A Pumpkin Patch Gathering

What is a PPG? This year it was an opportunity to greet old friends and make some new ones, a time to enjoy people, activities, location and more..

She was the cutest little pumpkin in the patch.

What a party! Four generations of energetic guests tromped through the field, searching for the perfect pumpkin.

Everyone took a moment to pose for their annual photo. It's fun to page through the photo albums from the previous ten years of PPGs.

The alpaca were irresistible, whether you chose to feed, pet or just admire the pack. The animals eagerly made friends with anyone with a handful of feed. They were gentle, but their teeth and hooves were a little scary. 

A German Oompah Band kept our toes tapping and our wings flapping as they filled the air with music, even yodeling! Young and old, people loved the Chicken Dance.

Demand was high for a seat on the hay ride.

Family and guests filled the barn to sip and nosh away on tempting treats.

It was a wonderful afternoon in a gorgeous setting, all 50+ acres of it. Showers teased us with occasional droplets, but the heavy rainstorm wasn't invited to this party.

While not actually part of the Pumpkin Patch, the river is just across the road.

Thank you, Rick and Pat, for inviting us all to this very special event. 

Welcome Home

Cookies by Hilary

We enjoyed some good adventures on our 2011 cruise, nonetheless it felt good to return home last week. The trip south from the boat was routine, usually a good thing when you'e on the road. We have run this route so often it seems like our SUV runs on autopilot. (Note: that's my opinion, not necessarily the driver's.) We cleared U.S. Customs at the border in record time and motored on, pausing for a visit with some good friends along the route. 


At home we opened the door to a special treat. Niece Hilary was there to welcome us with a hug, a big smile and a table of treats. The platter of homemade, hand-decorated cookies said it all. Thank you, Hilary.

We've been home for a week and are now focused on life ashore instead of life afloat. The cookies may be long gone, but that warm, welcome-home feeling remains as we reconnect with friends and our Seattle life..