Pumpkin Carving Contest 2014

Welcome to the 8th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest!

You can view last year's contest here. 

The original pumpkin carvers gathered together to compete for the beloved Golden Pumpkin prize!

The winner gets to keep this dazzling prize until the next year's contest. 

The judges, (Sheri/Mom and my dad) often look for creativity and uniqueness in a pumpkin. Additionally, no extra props or pumpkin carving kits may be used. 

And the pumpkin competitors are:

Frankie

 

Home is Where the Seeds Are

and Pump-ku-tron the Destroyer. 

After a long and suspenseful meeting, the judges announced the winner of the 8th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest...

Home is Where the Seeds Are!!!

Wishing you a safe and happy Halloween!

~Jess

A White Treasure

My father-in-law loved to carve, and was a talented craftsman.  He carved many different types of ducks and geese.  One day when I was visiting their mountain home, I noticed a row of wooden carved ducks up on the high window sill.

I was particularly taken with this beautiful white one.  To my surprise as I was leaving that day, he took down and handed me that precious white duck he carved, and said "this is for you."  I was so happy because I had admired it all day.

My father-in-law passed away a few days ago at 90 years old, and I will always remember his kindness throughout my life.

He was a father to ten children, a hard working man, and a jolly grandfather.  I have been drinking my tea all week in this peace cup and thinking about him.  May you be in peace now, Grandpa Jim, and I will always love you.

~Sheri

Autumn

Pumpkins

Jack-o-Lanterns

 

Colors 

 

Treats

Sweets

 

These are only a few reasons why I adore autumn.

~Jess

Click

Whenever I notice something that is unusual or pretty, I get out my camera and click.  I become entranced with its uniqueness, and start to see some strange beauty about it.  Here are a few.

When I drive through to order my coffee, there is a bush with lots of bees swarming around it.  I think it's lavender, but not sure.

I couldn't believe this pink rose was still so alive in October.

I thought these doves sitting on the wire were sweet.

I got up early Tuesday morning around 6:30, and while sipping on my coffee, I saw a beautiful sunrise dazzling the sky with pink and purple.

This was such a fat bird that I thought it was an owl at first, until I took a closer look.

I thought these were so unusual but very pretty, and I'm wondering what kind of flower they are?

This seagull seemed to be as interested in me as I was in him.

When I was walking at the park, I noticed this underneath my feet.

Jess has got me hooked on the chocolate cookies at Panera Bread - Yum!

These are planted in the front of my house.  The rain the last couple of days have made them bloom.

I am loving the white pumpkins this year.

So, whenever I see anything that has a bit of wonder, I just get out my camera and click.

 

 all pictures by me, except last one
 

~Sheri

Working Hard and Wishing on a Star

Hello blog friends! As I'm sure you've seen from our recent posts, the girls at Red Rose Alley have been busy! Sheri is settling into her lovely new home.

Jess is unpacking her own boxes and working hard in her new teaching position this fall.

And me? I've been hard at work on my dissertation for the last couple of months. I'm hoping to finish my Ph.D. in English Literature this coming spring!

But like my mom and sister, I feel that sometimes you have to take a break from all the hard work to enjoy life's pleasures.

So a few weeks ago, around our two year wedding anniversary, my husband and I took the day off to celebrate our happy marriage at the happiest place on earth!

We had a blast on the rides!

The park was decorated for the season in festive fall colors.

We shared a special anniversary dinner at the "Blue Bayou" (they even lit a candle in a Mickey-shaped chocolate cake for us)!

Of course there were fireworks!  

It was such a magical anniversary, and a much needed break from all of the dissertation work in the last few weeks. I've feel so fortunate to have found my prince, but I'll be wishing on a star that my Ph.D. dreams come true soon!

~Nel~