And carve we did.

Teresa helps Sylvia with her pumpkin.

Blake and Cole dig into theirs. Cole gets some help from Aaron.

Billy digs for seeds in his.

Caelun works on his.

He gets some help from Grandma Mary.

Jodi watches while Matt scoops the seeds out of his.

Jodi lends a hand.

Pumpkins carved we clean up and eat.

All aboard for a hay ride

 

There is a monkey in the straw.

Teresa and Sylvia enjoy the hay ride.

Blake and Cole have fun as well.

A straw covered monkey climbs on top of Sam while Harry Potter watches.

Caelun buried in the straw.

‘monkeying around’

At dark we built a fire.

Putting the trailer to bed.

Hooray for Halloween parties!

Fall 2011

"The woods are full of fairies; the sea is full of fish; the trees are full of golden leaves; let's make an autumn wish.” Author Unknown

I have said it before but one of the things I love about living in Michigan is the change of seasons. I love the swirling circles of time that can be measured in blustery snow falls, blades of new grass fighting their way to the surface of the soil, bursts of summer flowers and the sound of kids splashing in a pool, and the kaleidoscope of leaves that erupt as the Earth starts it’s wonky tilt away from the Sun in its endless rotations on it’s axis. The seasons give me a way to measure time making it more tangible than I am sure it would if I lived in place that is more constant in it’s angle to that giant nuclear reactor in space.  I like time to be palpable and come in measured spoons full, it reminds me not to waste it. That while this big blue ball will keep making it’s tipsy circular dance around a celestial body I will not always be along for the ride so I better make the most of the ticket I have. The leaves all around me exploding into the color of fire as the mercury begins a decent is an excellent admonition to cease the day. My niece Laura, who grew up here, but now lives in a place where most of the time the sun shines and it is always a variation of warm asked for some pictures of fall. I think I understand the need. Come walk in the leaves and appreciate the glory of a tilting planet we call home.

 

Morley Park

One of Our ancient maple trees.

A view across the street to the creek from the play fort

A neighbor’s house looking ever so much like a Norman Rockwell painting.

The other direction to Riggle park

Fall flowers

Our transplanted redbud tree also feeling the pull of time.