Jeff's Stuff: October 2007

Our Pumpkin!

Ok, I can't wait any more - this is the end result of our pumpkin carving!

I'm pleased! And it looks pretty cool at night too:

Now I can't wait for the trick-or-treaters!

Pumpkin Carving with Jeff

Today was Pumpkin Carving Day around here! So, our little 20-pound gourd was brought in from the garage and given center stage on the kitchen table!

For me, the first thing I do is pick out a pattern. I went with the skull. But since the template was too small, my first task was to make a bigger template.

After cutting off the top of the pumpkin (quick poll - what do you do: cut off the top or access from the bottom?), I started carving.

I think it turned out well, but will save the finished version for a Halloween post :)

Meantime, Joe and I both passed the Minnesota driver's license "knowledge test". We still can't believe we had to take a written test to get our licenses here. Every other state just checked our eyes and asked for a check! And the test was long - 36 questions! Sheesh!

We got 32 right. I started freaking out after getting the very first question wrong! Not a real confidence-builder =:o

A foggy morning....

It was a great foggy morning a week and a half ago:

From our vantage point on top of the hill, we were able to watch this move in and envelop the entire neighborhood!

Now it's just getting cold. And they are throwing around the "S" word for week after next. Guess we better start looking for a shovel!

I Is Ready!

Fluffy has picked out his Halloween costume!

Now I just need to specially train him to grab candy bags and run.....

The Great Pumpkin of 2007 Has Arrived!

Today we picked out our pumpkin at Pahl's, a local farmer's market:

She weighs in at 20 pounds - not too bad! And she sits well, which is key!

I've started to look for pumpkin carving designs, and so far, these are my favorites....a skull:

...or a scary face:

Has anyone every tried any super-tough designs?

Update: This was the pumpkin we carved in 2005:

More Oddities

While we were out and about apple picking in Wisconsin, we stopped at one of the local farmer's market:

I remembered this place from previous trips with Joe's family, and asked that we add this stop to our itinerary. They just have alot of neat stuff.

In addition to pumpkins and other seasonal items like this:

...they also have some very amusing items:

The hole in the middle of the alligators is for a glass fish bowl! Now that would be a great conversation piece. And only $74.99!

And, for the "You never know what you will stumble across in your own backyard" file, we found this on the backroads not too far from where we live:

And no, I can't explain it. I did not see the name on the building behind it. I just might make Joe take a road trip with me to find out....

A Great Toy Store!

Today was Apple Picking Day! Woo! I've been looking forward to this ever since we got word we'd be moving back. It's a great tradition that Joe's family does every year down towards Winona, MN, and over to La Crosse, WI.

I'll post apple picking-related pictures later, but first, the real fun! Part of the tradition is stopping off at Lark Toys in Kellogg, MN:

It's a fun place to visit, whether you are an adult or a kid! This time, they had the waterfalls at their mini-golf course flowing with this amazing cotton-candy-like water:

But the most amazing thing about this place is the carousel inside. It is just incredible and the most unique one I've ever seen. Just check out these hand-carved carousel animals:

Rides are only $1 - we didn't ride it, but one of these years, I think we will!

On the apple front, we ended up with 39 pounds of apples! For the 2 of us! Oh my....I guess we know what we will be having for the next month!

Will It Ever End...?

The rain, that is. We've had ALOT of rain this week. If it were snow, I think we would have had 20 feet! Now that would be cool!

This led to some great cloud shots this morning outside the front of the house: