the first four

Four pumpkins from this year's crop of eight have been carved. But none by me; instead, these were done by my children and their friends...

Label : jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins

| boy |

countdown to halloween: ghosts of halloween past

Battening down the hatches for three days of wind and rain. It could be worse. I could wake up to find my pumpkins looking like this: Here...

Label : halloween memories, jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins

| boy |

casualty

So while I'm relieved that my outdoor props came through the season's first storm mostly unscathed, I know that this is only the beg...

Label : pumpkins

| boy |

countdown to halloween: ghosts of halloween past

As I gradually put the pieces in place for this year's yard haunt, I sometimes reflect on yard haunts past.  I believe this photograph c...

Label : halloween memories, projects, pumpkins

| boy |

all pumpkin, no spice

At this time of year, I have a weakness for pumpkin-spiced . . . anything. Lattes, fudge, muffins, cheesecake. I've tried it all. So whe...

Label : pumpkins, treats

| boy |

harvest

The whole crop of 2014.  Harvested and reclining on the front porch.

Label : pumpkins, pumpkins progress

| boy |

countdown to halloween: ghosts of halloween past

This photograph was taken in October of 2008, the last year we drove to Kentville for October's Pumpkin People Festival. Several years o...

Label : halloween memories, pumpkins

| boy |

number one

The first pumpkin out of the garden and onto the step.

Label : pumpkins, pumpkins progress

| boy |

pumpkin envy

Locally grown pumpkins have begun to appear around the city. Large and bright orange and perfectly shaped. Professional pumpkins. Making me ...

Label : pumpkins

| boy |

the underdog

One month ago, the situation was bleak. I had returned from vacation in late July to a front-yard pumpkin patch of despair. Small plants. Fe...

Label : pumpkins, pumpkins progress

| boy |

countdown to halloween: the final five

Considering how many fledgling pumpkins died on the vine this summer, I'm grateful to have these five potential jack-o-lanterns. Here, t...

Label : jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins, pumpkins progress

| boy |

countdown to halloween: last in line

This year's front yard pumpkin crop totaled five future jack-o-lanterns. Most larger than in past years but fewer in number. All have be...

Label : pumpkins, pumpkins progress

| boy |

porch pumpkins

The first of the front yard pumpkin crop. Relaxing on the porch.

Label : pumpkins

| boy |

garlic and pumpkins

One of the first things I saw as I arrived at last weekend's Garlicfest. Garlic and Halloween seem like a natural combination.

Label : pumpkins, road trips

| boy |

the leader

I've hesitated before posting pictures of my front yard pumpkin patch throughout the summer because so many fledgling pumpkins died on t...

Label : pumpkins, pumpkins progress

| boy |

false start

So, realizing that September has begun and Starbucks has in all likelihood begun serving up its pumpkin spice lattes once again, I stopped i...

Label : beverages, pumpkins

| boy |

death comes to the pumpkin patch

It's been an all-too-familiar story in my front yard pumpkin patch this season. Flower appears. Pumpkin begins to grow. Pumpkin withers ...

Label : pumpkins, pumpkins progress

| boy |

it's healthy, but is it Halloween?

In the unlikely event that I tire of miniature candy bars in the weeks leading up to Halloween, I suppose I can fall back on these. Not sur...

Label : ghosts, pumpkins

| boy |

albino no more

Among my front yard pumpkin crop of eleven, there appeared one pumpkin that didn't quite seem to fit in.  While the others started out g...

Label : jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins, pumpkins progress

| boy |

halloween night

It didn't look promising. We weren't in the direct path of Hurricane Sandy. But we got wrapped up in its outer bands. Outer bands of...

Label : candy, cemeteries, Costumes, halloween memories, jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins, treats, witches, zombies

| boy |