Harvest Festival

After what seemed like weeks of rain, we enjoyed the most spectacular fall weekend.  The weather was nothing short of perfection... cool and sunny.  We had planned a farm family picnic celebrating autumn harvest for Sunday, and Mother Nature did her very best to deliver a stellar day!

The plans included a meal in the pavilion, games, and pumpkin picking.

The meal included white chicken chili with an assortment of toppings, bison BBQ on brioche rolls, baked beans in a homemade bourbon bbq sauce, veggies, fruit, and cornbread baked in the pizza oven. 

 I had baked an apple harvest cake from our farm-grown apples, and a pumpkin chocolate chip loaf with chocolate ganache (from a homegrown butternut squash), and decorated shortbread cookies (leaves and pumpkins).  Baking and cooking for my family is definitely one of my love languages.  I love to feed the people I love!

We had a wonderful afternoon.  

The kids cooked their own hotdogs over the fire pit.

Children bring such enthusiasm and energy to the farm.

Everything is better and brighter when seen through the eyes of a child.

Even the animals love the farm just a little more when children are here.

We finally harvested all of the pumpkins that had grown out of the compost pile.

I would not be exaggerating, to say that we picked at least 150 pumpkins.  

Everyone took pumpkins home, 

And after everyone took what they wanted, 

we delivered pumpkins to all of our neighbors and put a few in our market cart.

I honestly think it might have been the most fun part of the day!

At the end of the day... this Grammie had such a full, (tired), and happy heart.

Making s'mores is a requisite part of any farm picnic... something the kids always love to do.

This little guy had a blast having so many kids here to play with!

Thanks to all of our family and farm family for making the weekend a special one!

So many smiles, so much laughter, so much love.