Some spooky characters Pulled Up A Seat and joined the party at our Fall Family Festival earlier this month. Everyone looks forward to this annual event as it’s one of the few times in the year that all the familly gets together and, as usual, our daughter and her husband made the party a special Halloween treat for young and old alike.
Halloween
All posts tagged Halloween
The subject for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week was set for us by Patti, and she is looking for some fun. Whenever I am looking for a little fun, I head over to my eldest daughter’s house. For many years I hosted every kind of family celebration imaginable but now she has taken over the task and is doing a first-rate job. Last year she initiated a new celebration, the family fall festival, and we had a lot of fun, so this year we looked forward to the date with eager anticipation.
The day started out well. The sun was shining and we were able to enjoy all the outdoor decorations which were primarily geared towards the forthcoming Halloween festivities.
Someone was on hand to do a bit of face painting while the grown-ups prepared the food. Luckily we didn’t need to use the grill as it seemed to be haunted, and I got a fright when someone tapped on the window by the kitchen sink and I look out to see who was there.
Then it was time for all of us to head over to Kregel’s Pumpkin Farm. We had a great time there last year and this looked to be just as much fun, with some family members trying out a new rolling activity while others had a go at the giant slide. By this time, the dark clouds were starting to drift in but we were fairly confident that we’d stay dry as there seemed to be no rain in the forecast.
It was then that things took a turn for the not-so-good. We had hopped on the hay wagon for a ride out to the pumpkin patch and had just made our selections as we stood about discussing the merits of various types of squash when it started to snow. And not just snow. The wind picked up and howled across the field! And there was a blizzard but not gently falling snowflakes. These felt more like shards of glass pummeling us. We all piled back on the hay wagon and the driver set off. I don’t have any shots of these events as by this time I had bundled my camera underneath a rather inadequate jacket, so you’ll just have to picture the scene for yourselves. The wind had reached such a velocity that I thought the wagon was in danger of tipping over and the cold was almost unbearable (many of us were just not suitably dressed for this wintry onslaught.) It’s a strange thing but as horrific as that slow ride back to the farm was, we were all laughing! Even in the worst conditions we were a family, together, out to have some fun and by gosh, we were determined to make the best of it!
By the time we got home, the blizzard had stopped (naturally) and we settled down to enjoy the rest of the day. Unfortunately the camera wasn’t functioning too well after being caught in the storm so I abandoned the picture-taking for other fun pursuits. For more on the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge go to Just For Fun
Seeing the world through a child’s eyes can very often help us to appreciate the magic in the little things in life. I know my grandchildren have given me a whole new perspective on things.
The magic of butterflies. Watching this amazing thing of beauty flutter its wings and take its first flight. Keep very still little brother and perhaps it will rest on your shoulder.
The magic of flowers. Who knew there were so many lovely colors and cool smells! I wonder if there are any fairies at the bottom of this garden.
The magic of exploration. Which way shall we go? It’s a big world out there and who knows what we might find! A magic kingdom perhaps.
The magic of music. What a great new sound! Now he’s in his 20’s and playing guitar in his own band. Still making musical magic.
Halloween magic. Catching sight of his reflection in a shop window. Wow! Look! There’s a kangaroo just like me!
The magic of unconditional love. A quiet moment shared with a best friend. Someone to tell all those secrets to.
For more on the Weekly Photo Challenge go to https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/magic/
Today’s subject for Jennifer Nichole Wells’ Halloween Challenge is gate, and I must admit that I had to dig deep into the photo files to come up with something for this one. Plenty of doors but not many gates.
A gate leading into the little flower garden at Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Two gates leading into the English Walled Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois.
I’m guessing these may have originally been gates although there is now a bench positioned right in front of them. Possibly decorated with Chihuly glass pieces, they were at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St Louis.
A beautiful wrought-iron gate at the Cuneo Mansion in Vernon Hills, Illinois. For more on Jennifer’s Halloween Challenge go to https://jennifernicholewells.com/2016/10/24/jnws-halloween-challenge-gate/
Decorations are the theme for the day on Jennifer Nichole Wells’ Halloween Challenge. Here are a few that were for sale at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm this month. For more on Jennifer’s Halloween Challenge go to https://jennifernicholewells.com/2016/09/26/jnws-halloween-challenge-2/
Plenty of treats at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm for Jennifer Nichole Wells’ Halloween Challenge today. For more on Jennifer’s Halloween Challenge go to https://jennifernicholewells.com/2016/10/17/jnws-halloween-challenge-treats/
Jennifer Nichole Wells’ Halloween Challenge today calls for tricks. Have you ever tried getting a prize from one of these machines? There’s definitely a trick to it! The claws never seem to close sufficiently to get a grip on anything. For more on Jennifer’s Halloween Challenge go to https://jennifernicholewells.com/2016/10/16/jnws-halloween-challenge-tricks/
Jennifer Nichole Wells has picked vampire/bat for her Halloween Challenge today which means that I must just say a word about my all-time favorite movie vampire, Dracula, as played by the charismatic Christopher Lee. Just hearing his voice made me go weak at the knees! I remember when I was in my early teens, my mother was horrified to find me engrossed in Bram Stoker’s thrilling novel. Apparently she thought it wasn’t particularly nice reading material for a young girl but, as I explained to her, it was a classic, as was Christopher’s portrayal of the infamous vampire.
On a lighter note, I found these family-friendly vampires at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm the other day. For more on Jennifer’s Halloween Challenge go to https://jennifernicholewells.com/2016/09/26/jnws-halloween-challenge-2/
Boo! As in “Surprise!” This isn’t something you see every day at Mickey D’s. Just right for Jennifer Nichole Wells’ Halloween Challenge today. For more on Jennifer’s Halloween Challenge go to https://jennifernicholewells.com/2016/09/26/jnws-halloween-challenge-2/
Today is a monster day for Jennifer Nichole Wells’ Halloween Challenge! If size matters, then here are a couple of monsters! A giant Stay-Puft marshmallow man outside the local hardware store and a mechanical monster eating pumpkins at Goebbert’s Farm. For more on Jennifer’s Halloween Challenge go to https://jennifernicholewells.com/2016/09/26/jnws-halloween-challenge-2/