Summer Days Driftin' Away

Somehow, I’m just realizing, the summer has passed by in a whirl of packing, unpacking, traveling hither and thither, and cleaning cleaning cleaning.  I feel a pause in the frenetic activity that has swallowed me up these past months.  And I glimpse fall waiting quietly in the wings.

I’m glad for it.  Fall is my very favorite season, so rich in color and spicy smells and good hearty recipes and family get-togethers.  I also rejoice in the tangible proof that seasons do change – especially when one has felt caught in a souped-up version of the movie Groundhog Day.

Yes, many things – blogging included – drifted to the wayside during my summer months of packing, travel, and cleaning.  Oh sure, I began several blog posts, but somehow pushing the “publish” button was simply beyond me.  Heck, at one point, I even re-designed my blog layout for the summer months, but alas, nary a post.  Ah well.

The seasons are changing, and though change brings both loss and gain, I believe my family is ready for them.  There are new plans in the works, new ideas being discussed, and an anticipation we haven’t felt for quite some time.  Sometimes in order to gain the new things, the old things – the comfortable, safe, known things – must be put aside.

So welcome, fall.  I can’t wait to see the changes you bring.

What'd You Do This Weekend: Pumpkin Hunters

This was our second year to pumpkin hunt at Davis Family Farms.  It's a quaint little farm located on NE Hwy 20 outside of Corvallis.  (Unfortunately, I've not been able to find a website for them or I'd be sure to share it.)  

 

 Davis Family Farm Storefront.

When we arrived, we were the only family waiting for a hay ride.  Jason wondered if we might be too early in the season - I assured him that we probably weren't, but secretly worried otherwise.

 

 Daddy and Siennalee tried to pose for a nice shot amongst the pumpkins, but the morning sunlight was really tough to deal with!

 

 Ah, here comes our hay ride!

 

The driver was really sweet.  Didn't seem to mind at all that we were the only customers in sight!

 Little kids and big kids love hay rides.  Don't you?

 

 Siennalee kept going back and forth sitting with Mommie and Daddy so she'd be sure to see everything from every angle possible.  Last year this ride was PACKED.

 

Jason took this with our point and shoot camera - I think it's so cute.  It totally captures the whole "whoa-what-a-big-field" and "why-in-heaven's-name-have-my-parents-brought-me-here" feeling of a toddler's first steps into a vast pumpkin field.

 

The hunters set off!

The farm hadn't mowed the field down yet, so we tromped through full size pumpkin leaves and vines searching for the perfect orange skinned quarry.

 

Mommie's punkin was found first.

 

Then the perfect lil punkin guy was spotted for Siennalee.

 

 Awww.

 

 Then we found the Daddy Punkin.

 

Awww.  ;)

 

It first had to pass a Sienna-and-Mommie inspection, of course.

 

The hay ride back!

The return hay ride brought more families out to that patch and then picked us up and took us back to the storefront.  Again we had the ride to ourselves.

 

Siennalee enjoyed the ride very much and chatted it up to us.

 

 One of my favorite pics of the day.  :)

Daddy and Siennalee had tickle fights on the trip back.  I probably shouldn't tell you who won most of them.

Still not telling.

 

Our loot from the pumpkin hunt.  Plus three Indian Corn and a small stuffed cow from home.

  

And guess what else - donuts!

Yesss, Davis Family Farms makes the most marvelous donuts - on site!  They do it mainly for the delectably enticing aroma, I suspect.  Because once you smell those freshly cooking donuts (which you can smell strongest from the return hay ride, actually), you absolutely cannot stop foraging through your pockets, purse, and car for loose change and anything of value that might be worth trading for one of these lucious pastries.  Ahhhh. 

...Where was I?

 

Don't you just love sweet endings?