Pumpkin without Spice!

As mentioned in the FB album and on my blessing blog, this was a pretty good year for Steve's punkins. We managed to get rid of most of them. Last year, they were wasted. I was very glad that didn't happen this fall. I hate tossing away a harvest. 

  We haven't carved pumpkins in a couple of years, so it was good to dust off the tools and creativity.

 Jon, as usual, opted for a bigger knife to use on his pumpkin of choice. (think this is one a friend found in his yard and passed on to Jon-who proceeded to clean it up and make like new.)

 He decided to try for sharp teeth this year. He was reminded how certain shapes are more difficult than others! (he used a smaller knife for the teeth)

 I chose a pattern off the internet. I started out firmly convinced I was going to make a ladybug, which is why I went online to see how to do it. I ended up thinking of Toni and Tony and went Disney.

 I found a simple cat pattern that Steve carved on his second pumpkin. He always comes up with fun creations and doesn't often use patterns. It turned out the very best!

 Things to remember when carving pumpkins. 1-they are messy. 2-they are VERY messy and the different stages of growth help create mess. The orange ones were less slimy and had better seeds. The green ones were kind of in the gicky stage. 3-the thicker the shell, the harder it is to make intricate designs. Which is why I glued shiny dots to the cat's face instead of trying to find a really long thin nail to poke holes with. (the nail I used for a couple of the whisker holes kind of 'broke' the pumpkin. Not kind of, it did break!)

 The one below turned out pretty cute, though! (this was mine!)

The seeds I will dry to send to mom for the birds. Every time I cook them for human consumption, only about a cup are eaten. The rest sit around for months til they get tossed. So, the birds will get them this year! 

 I wanted to make a ribbon pumpkin. Breast cancer is such a huge part of my world. Unfortunately, I didn't go online to see how to do this one! I should have. I'll know better next year! The shape was easy. Carving it was not.

 So, I used quilting pins and paint. (I was going to use paint anyway, but it sort of was more necessary than I thought it would be!)

 It used to be all dark inside

when growing on the vine,

but now it has a toothy smile

and face that's full of shine.

  Aileen Fisher- Pumpkin Head

Temperature is dropping!!!!

It is getting COLD out there!!!! I wish I had a transporter to trade my shorts for sweatshirts. Apparently, it is even too cold to get the paper to the paper box! 

 Frosted golden leaves- they looked better in the sunshine! All glittery and decorated with crystals.

 I had emptied the hose once, but it appears I managed to forget the last time. I had left it hooked up cuz mom wanted to wash the windows. After letting it thaw, Debbie was able to disconnect the thing and I put it away for the winter. Hooray for wonderful angel friends!

 Somehow these were a lot more fun in 'Real Genius'......

 Went out after dinner to dip a paddle in the lake again. I had to break thru a skin of ice on the edge! There was even ice in the kayak! I came back to shore before it was able to melt.

 Stunning sky tonight, I probably should have looked for a sunset--but I enjoyed the lake. It is always different. I can see why Thoreau enjoyed his pond so much. An amazing ecosystem of ever changing worlds.

 Quite possibly the last lake selfie. I did a face plant coming out of the shop where we keep the life jacket. I was very glad I didn't trip getting out of the kayak!!! (I am not sure what I tripped over. More than likely, it was my feet.)

 If you look at this reflection closely, you can see a 'D' and what might be some other letters. The 'close up' I took didn't come out very well.

I think it reads 'Doo'...whatever that might mean! 

Almost unrelated, but always interesting!

I went back to the Sr Center and got a better photo of the plaque in front of the flags. 

 Afternoon sunshine is always a plus. This might have been closer to 8pm, but it was still pretty nice!

We don't often get red leaves up here. The states, leaves come in all colors during the fall. We tend to gravitate toward golds. So, when you find red leaves, it is rather exciting!

 Hungry downy woodpecker!

 Mum working on a quilt for the Senior Center Auction in October. She is still working on another one that has bears (this one is monkeys).

 Red skies at night...pink clouds in the lake...Perfect!

 Mittens, deigning to visit the person who sleeps in the basement.

 Mamma and young one on a road less traveled-I didn't go down, just took the photo from the one I was standing in and walked away.

 Lichen is so incredibly fun to photograph. If only I had an eye like Celia or Kurt or Michelle!!! No matter, I like mine, too!

This poor car! When it went off the traveled road onto a less traveled dead end, it stopped. Never to go again. 

 When I was in college, I'd ride my bike to the clam cannery. This particular stretch of Lamplight was super fun when it went downhill. Uphill was more work.

I hope you enjoyed these random images from out north--I love this place. :o)

The Road Less Traveled...

 OK, it isn't quite a road, nor is it much less traveled! There were signs of chainsaws, moose tracks, broken trees, and ATVs all along the right of ways.

 Someday, before too long, I'll continue past this deep dip in the way and wander further.

 Miniature forests near my toes-

 In this wooded hood, the trees carry chains and wear ski caps.

 The thick gangs of mosquitoes wield rapiers, out for your blood.

 The stumps on every corner are dressed to attract even the most hardened hikers.

 And neon lichen hides on the underbellies of an ecosystem. It is a lovely place full of  things to wonder about!
           (I also think a sturdier shoe would be good to remember the next time I visit!

I found this little guy before noon. I had gone out to the shop and the thing looked like it was shivering on a 'branch' on the ground. I went inside the building, came back with my camera, and it was still there. I took his picture and then tried to pick him up. He was holding fast. I didn't want mom's dog to get it, so I went inside to let her know about it. She said to put him in a box. I often use paper bags in Oregon for injured birds, but a box would work. I found a small one, sprinkled some seed in the bottom, and plucked the tiny creature from where he was clinging. Once it was in the box, I proceeded to fold over the flaps to keep him safe. I put it down in a secure spot and started to leave the shop. However, heard scrabbling noises. Puzzled, I wondered what he was up to and opened the box outside. He proceeded to hop up on the edge of the flap, looked at me with a beak full of sunflower seed, and flew off! I shook my head, emptied out the rest of the seeds, went in to tell mom, and left to go have lunch with Angela. It was a very strange experience!