Project 365 - Our Pumpkin Patch Photo Shoot

Photos have been lacking hear since I became pregnant. Luckily, my energy seems to be coming back a little more each day.

Last month we did have a chance to get out and snap some photos of the kids in the pumpkin patch. I'm not ready to post the actually pics we will be using for our holiday cards or gifts, but my son was busy enjoying the camera so I will give you a tiny peak at that.

The pumpkins haven't lasted the wet weather around here, but I was glad to get in a few pics while we could. It actually seemed like a fabulous year for the pumpkins. They were big, beautiful and stayed dry enough to not begin rotting before Halloween. The kids love our annual trip down to the pumpkin patch. This time we didn't bring home any squash, we just stopped in for some pictures and were back with friends to actually select our yearly decorations.

I had the T-shirts made for each of the kids by The Pecking Order by Zoe's Attic on Etsy. Completely open for customization  I was able to request the tractor be orange (since my FIL has a thing about the green John Deere style!) and they even fit on my nephew's entire name without a problem. They did such a great job on the prints. Be sure to check out their Christmas shirt designs, as well.

The group shots turned out adorable and I can't wait to show them off.

Do you do family photos every year? I am glad that my husband has the patience to wrangle the kids every year.  At least this time around it wasn't my kids that were crying. Next year should be interesting as we will have another tiny one to incorporate into our tradition.

Project 365 - Time for a Tea Party!

Nothing is more magical than introducing kids to the fun of tea parties in the afternoon.

With a tiny tea set, peppermint tea, milk and sugar, a few fun hats, feather boas and stuffed friends it is the perfect time to chat and giggle together. I have my own fond memories of tea parties with a babysitter and now I am ready to pass that on to my own children. Sometimes it is the simplest things we hold onto through life.

What are your fondest memories? Have you shared or recreated them with your own children?

Project 365 - Fall on the Horizon?

Nothing could have made me happier than this little squash delivery today!

If you are one of my Washyoku loving friends you might recognize the kabocha. One will probably end up as soup and other will be steamed with a bit of soy sauce and sugar. Oh, yum! If any is left over, though I seriously doubt it, it will be put to good use as tempura or grilled on the BBQ as I wave farewell to Summer.

Project 365 - Crafting is my Super Power!

Gearing up for good 'ole Oregon rain, my crafty side has come out to play.

My kids love playing dress-up and I saw this pattern on last night's visit to Joann's Fabric. Now I have to work on a Spider Man tutu for my daughter's costume and also some random masks for our dress-up stash. I also picked up extra felt from the bolt for pirate hats and eye patches for my son's upcoming 5th birthday. I am so excited to carve out a little time to get crafty.

Do you have any projects you are working on right now? Does the idea of Fall cause you to catch the crafting bug as well?

Project 365 - Don't Get Me Started on the Deer!

This is chard...

Or should I say what is left over when deer come for dinner. Ugh.

I went out to weed a few rows of chard and this is all I found. Evidence there were plants, but the deer got to them first. They also took out the butter head lettuce I was trying this year.

The next time you admire some deer in the countryside, and I find them beautiful myself, remember they aren't the most considerate of dinner guests. In fact, since there aren't enough predators to control their numbers on farm land, they are just pests. Sorry, Bambi. You are not welcome here.

Project 365 - Collecting Sunflower Seeds

Every year I plant decorative sunflowers as a border in my garden. I love how cheery and colorful they are watching over my little vegetable garden.

Growing up I remember my Dad planting them every year. We were never able to eat the seeds before the birds or or neighbors helped themselves.

This year my kids helped me plan sunflowers. They weren't the usual decorative, small flowers. It quickly became obvious these guys were going to be massive! Out of 6 seeds, only 2 grew to full size but the heads were so big they hung down smiling on my cucumbers.

I think because the heads drooped so low, the birds never knew what treasure was waiting underneath. Today I decided to cut them and set them up to dry.

The seeds are huge! ...and though I don't have a lot of experience with raw sunflower seeds, these are  addicting. After drying I want to figure out how to dry and roast them. I have big plans for these plump little seeds and finally I got to them before anybody else.

Project 365 - My Silly Kiddos

While waiting my kids hammed it up for the camera. Sometimes the impromptu photo shoot are much more interesting!

And just as fast as the fun began... it wasn't fun anymore.

One chair, two little kids... it couldn't last forever!

Project 365 - Bye-Bye Pie Cherries...

...and that was the last of them. Simmered into pie filling and savored. Till next year dear cherries.

Project 365 - U-Pick with Grandma

One of our favorite Summer activities is to go pick fruit or veggies in the field. With Grandma visiting for the week we headed out to share the fun with her.

We started by searching for ripe cherry tomatoes. Warm, red and juicy we sampled a few as we picked.

My son didn't want to leave till we had a few green beans to snack on. The kids like them raw and freshly picked.

This is my favorite part of Summer, eating fresh veggies right off the vine.

Does your family enjoy U-Pick in your area? What did you pick this year?

Project 365 - Guinea Fowl Funnies

A face only a Mother could love?

...or maybe just a Guinea Fowl enthusiast?

My little watchdogs are all grown up and very noisy! It's okay, we live out in the country and surrounded by farm land. I posted a pic of these guys a few months ago with they were still keets.

Now my little puff-balls are all grown... and much different looking.

Why do I keep the Guinea Fowl? They keep a watch on the yard and honk loudly if there are intruders. I am hoping they can warn me if another fox decides to come calling. They also eat ticks, snacks and chase away small rodents.

Even though they might look a little "funny", I love watching them move around the yard. They are not aggressive and quite curious. They are fowl, so a little skiddish.

Have you ever seen or heard Guinea Fowl in person?

Project 365 - Time for Tea!

The best part about a visit from Grandma is tea party time!

With cookies and tea ... and plenty of silly antics!

It is fun to see how happy the kids are with creative play and their new playmate.

What was your favorite activity you did with your Grandmother?  Your fondest memory?

Project 365 - Dry Rub?

Just two days before there was a plant in this pot... cilantro. I guess the little roosters decided it would make a better dirt bath spot.

I couldn't help but giggle at the thought of cilantro chicken. No, I don't eat my birds, they are just for laying ... but, it did cross my mind. In truth I love seeing what the birds are up to around the yard.

Project 365 - Can You Smell Summer?

I can...

and from our fields it smells a lot like ripe cantaloupe!

Project 365 - Always Small...

No matter how big or independent they become...

The sight of my sleeping child reminds me how small and precious my baby boy is. I don't think time will ever change that feeling.

Project 365 - Construction Concentration

I love seeing how my son's creative play changes over time. Just last year it was enough to build the wooden track and race his trains around. Now it is more about the construction site itself and using his machines to build and create his train track.

The best apart about the imagination is the more you use it, the better it gets!

Project 365 - Work Break

After a hard day on the tractor, a popsicle really hits the spot!

Project 365 - At the Office with Daddy

Do your kids visit their Dad at work?

Mine do!

"Step into my office, guys". The kids don't wait to be asked twice.

The view is constantly changing, the office is rather cramped and dusty...

but the kids sit listening and taking it all in.

Big smiles when they return from their adventures tell me they love going to work with their Dad. Not everyday is as exciting as getting a quick ride on the bale wagon, but everyday is something new and exciting.

Do you ever take your kids to work?