It was finally time to head out into the actual pumpkin fields to pick our pumpkins!  Everyone was pretty excited.

Someone please tell me why Guy insists on closing his eyes in every single posed photo?  Is it just a four-year old thing?

I was sadden to see the condition of the fields.  So dried up and brown.  I don’t remember it ever being this dry in years past.

But I was glad to see the pumpkins were all still on the vines!  We went to a different pumpkin patch last year (in another state) and they had simply placed pumpkins around a field for you to “pick.”  Not a fan.

OMG Becky got caught in a small dust devil in the middle of the field.

Poor girl didn’t know which way to run!

Look what I found!  A gourd in the middle of the field.  I’m guessing someone had carried it out from the general store and left it behind by accident.

I decided it would be my “pumpkin” pick.  Why?  Because it confused the heck out of Guy as to why this “pumpkin” was so special.  He could not stop staring at it on the hayride back.  Well worth the $0.75!

Sassy and her trophy pumpkin.

Someone said SMILE, so I did!  OMG Becky did not.  I think maybe I embarrass her occasionally.

We discovered Sassy is a natural cowgirl!  Girl can work a lasso.  She hit the mark almost every time!

Who is that Pumpkin Patch Princess?

I have been saving this photo for last because it features one of my favorite things of that day.

Fresh pumpkin donuts still warm!   Best treat of the day.  And Sassy, of course.  She’s one of my favorite things always.

What’s your favorite part of a pumpkin patch visit?

I also love that farms in our area have corn mazes, slides, and hay rides.  This past Saturday I was able to spend some time with my family at the farm and we had a blast.  Well, sometimes pictures really do more justice than words.

We saw lots of animals

Hayride fun

More hayride fun!

Pumpkin picking

I like the cider, doughnuts, hayride, Trick
or Treat. One year we dared a haunted house
to scare us. Brave fronts all, we tried to douse
our rising fears, but terror took a lick

like fire beneath a door. Once in, we could
not run away, and pitch-black atmosphere
made cold our blood. The first scene? Butcher gear
and hanging slabs of meat. Men, knives, and wood-

block tables gave us shivers and a chill.
On to the next room: From a coffin rose
a dead thing, called our daughter’s name. We froze.
As all the screams around us mounted, shrill

and terrified, we hugged the wall. Come here,
the dead thing moaned. Into the next room: O,
the floor fell out. Please, no, how far below
will I go when I step? A masked man’s jeer

shot fright into our son, now in our arms.
What next? We couldn’t see a thing, nor know
when something would jump out. When would this show
be over so we could escape its harms?

A witch stirred cauldrons of a nasty brew
and cackled, Have a taste of this, my sweet.
We noticed pointed slippers on her feet,
the needled hat upon her head. Adieu,

then, and she gave us candy, showed us through
the door. Our children’s faces of surprise
displayed the shock we felt. No brooms, no flies…
“A good witch,” breathed our daughter. We withdrew

with deep relief but always wondered who’d
lie in a coffin. Mystery remains.
Still, to this day, I feel such stomach pains
remembering who made me come unglued.

Last Saturday, Bluffton’s annual fall festival offered activities that appealed not only to locals of all ages, but plenty of out-of-towners. Kids’ activities downtown, a quilt show, antique tractor show, car raffle, movie premier, silent auction, public library anniversary celebration, health fair, corn maze and hayrides at Suter’s.

We made the rounds, but my favorite stop is the Swiss Homestead, partly because my great-great-grandfather was one of 163 grandchildren of Peter and Elizabeth Schumacher, who lived on the farm with their 16 children. But mostly, I just love being out in the country.

To give you an idea of what we saw during our various stops, here are some photos:

This tractor reminds me of my Grandpa Suter’s tractor. I remember it being gray, but since that was a LONG time ago, I’m probably wrong.

Two of my cousins playing with the baby ducks.

Feeding adorable baby goats

Herb garden

Jonah Agner baking bread

Slicing ham off the spit

Who wouldn’t love playing in a giant “corn box”?

Giant corncob at Suter’s Corn Maze

Starting this Friday, October 5^th, come check out the Cowart Ranch & Farms in Bunnell fall harvest! Every weekend through November 4^th, the fall harvest will be open for a walk through maze and a farm-touring hayride. There will also be animal petting and a “mini-maze” for younger children. You can  buy local produce from their 2-acre pumpkin and sunflower patch as well! The fall harvest will be open on Fridays from 4 to 10 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 10 pm, and Sundays from noon to 8pm. For more information, check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cowartranchandfarms

My friends and I signed up to go on a hayride and campfire outing at a farm, this evening. I was driving and sent out a note to meet at the metro station at 5:25. One of the three misread the email and called me at 5:15 to ask where I was. Just as I got there to pick her up on time, we got a text from another one saying she was running late. In fact, she was still at home. The third called to tell us she had forgotten something and was on her way back to her apartment to pick it up. We were going to miss the boat…er…hayride. Also, it looked like it was going to rain.

What ensued involved some crazy coordination, picking people up on corners, speeding down back streets and refreshing the event page to make sure it wasn’t canceled due to inclement weather, even as we were racing against the clock. Somehow we made it there just before the hayride and the other 30 people we were going with left. It was raining, but with jackets and umbrellas, this was still happening.

They hayride bumped along around the farm and we were occasionally greeted by Halloween decorations or gussied up scarecrows. The rain continued off and on while we idly chatted. By the time we got back, we were half soaked from the drizzle and chilled. The campfire was a welcome site. There were hot dogs and s’mores and wine. We intermittently huddled under umbrellas around the campfire and the small tent where the food was.

Ok, so it wasn’t the best night to have this event that we barely made. And I can think of so many reasons why we’d feel grumpy or want to leave or not go at all. But here’s the thing. No one complained. Everyone was chatty and happy to be there, despite the circumstances. We ate, we drank, we took crazy pictures. There were lots of jokes about wieners and buns on sticks (there’s something about a campfire that brings out the inner twelve year old) and marveling at the colors of the darkened night sky. Most of all there was laughter. We laughed about our crazy car antics, about not getting there on time, about the rain and wet hay, about the heat of the fire and at each other.

Tonight reminds me that attitude accounts for so much of our experiences in life. We can think ourselves miserable or we can accept what is and go forward, anyway.

Red Wagon Farm in Columbia Station is a neat little place. With free admission and parking, it’s the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon: pumpkin patch, hayrides, straw playground, corn maze, fresh produce, warm apple cider, and a concession stand selling homemade food.

At first, Bridget was not a fan…

But once we strapped her in the carrier, she was loving the beautiful fall colors, lots of people, and delicious smells. I hope today was the start of a new Lichty family tradition.

During the summer months, we operate a pick you own blueberry, raspberry and blackberry patch.  We also grow and sell many tree fruits, heirloom vegetables, timothy hay and sunflowers.  Spring and summer are also great times to visit the pond and feed the Koi! 

Fall weather starts the harvest of many varieties of ornamental gourds, pumpkins, and winter squash as well as field and ornamental corn.  Our chickens lay fresh eggs daily for purchase and we sell our rabbits for pets or meat. Both animals give us the best fertilizer/mulch your garden could ever ask for!  Come winter, after the tree sales pass, we make pure Maple, Black Walnut, and Birch syrups.

I love fall, and I want to eat or drink every pumpkin-themed edible that I see advertised. HELLO – Pumpkin Granola Oatmeal??? Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt? Pumpkin Whoopie Pie? Pumpkin Spice Pancakes? Pump, pump, pump it up! America is like a broken record, currently stuck on pumpkin.

Let’s not forget the now-ubiquitous Pumpkin Spice Latte, which I believe is currently available at your local EVERYWHERE. Starbucks must be muttering under its breath, trying not to look too peeved.

This kind of sums up the current culture of fall, in highly offensive and hilarious writing:

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/its-decorative-gourd-season-motherfuckers

Has it always been like this? I remember the days when…oh, whatever. I can’t really complain about the Fall Festivities Bandwagon, because I am driving the bandwagon, and the bandwagon in this case is like a hayride through a pumpkin patch, and my kids are playing in the hay, and I’m really happy, and looking forward to eating my next pumpkin baked good next to my cinnamon pumpkin candle.

I suppose the point I’m trying to make is: every year this pumpkin craze seems to get more out of control, and I want to make fun of it, yet still be part of it. (The same goes for embarrassing dancing in public.) But it’s okay to like something that everyone else likes. Take, for instance, The Beatles. Or Harry Potter. Or The Cheesecake Factory. If the masses like something, that doesn’t necessarily make it bad. Pumpkin tastes and looks and smells awesome. Once in a while, the general population gets it right. And we are right about pumpkins.

And now for some adorable pics of my kids at our nearest fall festival!

We have our little hiccups, even on the most perfect of fall days.

But really, it was a lovely time.

Embrace the pumpkin. You won’t regret it. (Unless you spend $6.00 on a pumpkin spice latte every day.)

Good morning.

Today and tomorrow we will be celebrating with William Knoll and Jennifer Shoffner as they get married tomorrow afternoon. Please join me in wishing them well.

Sunday morning worship deals with Mark Chapter 9:38-50–we will highlight the failures the disciples were experiencing–The sermon is entitled “Fumbling Toward Failure.”

6:30 p.m. on Sunday night is a Vacation Bible School Feedback meeting and covered dish. We want your advice! We want to know what worked (and what didn’t) with VBS this year and how we can improve Children’s Educational Events here at Hills.

Tuesday, October 2 is Bible Study at 10 a.m. Thursday October 4th is Bell Choir. Friday Night October 5th is the Hayride. We will meet at Gearhard Farms at 6 p.m. Cost is 8 dollars per person. Children under 4 years old are free. We will have a bonfire and hot dog roast. A sign up sheet is on the office door.

In a week, October 7th, is a very special Sunday at Hills. It is Worldwide Communion Sunday–when Christians from around the world remember our oneness in Jesus Christ. We will be taking our Neighbors in Need Offering which goes toward Anti-Hunger and Anti-poverty issues in the United Church of Christ. And we will be starting the Mitten Tree that Sunday as well.

Remember that October 14th is the CROP walk at 1 p.m. You can sponsor a walker or walk yourself for hunger relief and much of that food donations stays local.

Coming up on October 13th–We will be hosting a program from the Delmont Library. It is called “Titanic: Dance through the Ages.” A professional dancing duo perform an all ages show and will even teach (for those who wish) you some old time dance steps from the era of the Titanic. It starts at 4 p.m. and Hills will be providing refreshments (cookies, finger food things). So, if you can help out by donating some refreshments, thank you in advance!!!!!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Joseph

Just a few hours to go till SHOCKTOBERFEST opens at 7:00 o’clock tonight. I have fully recovered from the The Zombie Mud Run. So let the Games begin. So come and join me at the Zombie Revenge Haunted Hayride where we are all hungry.

The physical address is:

Shocktoberfest

94 Park Avenue

Sinking Spring, PA 19608

Hot-line: 610-375-SCREAM

Attractions:

• Zombie Revenge Haunted Hayride

• The Prison of the Dead

• The Unknown

• Club Shock

Single Pass (one attraction): $15

Double Pass (any two attractions): $26

All-Access Pass (all attractions – the best deal!): $34

RIP Pass: $15

If time is an issue, an RIP Pass will usher you to the front of the attraction lines!

Special Internet Pricing:

RIP Passes are only $10 when purchased on-line! RIP Passes apply to all of your tickets. You don’t need to purchase an RIP Pass for each attraction.

The ticket booth accepts cash only, however there is an ATM on site. To pay by credit card, you can purchase your tickets on-line.

Please note that special pricing and coupons do not apply to tickets purchased on-line.

MEDFORD, N.J. (CBS) — The wet weather earlier this year has made it a challenge for pumpkin farmers to produce a quality crop in some areas — but a Burlington County farm has plenty of good ones to choose from.

Even in a wet year, Ken Johnson of Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford, New Jersey says conditions on his property enable the majority of the pumpkins to make it until picking time.

“We are fortunate,” Johnson says. “We have very sandy, well-drained farm, so the water leaves very quickly when we do get rain. Plus, the fact that we do put a lot of effort into the growing of a cover crop that becomes a mulch and keeps the pumpkins off the ground.”

Pumkins range from a pound or two up to 40 pounds.

A popular thing to do on the farm is to take a hayride into the field and pick your own pumpkin.

Marnie Benjamin of Marlton, NJ. with her 20-month-old son Aaron. (credit: John McDevitt)

“We wanted to look for something that was round and not bruised and had a nice looking stem,” said Marnie Benjamin, who was there with her 20-month-old son Aaron, “so when we cut the top off, we could use it to open the pumpkin.”

Johnson’s parents started the farm back in 1953.

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That looks pretty good.  They are.  That Fall feel is in the air, crispness in the morning, which means pumpkin, pumpkin patches, haunted hayrides..!

But when we were kids my parents would buy Freihofer’s 12 pack doughnuts.  The box would come with 4 each of Powdered, Cinnamon Sugar and Plain.  The funny thing is, my parents would slice them in half horizontally, slap butter on the cut side and put them in a frying pan till the buttered side was a crisped golden brown and heat had permeated through out the little heart-stopping morsel…..  Can you imagine, oh what we didn’t know back then about ‘healthy’ Lol

So I thought, well this is a fairly healthy muffin, why not give that a try….

They just went from pretty darn good..to melt in your mouth fantasticness…I’m pretty sure the health factor is out the window though

Enjoy, the Recipe is Here

https://www.facebook.com/TricountyHauntedHayride

For more information, please call the General Store & Museum Gift Shop at 732-938-3311 or visit during its operating hours: Wednesdays & Fridays- 10am-4pm, Saturdays & Sundays- 10am-4:30pm.

Hope everyone is getting excited for our Fall Season at Allaire Village! Look out for upcoming information on spooky cultural programs, harvest events, and of course…Halloween Hayrides! Please visit www.allairevillage.org for more information & ticket purchases.

-Hannah

]]> http://sherrieakin.com/2012/09/16/hayride-sneak-preview-in-mobile-al/ Sun, 16 Sep 2012 15:12:46 +0000 Sherri Eakin http://sherrieakin.com/2012/09/16/hayride-sneak-preview-in-mobile-al/

There will be a sneak preview of HAYRIDE on Thursday, September 20th, at The Crescent Theater in Downtown Mobile (across from Soul Kitchen). Showtimes are 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm. This is a public showing and seating is limited (100 seats), so first come first served. There will Beer and Wine for sale, so come early, have a drink with the film-makers, and make sure you get one of the good seats (IE. the recliners). See Y’all there!
“Now that’s southern-fried Horror” -Uncle Morgan

Learn more about the Crescent Theater in Mobile, AL at http://www.crescenttheater.com

Apple-pickin’ time is here (happy face). So, for the love of all things sweet and crunchy,  get the family to an apple orchard. Our family’s favorite? Afton Apple Orchard.

The $2-3 admission is very reasonable. Not only can you enjoy a little hayride out to the orchard and jump off when you reach the apple of your eye. But there’s raspberry picking, pumpkin picking (starts last week in Sept.), a huge 15-acre corn maze (11 and up:$9; ages 2-10: $7; under 2-free. Save $1 per person with this coupon.) Plus, there’s a great playground,  hay-bale mountain and petting farm complete with hand sanitizer! Lots of tasty treats too (why hello there, apple donuts) and a Moo Moo Choo Choo ($2/person). If you can, go during the week to avoid the crowds (note hayride and Moo Moo Choo Choo hours below).

And if that doesn’t convince you, maybe this will.

Afton Apple Orchard
14421 So. 905h Street
Hastings, MN 55033
651-436-8385

Hayrides Hours:
Sat & Sun: 10 am – 6 pm
M-F: 3-6 pm

Moo Moo Choo Choo Hours:
Sat & Sun: 11 am – 4 pm