(3 minute read)

Every October when all the wonderful gourds are everywhere and Halloween candy is in abundance, I start to think about going to the pumpkin patch. I will be totally honest, some years I don’t make. However, I have noticed a trend, I happen to go every two years, and I only know that by the wonderful memories google shares with me. So now instead of being totally disappointed in myself if I didn’t have the time to go one year, now we as a family have set our sights on every two years. Tradition provides an opportunity to celebrate the things that really matter in life and that is time being spent with family and or friends.

We have another place upstate in Warwick, NY and if you haven’t been, it just comes alive in the fall. I would suggest you visit this time of the year especially if you are into the fall foliage. Here is a picture of the fall foliage on the farm.

It all started one weekend when we were out of the city and looking for something to do, Chris suggested apple picking since there were a few orchards around, however tempting that was, what was I going to do with all those apples when you have a kid who is allergic. So, I suggested pumpkin picking. I googled, I use google a lot, and the Wright Family Farm came up (this post wasn’t sponsored by them), and we weren’t too far away so that was the plan and that’s why it’s a tradition now.

The farm is very welcoming and totally set up for visitors. There is a petting zoo, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and a store where you can by homemade treats.

The last two times we visited, we took my niece or my mini me Sharlize. Sharlize although not every talkative, has enjoyed herself every time. We walk around until we find the perfect pumpkin. Then I carve Zachary’s pumpkin and my sister does Sharlize’s. Although my sister Sharmene and I say we are carving the pumpkins for them, it has become a competition for the both of us.

The corn maze is fun, and as you and the kids get separated, you can always steal a kiss with your sweetie (that’s the bonus). Oh, did I mention the hay ride, didn’t do it this visit.

Chris has one requirement from the day’s outing, and that is, he and Zachary recreate the picture from the first time we went to the pumpkin patch. The picture gets printed and placed in its own frame and placed next to each other. The frames reside on his desk at work.

This year it is amazing to see, how much Zach has grown, and now the pumpkins are no longer heavy for him.

He is 14 now and in high school, so he is becoming less interested in the antics at the farm. Zachary was not fully into the picture, but I’m in the business of creating memories, memories he would cherish when he gets older and hopefully wants to continue these traditions with his family.

Traditions strengthens values such as liberty, trust, honesty, personal accountability, and family. Now what to do with all that pumpkin?

October Pumpkin Traditions