A taste of our favorite place on earth...

...in October. The Galloping Grace Youth Ranch Pumpkin Patch. For the past 2 years we have been blessed to be a part of it. But not this year. Oh how painful it was to buy pumpkins from the grocery store. That is just wrong! I used to walk past the big pumpkin bins at walmart and glance at them with distaste, muttering things like, "ours are better", and "why would anyone buy pumpkins from a store?!?".

This year, I had to actually buy some. From a store. Not from walmart though. I walked past those, muttering under my breath. But when we peeked into the pumpkin bin at Publix, the pumpkins looked okay. Then I saw it. The sticker on each pumpkin. Could it be? Really? Here out in far east South Carolina?!? ?? ?



Heaven sent, those pumpkins were. Kelsey fervently exclaimed that the Wades sold them to Publix for us to buy. Well, maybe not, but close enough. We quickly picked out the 3 best (ie closest to the top) pumpkins and placed them in our cart. Now pumpkin carving could take place. All was (closer to) right with the world. At least our little corner. Which is so far from their little corner.

That was yesterday. Let's go back a few days. Trish asked me for my address in an email. I responded, jokingly adding, are you sending me some pumpkins? HA! Little, oh how little did I know. They did better than that. They sent me the pumpkin patch!

When the mail truck came by, we were eating lunch. I saw it from the table. Thought nothing of it until I noticed the mail lady walking up the driveway. I got to the front door and was greeted by a huge box on the porch. I saw Koester and suddenly remembered that she asked for my address. That was fast, and what in the world...?!?

Much excitement ensued as I grabbed a knife and opened the box. As soon as I saw what was inside I just started crying. No warning, nothing. Just lost it. Those girls do that to me every time. I was really missing them and missing the time we used to spend at the patch. Especially since we just bought our pumpkins and decorated for Fall.

They literally sent us a taste of the patch! The new country store is apparently offering a variety of local (NM) goodies to complement their usual offerings of thousands of pumpkins, gourds, and other Fall items. I have enjoyed the privilege of being a small part of it through designing their new website, brochures and signs. I also came up with a simple shirt design, which they are also selling. Fun!

Anyway, here are some of the treats in the box:



They also threw in shirts for each of us, and a cozy soft sweatshirt that I am wearing right now <3





Kelsey is wearing the one I designed. I love how it came out! That is our neighbor next to her. Grant is checking out the jalapeno jam and wondering how spicy it is. I think we'll find out tomorrow morning!

There was some local cherry cider.


Which I am enjoying right now.


I must say, it is yummy. Shhh, I didn't tell the kids I opened it. LOL.

Coffee. Cannot. wait. til. morning.


Local jams. I've had Heidi's before from the Corrales farmer's market. I already know how good that is. I'm guessing it will be perfect on toast with a cuppa pinon coffee. Oh and the pinon cocoa. The kids noticed that right away. Grant opened it and it smells wonderful! Might have to hide it.



There were gourds, Indian corn, stickers, and candy. Sopaipilla mix...OMG! A sweet note from the bestest friends anyone could ask for.

Thank you so much, Trish, Michelle & Max, and Melissa. I love you guys. So much! Thanks for sharing the fun with me. I wish I could share some of the hard work you guys are doing too.