5.) Share a favorite fall view.
The Pumpkin Patch is a miserable place. It’s either muddy and overcrowded or sunny and overcrowded. Picking out pumpkins is a chore, standing in line for them to be weighed is obnoxious and then taking them to a second line to pay is stupid.
For the past two years it has been so crowded that I actually tell the kids we’ll buy our pumpkins at the grocery store and just walk around instead.
I don’t even really LIKE pumpkins. Carving them takes both muscle AND an artistic touch, neither of which I have and then they rot on my front porch.
To be clear…no one in my family truly enjoys the pumpkin patch, but every year I make sure to set aside an afternoon for us to go.
I can’t explain it. Those rows upon rows of rotting, orange fruit call me in.
We have to go.
They’re my favorite fall view.
Allie says
Hi Kat! We love the pumpkin patch – but it nowhere that muddy. I should buy our at the store, because it’s cheaper – but of course, the experience is what we’re paying for. But you’re in Seattle – and that is the muddiest pumpkin patch I have ever seen!
Mama Kat says
Yep, muddy pumpkin patches, that’s how we roll. Rain boots are a necessity!
Allie says
Okay – no coffee, too many “buts” and I meant, “”nowhere near that.” Apologies…
Andrea says
I have never taken my kids to a pumpkin patch. One too many preschool field trips to the “fall festivals” in town, complete with hay ride and scorching hot apple cider, and I swore off pseudo farm visits forever.
Mama Kat says
omg, the fall festivals are the WORST! We have ours at the kids school and I feel like I want to pass out after 20 minutes in there.
MJ says
Last year was the first year we visited a pumpkin patch. We don’t really have the Fall season in the country we lived in prior to Canada so we didn’t really “get” the Fall season. But after our visit to the patch last year, and now seeing your kids sitting on the pumpkins, remind me how much I terribly love fall! If not for anything else, I’d stay in North America just so I can experience the Fall season each year :-)
Mama Kat says
I always forget that some people don’t really experience fall and pumpkin patches. We have an extra room if you want to come be wet at the pumpkin patch!
Michelle says
The first time I took my kids to the pumpkin patch alone, because Daddy had to work and Mommy can do it not to worry, I got the truck stuck in a muddy field they called a parking lot. Thank God for 4 wheel drive! We go back to the same patch every year, tire sucking mud and all. Tradition at its best.
Mama Kat says
I think I went alone the first couple of years too! Maile was just a baby and I remember thinking it was pretty pointless. I don’t even think I had my camera with me…it’s like…if there’s not a photo of it, IT DIDN’T HAPPEN. But yep, all about the tradition.
Stephanie says
Seems like such a wonderful place and a great activity. Love your pics! Beautiful
kelley says
that last picture tells all, that’s the reason you love the pumpkin patch. Just look at those smiles. We had our “pumpkin massacre” last night. The grandkids all come over and whack away at the pumpkin flesh until they have each produced a jack-o-lantern for grandma’s porch. We got our pumpkins at Wal-mart, but the kids had a great time picking through the containers finding the pumpkin that was just right for them. Great post today.
Mama Kat says
A pumpkin massacre! That is the best party name ever! How fun!!
carol says
I agree… there’s just something about seeing those rows and rows of orange pumpkins begging to be taken home from their muddy fields. But, I have to say, your children are, by far, the cutest pumpkins I see in that patch! There are just some traditions we can’t give up!
Mama Kat says
So true…those kids are the best little pumpkins of all!
Jessica says
I love that stuff. My ancestors were farmers, so maybe I have the gene or something. Sometimes it’s muddy or hot when we go, but this year was perfect — cool and dry. Made for a much better hay ride, too! :)
Mama Kat says
The stars aligned for you this year! To be honest I prefer the rain and mud to the sunshine. It’s always more crowded on sunny days!
madamdreamweaver says
I use an electric pumpkin on a timer, though I like eating the pumpkin seeds that result from carving. My Mom used to recycle those carved pumpkins into canned pumpkin (they weren’t carved too early or left out too long to make that work!) :)
Oh, by the way, someone posted a link to “Take a bite into the run,” which seems about running and not related to any of the topics listed for this link-up. Maybe you might give it a look.
Adrienne says
I prefer my pumpkins pre-picked and waiting for me at a cute farm stand. Where there are other, even cuter, trinkets to purchase. Since my kids were “kids” when we lived in France, we’ve barely ever done any fall stuff – including Halloween – as a family thing. Thanksgiving, after 14 years back in the states, is finally in their blood. But even that we celebrate on Friday! I’ll have to go crazy with the grandkids….if I ever get any!