Autumn is a most beloved season ever year. However, if you're like us, you've been far too busy to even enjoy the season. The leaves. The sights. The smells. The foods. And even football, this year. What's changed? The world, that's what! Everyone is busier than ever. Right?
These past several weeks have been a virtual whirlwind and spending time as a family has been compromised by our exhaustive schedules. Last Sunday, we indulged in rare afternoon of family togetherness. Our adventure began with an autumn scavenger hunt and family walk.
Our spoils included leaves, feathers, rocks, acorns, flowers and pinecones!
We never expected to bump into a curious monstrosity in a residential neighborhood, but there it was, undulating across the sidewalk towards someone's front yard.
My first thought was run away!
My second thought was take a picture.
My third thought was that even horrible, nightmarish creatures deserves names too.
So, I named the snake Nancy Pelosi.
And then I took her picture.
And then I was ready to run away.
Freaky, right?
I might have turned tail and run for home, dialing 911 in my haste because I have this thing about snakes--as in I avoid them at all costs! Clarke and Brock are of a different mindset, however.
Clarke even picked up the shudder-worthy reptile and dangled it in our dogs' faces.
Poor puppies.
(okay, so the snake wasn't THAT big. But hey, a snake is a snake.
I don't discriminate about those sorts of things.)
When we arrived back home, it was pumpkin' pickin' time! This is a fun family tradition that we began about four years ago when we planted our first garden. Our goal was to grow about 5-6 carving pumpkins to decorate our porch. As the summer progressed and grew into Autumn and the green foliage of the pumpkin plants froze and withered, the pumpkin count began.
Initially, we counted about 12-15 pumpkins!
An impressive feat for amateur gardeners.
As Clarke began to chop the pumpkins from their vines and Brock lined them up in the grass, we realized that we were a little off on our count.
17, 18, 19, 20...
....26, 27...
TWENTY EIGHT pumpkins!
Wow.
After dinner, it was time to top off our day with a dutch oven dessert.
These past several weeks have been a virtual whirlwind and spending time as a family has been compromised by our exhaustive schedules. Last Sunday, we indulged in rare afternoon of family togetherness. Our adventure began with an autumn scavenger hunt and family walk.
Our spoils included leaves, feathers, rocks, acorns, flowers and pinecones!
My first thought was run away!
My second thought was take a picture.
My third thought was that even horrible, nightmarish creatures deserves names too.
So, I named the snake Nancy Pelosi.
And then I took her picture.
And then I was ready to run away.
I might have turned tail and run for home, dialing 911 in my haste because I have this thing about snakes--as in I avoid them at all costs! Clarke and Brock are of a different mindset, however.
Clarke even picked up the shudder-worthy reptile and dangled it in our dogs' faces.
Poor puppies.
I don't discriminate about those sorts of things.)
When we arrived back home, it was pumpkin' pickin' time! This is a fun family tradition that we began about four years ago when we planted our first garden. Our goal was to grow about 5-6 carving pumpkins to decorate our porch. As the summer progressed and grew into Autumn and the green foliage of the pumpkin plants froze and withered, the pumpkin count began.
Initially, we counted about 12-15 pumpkins!
An impressive feat for amateur gardeners.
17, 18, 19, 20...
....26, 27...
TWENTY EIGHT pumpkins!
Wow.
And what's more "autumn" than apple cobbler?
Clarke is such a wiz with the dutch oven and he made a scrumptious dessert that we enjoyed by the light of a backyard campfire.
Delish!
Clarke is such a wiz with the dutch oven and he made a scrumptious dessert that we enjoyed by the light of a backyard campfire.
Delish!
