Monday 19 October 2009

Stem Picking

Pumpkin picking is all about the stem isn't it? Or maybe the shape? Or maybe the color? No, for me, it's the stem. Even if the color is a nice, saturated deep orange, and the shape round as a basketball; even if it's one of those funky blue-gray pumpkins or a striped orange-white one, if the stem isn't good (or worse, no stem at all!), I'll move on to the next pumpkin. It's definitely the stem that determines the pumpkin for me.




The real star of pumpkin picking today, though, was Lois. What a cutie in the pumpkin patch! Today we went to Clancy's Pumpkin Patch. We wanted Lois to pick out her very first pumpkin. Actually last year, when she was just about two weeks old, we took her to a pumpkin patch (our first big day out with baby), but she was way too itty bitty to pick one.

She didn't care much about picking one out today either, but she had fun poking the pumpkins and trying to eat them.

Do you like her little gray shawl? I made it from an old cashmere sweater of mine. I've had the sweater for about 10 years now, but it's a little too snug for me.

Every year, for the past few years, I try it on hoping it will fit again. But it's always too tight. I could wear it standing, but sitting my tire's ready to hit the road. A tight cashmere tummy tire. Um, no thanks.

It was time to become something else, or go to someone else. I thought a shawl for Lois would be sweet, especially since I loved it so much and had it so long. I snipped off the arms, eyeballed a shawl sort of shape, pinned it and sewed the little shawl. And with some of the scraps I made a flower with a wooden button in the center.

We found our favorite pumpkin.

8 comments:

Thrifted Treasure said...

Lovely photos! Your little one is so cute and I love her little shawl!

nath said...

oh, i do so love a nice pumpkin. and Lois looks a picture in her beautiful shawl - what clever re-purposing!

Courtney said...

Lois is just charming. She looks so cozy in her little shawl - perfect for a day at the pumpkin patch!

caroline said...

so dern cute

littlebyrd said...

I LOVE Lois's shawl! Fun times :)

neha said...

such gorgeous photos! especially the one with your little one sitting on the pumpkin!

Timeless Treasures, San Francisco said...

Every time I pop by to see your photos and stories, I end up smiling and saying to myself, "Oh you are sooooo talented, Leigh!" and of course Lois is adorable! The repurposed cashmere sweater is delicious! What a great idea. And she looks cozy, too.
Joan

A. said...

i totally hear you on the cashmere tummy tire -- no no -- i love your solution. genius! I also love her shoes!
xoxo