Across Country: Pumpkin time and harvest things

We've yet to finish unpacking from the move, but that hasn't stopped us from doing some of our most favorite things this fall season. I myself have been to the pumpkin patch twice this year, once with Tim and the second time with my new friends from work. We've dressed Newton, Persie, and Iggy up several times as the pumpkins and bananas they really are. Julian does not play this dress up game, and we do not try to make her, for fear of loosing an eye or something. We've made quite a few delicious meals with root vegetables and lots of butter. Once our stock pot arrives from Virginia, we will be making our butternut squash soup and apple sauce. I made a wreath that should be easily transitioned into a Christmas wreath. We've carved pumpkins and I have saved the seeds in the frig for roasting. We threw together last minute costumes for a party with hair gel and acrylic paint. We've drank about four gallons of cider last month alone, and it doesn't look like we are getting tired of it yet. As for candy(as we are famous for buying gobs of half priced goodies the day after Halloween), let's just say we have amassed quite the collection of Reese's, Twizzlers, Snickers, and Wonka goodies. Three popcorn bowls full. We are ready for winter!

This year was the first time that we tried to give out candy to trick-or-treaters. I say tried because we didn't have a single kid come to our door. We wondered what was up and decided to drive around the neighborhood and look for children (yes, we are aware that this sounds very weird). There were no children to be found! We went to the grocery store that night and actually saw children shopping with their parents instead of collecting candy! What has the world come to?! Both Tim and I were very disappointed to discover that most children now patron shopping malls on Halloween. I guess around here some parents find going door-to-door dangerous. Ridiculous! Our night was spent reminiscing about trick-or-treating and coming home with pillow cases full of sugar. I hear nowadays people are handing out fruit and pencils and dental floss. I hope that the people who give out these atrocious "treats" realize they are ruining Halloween, one of the best holidays for children and candy lovers.

The leaves are changing here and it is so nice. I may have already forgotten what Virginia's autumns look like, but the fall in Oregon is just gorgeous with it's mountains, rivers, and evergreens paired with red, yellow, and orange deciduous trees. It doesn't rain everyday yet, but that time is getting close. For now I am appreciating the blue unblemished skies. It's cold here, but not as cold as it is in Virginia. And the temperature only fluctuates about five degrees over the day and night. Tim and I both have some rain gear now for running and biking, and we are ready for the long gray winter ahead of us. We are still super excited for our trip in less than two months! We have already bought many outfits for the pups to wear while visiting. Hope everyone else is as excited and happy as us!