Homemade Pumpkin Patch

Finally, the best season of the year for us Midwesterners….Autumn!  Truly, is there anything better than sleeping with your windows open?  Wearing boots, sweatshirts, and thick, cozy sweaters?  How about sipping on a warm apple cider or Pumpkin Latte?  It just does not get any more beautiful with the colors of the leaves and bright blue skies here in Minnesota!  For me, it has always been primetime crafting season as well.

Although it seems like I am jumping the gun, by mid August, I am already turning ideas into realities.  Which brings me to my homemade pumpkin patch.  Many years ago, probably 12-14, I wanted to start making  a new pumpkin  each year, with recycled material.  Thus, began the the hunt for unique sweaters, upholstery fabric and blankets to construct these iconic fall decorations.  Each year I found a different fabric, from thrift stores or garage sales and would make a full patch of pumpkins.  What was really fun was when I had friends over, for whatever reason, I would let them pick a pumpkin from my patch and tell them “happy Fall y’all”.

 Over the years, my patch has grown and they look pretty awesome together on my coffee table.  As a side note, which I really think is pretty darn sweet, my son, Chris, who is 21, looks forward to setting up the homemade pumpkin patch every Fall.  He even goes so far as to inquire what the “pumpkin” will be for the year.  Part of the reason I made the decision to make a pumpkin every year was for my kids.  I felt like it was easy  to uphold (because I adore creating)  and one that gave them something to look forward to and to understand the importance of family traditions.   I believe that family traditions are beliefs and customs that gave my children a strong foundation about the notion of passing something down and how our family has evolved and most importantly, their place in this evolution.  It gives them something to be a part of, understand and make a connections with as they move through their lives and begin to grow their own family.

In my humble opinion, every family needs their own traditions, no matter how small.  I guess ours began with a small pumpkin and turned into a patch we enjoyed sharing !  Enjoy this glorious season and start or continue your family traditions!

TaTa,

Lola