Fall is Here...
After a long hot summer in Northern Illinois, we were looking forward to a cool, crisp fall season.
This was only my second time growing a pumpkin patch, and the harvest was so encouraging.
Some of the pumpkins were huge
This is my youngest granddaughter, Molly.
She loves the garden and the pumpkin patch.
Harvesting pumpkins is HEAVY work.
…but our “little work horse” makes bringing them to the farm stand more fun!
Growing pumpkins is NOT very easy… between fungus problems and insects, it can be a real battle.
…but then you pick the beautiful ones.
Or you forget to pick up that old bent up tomato cage…and this happens, lol!
Or the squirrels eat a hole in the top
A few weeks later, I noticed something sticking out of the top of the hole.
The seeds inside the pumpkin had sprouted, lol!
After reading an article about
“THE GOLDEN HOUR”
The hour before sunset being a good time for outdoor pictures, I took a few of my pumpkin patch…
Farm Stand...
Last year, we sold tomatoes.
Using my potting bench for a farm stand worked well.
Even though, we sold out, Lucy thought it would be fun to advertise
….while standing on her horse “Highway”!
That year, we had enough pumpkins to use the wagon for a farm stand.
Should We?
The farm stand had wrapped up for the season, the field had been mowed for the last time.
It was time to start planning our Farm Halloween Hayride and Party, but the pandemic had put doubt in our minds.
For the past two years, everyone stayed home from work, shopping, and school.
Theaters were closed, the stores had drive-thru pickup only.
Would anyone even feel comfortable enough to come to our party?
The Decision Was Made...
After talking to our family, the decision was made to go ahead and have the party.
It would all be outside in the barn and field.
As the R.S.V.P. responses started coming in, it was an overwhelming YES from most families.
Everyone missed regular everyday life!
They were starved for something fun to do with the whole family!
The pressure was on, lol!
The party had to be extra special this year!
Starting Inside...
It was so exciting to be planning a big party after two years of stress and worry.
It would be fun to decorate inside of the house too.
The big bay window in my dining/kitchen area would be a good place to start, then you could see it from the outside too.
Setting the table in Halloween style.
The top of this old white cupboard, is perfect for decorating.
The cupboard is filled with fiestaware, I use it to decorate with on a regular basis.
Fall Fun...
Even after school snacks can be festive on the week of our Halloween Carnival!
The chickens cooperated with beautiful fall colored eggs!
Now for the outside...
The main party was in the barn, but adding things to the hayride route made it “the spooky hayride”
This shabby little barn made a fun prop.
While setting the strobe lights up inside, the oldest grandkids thought it was “kinda lame…not scary at all”
Later that night after it got dark, I said “Lucy, you and Drew go out and turn those strobe lights off for me”
They looked at each other horrified…we’re not going out there alone! Hahahahaha….
Let them at it...
That first Halloween Carnival at the farm, I let the kids do it all the decorating, lol!
It took everything in me not to do it over, hahahaha, but they had so much fun I just let it be.
Tables down the middle of the barn, gave everyone a place to sit for dinner.
The Menu...
Using a turkey roaster, I made homemade macaroni and cheese.
Ken grilled up some hot dogs, and I served fresh pumpkin bars.
A family friendly meal was enjoyed by all.
Costumes...
Ken was a pretty good sport about wearing the “Mr and Mrs Potato Head costume I made, lol!
My niece Lexi, gave me a Cinderella costume she had worn a few years back…
2021...
This year I found these table clothes at Aldi!
I couldn’t wait to set up the barn using them.
We cleaned off Ken’s work bench for the food table
Both sides of the barn were used.
Wooden wire spools turned on their sides, work great for make shift tables.
Games...
- Details about the party organization, tips and more on Part One.
- Here’s the link: https://sweetteayankeefarm.com/?p=3095
Each child was given a ticket for each game.
They “paid” their ticket and had that game marked off their list.
Reaching into a nose, trying to find a token in cold spaghetti was a riot to watch.
Old fashioned “Fishing Game” is one of the favorites.
Learning Still...
Over the years we have learned to streamline things somewhat.
My best friends come early to set up a table out front that has the kids loot bags, tickets and game lists.
We have the kids write their names on everything!
This has saved many tears, when they realize they have misplaced their bag and tickets, lol.
New Exhibit...
The oldest grandkids wanted something new and exciting and decided to make a small haunted house from a little building we had.
They actually did a great job on it.
It was closed until dark…the guests had to go inside to claim their “full size candy bar”…you would have thought it was a million dollars!
All the kids lined up to pay their ticket and wait their turn.
Molly, only 5 years old… asked her cousin Lucy to hold her hand while she went in to get her candy bar.
Lucy said she held Molly’s hand while Molly held her other hand over her eyes, lol, but she got her candy!
The Parties Over...
Our bi-annual Halloween Carnival won’t be for another two years…
…..Wait a minute.
A few weeks ago, Lucy (6th grade) comes up to me and says
“ Drew (her cousin, same age) and I are probably going to out grow the Halloween Carnival by the time you have it next time….we’ll be in the 7th grade.
But we aren’t to old for it THIS year! So you better just have it again in the fall hahahaha….
Guess what?
We are having the Carnival again this year, 2022.
One year all the grandkids will “out grow it”
…but we will have the sweet memories of days at the farm and so will they.
Next Time at the Farm:
When Halloweens over around here….it’s Christmas time!
Fondly, Sandy
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