Month: October 2019

My Accidental Pumpkin Patch

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I have an affinity for pumpkins. Just ask anyone.

The question around October 1st isn’t, “Jen, will you go to the pumpkin patch this year?” It’s “Jen, how many times are you going to the pumpkin patch this year?”

I love all things pumpkin. One of my greatest joys is wandering around a farm with vines and vines of pumpkins, going on a hayride, and a good corn maze doesn’t hurt. I enjoy picking out the perfect gourd like most women enjoy picking out a pair of shoes.

A dream of mine was to grow my own pumpkins. (Actually my dream was to grow the pumpkins, then make a homemade pumpkin pie from scratch, crust included, from the homegrown pumpkins. I did just that. Once. And only once.)

One spring I planted seeds and grew about 4 pumpkins in my back yard. A couple of years later we moved and I just didn’t have the space. Then one December, I did something quite without meaning to and my accidental pumpkin patch was born.

This is my very first pumpkin patch. Henry was 3 and Lily was 6.

While my porch is delightfully overrun with pumpkins in the fall, come the day after Thanksgiving, fall is back in the bins until next year. As I pulled out my Christmas decorations, I couldn’t bear to part with my beautiful pumpkins. They were simply too pretty to throw away.

So off in the corner of the front lawn they went. The Hubs tucked them neatly away off to the side of our front yard and there they stayed and were eventually forgotten until about March. After some epic rain we noticed the pumpkins were decomposing. Andy pitched the decaying gourds into the trash and left the innards of seeds scattered on the ground.

Then something amazing happened. A month or so later, with more rain, I noticed some pumpkin leaves. Those baby seed leaves and then large green leaves are unmistakable. We accidentally planted a mini pumpkin patch!!!

I was absolutely giddy. I’ve never been happier.

My original Accidental Pumpkin Patch

I think we grew four pumpkins that year.

Ahh… This is just 2 years ago and they look like babies!!! H (6) L (9)

Ok, can I just stop and cry about how much older they look now? This was just two years ago. This also documents the time that Henry decided to cut his own hair……

Wearing my gardening shoes
Classic Bang Chop

Fast forward to the next year. We did the same thing again. This time the seeds didn’t take. Which didn’t entirely surprise me because I made no attempt to actually plant the seeds. We just leave them on the ground and see what plants itself. No pumpkin patch last year.

This past spring, though, my heart skipped a beat as I peered out onto our front yard. Our lawn has turned into a pretty pathetic weed patch, unfortunately, so seeing those pumpkins leaves brought a big, fat smile to my face. Yes, we had another mini pumpkin patch!

Accidental Pumpkin Patch 2019
I’ve got little ones this year!
This is my only green pumpkin or perhaps an acorn squash.

This year’s patch is different in a few ways. I have 14 pumpkins instead of 4!!! They are much smaller from two years ago, though. I have about 4 different kinds of pumpkins this time which is really fun. I never know which of my pumpkin seeds will take so it’s fun to see which ones grow.

What started as me purely wanting to enjoy my pumpkins a little longer (and then a bit of laziness) has turned into a delightful tradition. It was all very accidental which kinda goes with me, don’t you think? Will I make pies out of my pumpkins or carve them? How long will they stay on the vine? Will I give in and actually plant seeds next year? I don’t know. But that’s all part of the fun.

Our Latest Trip to The Pumpkin Patch Henry (8) Lily (11)

6 Things I Learned This Summer

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We are knee deep in fall around. We’ve already made our first trip to the pumpkin patch and as much as I want to post pics of pumpkin patches and write about my favorite fall things, I need to address summer one last time.

I’m not missing summer. In fact every day that reaches over 80 degrees, I quietly curse under my breath. I just want to wear leggings, boots and scarves, ok?

As I delightfully embrace my favorite season, I am reflecting back on summer and what it taught me. I got this idea by following a favorite writer and podcaster of my mine, Emily P. Freeman. She does this seasonally on her blog.

I honestly tried not to overthink these. These are the first 6 things that popped in my mind.

1.) I don’t ever want to cut my hair short again, ever. The last couple of times I’ve chopped my hair, I’ve loved it at first and then proceeded to grow it out. This last time, I cut it a bit too short and my only goal has been to grow it out. I think I’ve finally learned my lesson. No more above the shoulder cuts for me!

2.) I’m not a rush here, rush there kinda of girl. I’m not a schedule busting at the seams; but thriving off the hustle kinda gal. And that’s okay. I’ve never had a busier summer and it ran right into a very (unexpected) stressful August and September. I still haven’t recovered.

3.) Kids are really resilient if you give them a chance. You know that term “lawnmower parent”. Instead of “helicopter parenting”, we now mow the way clear of any struggles or obstacles? I’ve been guilty of that big time. I’m watching my kids experience disappointment and discomfort, knowing it is character building for them and fighting the urge to clear the path for them.

4.) Every show set in England is so much better to me! Father Brown Mysteries on BBC (Netflix for me) have been such a delightful find for me this summer.

5.) Podcasts are my new favorite. Emily P. Freeman’s podcast, The Next Right Thing is a weekly must for me right now.

6.) I am honestly terrified of saying “no” and letting people down. I knew it was a struggle for me; but this summer revealed that I’m down right scared. Unhealthy? Yes. Something I need to work on? You betcha. Big Time!

Reflecting is good, necessary really. Are there things I’ve learned in this last season that will help me make decisions going into this new season? I think so.

Though my summer was maybe a bit too busy, it was filled with good things. I spent time with family and friends. I saw new places and I’m so very thankful. Here’s to maybe a tad slower fall?