I think I froze my pumpkins off today

It was 60 degrees outside when we left the house. It was 49 when we got there. I was really wishing I was back in the toasty warm car. Merrilee's first words once she got out of the car were "I'm really glad you brought us, Mom, but I'm ready to leave." This from a girl who had waited three days to find out what the surprise was.

This was our second annual autumn trip to Forrest Hall Farm, and last year we had gorgeous weather. I kind of thought today would be the same, since it started out sunny and headed into the 60s. But it started to get breezy before we left the house, and I felt like making a treat of hot chocolate to take in a thermos just for fun. As it turned out, it was a much-needed thawing agent when we were done with the hay ride and corn maze.

I detest corn mazes. I don't know what it is about them. I have never seen any of those scary movies involving corn fields that consume people. But for some reason the thought of wandering aimlessly through a field of corn with the prospect of getting oneself lost is completely abhorrent to me. Maybe my parents can shed some light on this aversion of mine (Mom? Dad? Is there something you need to tell me?). I never knew I found corn fields repulsive until I had children who wanted to run through tall dry stalks of rotting corn. Anyway, I did it, but only for the sake of the children. I didn't feel quite so helpless and honestly, I believed Jacob could find our way out if we really did get lost. I never would have done it on my own.

The kids had the most fun running and jumping off the straw bales. Jacob also got to feed the goats. Merrilee had her hands too deep in her pockets to care about them much. Once we were done with the obligatory fun, we headed to the farm store where we grabbed a peck of apples, picked out our "complimentary pumpkin" that came with the paid fun, and headed back to the car for the hot chocolate. We were warming up just as the rain started, and boy was I glad we were on our way home. It was fun, but not as fun as just being home in our cozy warm house with a roof over our heads. Hurray for autumn and pumpkin farms, but thanks be to God for my warm home!

Blessings,

Petrie