Pumpkin Picking

Week Forty

October 3, 2015

Annual pumpkin picking the first week of October.  (Also one week before we are married!)

Pumpkin Patch

Week Forty

October 4, 2014

^^It's far from being the best photo or the photo I had in mind when trying to take it.  (I was rushed, had people waiting to get on the tractor, and used my lumpy backpack on a seat that was way too close as a tripod.) But it's perfect in its own way.  It has the three people I love most in this world.

My family is so good.  They put up with my crazy ideas and traditions.   This is my forth year doing my 52 week project.  This is my forth year going to pick pumpkins at the orchard.  And this is the forth year that this has all happened on the exact same week each year.  

We made it as quick and painless as possible.  This was the first time we went on a Saturday, which wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting, but we couldn't drive our car up to the pumpkin patch like we've done every other year.  It's a somewhat long walk so we decided to pay for the hay ride this year.  (A hay ride without any hay...)  Unfortunately we didn't get to walk around as much as we did previous years, and I felt a little bit rushed, but we got some great pumpkins so I guess it doesn't really matter.

^^Team work.  Dad can't carry heavy things because he is suffering from a broken collar bone and mom can't carry much because her asthma has gone into high gear this year. 

I love comparing the years, so below is a  little description about how each year has differed:

In 2011 it was the first year doing my 52 week project and the first year we went to the pumpkin patch.  Ok, not the first time ever, but the first time in a really long time.  I remember laughing as dad claimed he found the best looking pumpkin; the one that looked like it had exploded.  The weather was perfect and felt like fall had arrived.   We had so much fun goofing around that we decided we would do this each year.

In 2012 things were a little different.  Dad was recovering from his second bone morrow transplant and couldn’t go.  It was just me and mom.  We had fun, but we wished dad could go with us to because we know he secretly liked going last year.  It was a little bittersweet.  This time the weather was chilly and coats were definitely needed.

In 2013.  The cancer is coming back but things are still ‘normal’.  This year is was hot and humid.  We had a large storm come through in the morning and it left the farm a little muddy, but it didn’t stop us from picking pumpkins.  Just like last year dad found the best looking pumpkin.  This one looked like it had exploded, been turned inside out and baked in an over.  Dakota came with us and he found the three largest pumpkins on the farm.

This year, 2014, Dakota and I are engaged.  (Next year we will be a week away from getting married!)  Dad's still battling cancer and has a broken collar bone as a result of the cancer growing after not being on chemo for 6 months earlier this year.  However, he has recently started a new treatment plan and seems to be doing alright.  Mom has been dealing with asthma and was having some troubles breathing, but nothing too bad.  She was still very happy to come with us and keep the tradition going.  This year was also very, very cold.  You can't tell, but I have three layers of long sleeves on.  So very different from the year before.  

At the Pumpkin Patch

Week 40

October 4, 2012

This year it was just me and mom.  I wish dad could have come too because we had such a good time last year.  But, he couldn’t.  And that is ok, because he is healing and that is the biggest thing I could ask of him.

This year it was just me and mom.  And we had a good time.  Wondering around the patch searching for that one pumpkin.  (Or three.)  The ones we picked aren’t perfect, but they are perfect in their own special way.  

The photo with the face makes me laugh.  I'm not one known to make weird faces, especially on command.  Apparently that is what I think about getting mud on my hands.  And then last, but not least, one more.  This is probably my favorite.  

Check here to see last year's pumpkin patch fun.  I have to laugh, both were on week 40, on almost the same day.  I'm wearing the same outfit (different scarf and a jacket this time...it was cold!)  And the sky was very similar.  And this was so totally not planned.  Guess I'll have to keep up with the tradition.  Or at least going to the pumpkin patch during week 40 :)

2011 Memories

1.  Me: My most proud accomplishment | Graduating from college. (December)

2.  I Love You | My sweet pup, Abby.  She puts a smile on my face each and every day.  (BTW she is giving kisses to baby.)

3.  Still Laughing | Dad making silly faces on our way to Branson.  This makes me laugh every time I see it.  (August)

4.  Winter Wonderland | Abby enjoying the winter snow.  (January)

5.  Birthday | I turned 22 in 2011.  (February)

6.  Friends | The crazy people I love.  At Kenzie's wedding in May.

7.  I Was Inspired | I created my own 'bulletin board'.  I have posted comments I've gotten on this blog, quotes, and a few things that just make me happy.  I post things that keep my inspired to keep going with my photography and reminders on how I should live life.

8.  Spring Fever | This is probably one of my favorite photos I've taken this year.  I can't put my finger on it, but it just seems peaceful and simple and beautiful.

9.  Travel/ Vacation | In June I went to visit my best friend (and old neighbor) in Virginia.  We also spent a day running around DC.  In August, my family took a trip to Branson to visit some family friends.  It was such a nice trip to get away and relax a little bit.  In November, my friend Jody and I went to Madison to visit our other friend Mallory.  While we were there we took a day trip to Chicago. It was the first time I'd ever been and it was so much fun!  That girls trip was definitely needed!

10.  Summer Days | It was a hot summer.  I don't know if this would sum up my summer in one photo, but I like it all the same.  Plus it seems summery.

11.  A Day In My Life | I participated in a 12of12 project.  You take 12 photos that document your day on the 12th day of each month.  This was my favorite photo project of the year by far.  I love the outcome and seeing each month side by side.  You can see all of them here.

12.  All Smiles | This picture makes me laugh every time I see it.  Dad was being funny when picking out pumpkins.  I think he picked a winner!

13.  Autumn Harvest | This just screams fall to me.  Pumpkins.  Boots.  Field.  Scarf.  Need I say more?

14.  Family /Home | I love my family more than anything. (January)

15.  Celebrate | Celebrating a huge milestone.  Story.

16.  Let's Do It Again | I really enjoyed my 52 week portrait project and I intend to continue it for many years to come!

17.  I Miss You | My family lost 2 wonderful men this year.  My Uncle Bobby, and my Grandpa Hower.  Story.  Story.

18.  Beautiful | I just think this is a beautiful photo.

19.  Dress Up | At the Delta Sigma Pi formal (November)

20.  Macro

21.  Holidays | Christmas Tree, Ornaments, Reflection of twinkle lights....

22.  My Favorite | I just really love this photo.  I took it when my family went to the pumpkin patch in October.  It was such a fun and new experience.  It was a good day and it started a new tradition that I plan to keep for years to come.

23.  Don't Ever Change | I hope that no matter what life throws me, I will forever have a positive outlook on life.

24.  Just Because | I don't know why, but I love everything about this photo.

25.  Hopes and Dreams | This year was very difficult for our family.  Actually, the last 19 months have been very difficult.  I just hope that 2012 is a little nicer on our family.  We could really use a lot more laughter.  (Sorry to keep using the pumpkin patch photos, but there are some of my absolute favorite from this year!  Dad was acting so goofy and making funny faces at me.)

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Scavenger Hunt Sunday | October 8, 2011

Landscape

A photo I took while photographing a wedding.

Color Wheel

Black and White

I know this doesn't follow the typical black and white photo, but I had to leave it in color because I loved the little spec of green grass in his mouth.  It was there the entire photo shoot and I thought it brought a lot to his personality...I'm assuming.  (I'm counting this as black and white because the cow is black and the background is pretty much white.  I figured that counted!)




 

Food

Recipe found here.

Blank Space

Week 40 | October 7, 2011

In the blank space and vast openness of a pumpkin field.





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A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

For my 52 week portrait project this week I wanted to go pick pumpkins.  This is not a tradition for us by any means.  And to be honest, I felt like a little kid for wanting to do this.  I don't think mom and dad were into the idea very much, but I wasn't going to go out there by myself so they got dragged along.

And it turned out to be a wonderful little trip.

I enjoyed it.  Mom enjoyed it.  And dad enjoyed it.  Our Friday turned into a fun new adventure.  A memory made.  (And possibly a tradition in the future?!)