Oh, the colors of October. I love those earthy rusts, browns and oranges and when you are lucky enough to find a fascinating pumpkin farm, it's all the better. So, when Susan suggested we go to Pond Hill Farm, of course I was in!
Pond Hill Farm is located on M-119, just before one reaches the Tunnel of Trees, north of Harbor Springs, MI. It includes a vineyard, farm store, areas for kids to enjoy and lots of animals.
When you arrive, at least in the fall, you see an array of pumpkins. And some were enormous!
The zinnias were in full flower too, and it made for a very colorful entry!
I like how they turned the tree upside down to make the archways. You could buy the long slabs of flat wood from which they covered the pillars if you were into woodworking.
On the porch of the farm store, a glorious, mellow orange cat. It reminded me of my boy, the marmelade Gypsy.
He even has his own wine!
And there were plenty of pumpkins for sale, along with their own jams and salsas.
We visited the pigs (briefly). I think I know where they get their fertilizer for the garden!
Then we ventured into a barn where there was a goat pen and a lone goat.
We turned around to put in our quarters to pay for a handful of goat food. When we turned back, and it couldn't have been more than 30 seconds later, this is what we saw!
These goats were darling -- and hungry, gently taking from our hands the food we offered.
I want a goat.
We checked out the restaurant for future times. There was outdoor seating and wine tasting -- another time. Then it was off to our picnic in the park and Petoskey stone hunting, which you saw HERE.
The drive was gorgeous, alongside the bay and past many lovely summer homes, now closed up for the season.
It was a wonderful afternoon.
I'll be back!
(So many of you asked how Rick's follow-up with his surgeon went -- all is well! The only downer, from his point of view, is that he has to drink a half-gallon of water with a large amount of unsweetened lemon juice - preferably fresh - every day forever. But, whatever it takes!)
Sharing with: Share Your Style / Pink Saturday
All those pumpkins really scream "AUTUMN" don't they! I'm surprised at a farm store that truly has its own jams-- most of the ones here have their own labels but the actual jam is made somewhere far away. Looks like a delightful place.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
What a beautiful porker! They are way smarter than goats so if you must get a farm creature, get a pig rather than goat, you know- IF you must.
ReplyDeleteI am just catching up with you- your blog turns on the lights and warmth, thank you- Sorry there was surgery involved and hope that lemon juice does the trick. There are worse things to drink- Maalox being one!
The pumpkins against that impossible blue sky - stunning!
Looks really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think we don´t have such fields here. And such beautiful flowers. And cat! Awww. Cute idea with the wine.
Ugh. To the "fertilizer", LOL.
But the goats are very cute.
The water looks wonderful, too.
Yay for Rick, sorry for the water ;-)
Wonderful post Jeanie, I love pumpkin farms, but the goats and piggies are my faves today, so lovely! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteGorgeous colours in your photos.
ReplyDeleteI kept goats - proper milking goats - for nearly 20 years and was sad when they had to go. They all have real characters
I certainly hope all the water and lemon juice does not interfere with Rick's consumption of wine! And I hope he always makes a mental not of the location of the washrooms when he goes out!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a field trip I would love. Truly, a field trip-ha ha! It is the pumpkin version of the sunflower field I visited. It looks like such a lovely place to be. And that kitty reminds me of my Leo who has been gone for 7 years now. I do miss having a cat, but these 2 dogs are more than enough. Smile. I think he and Gypsy could be related souls. Your photos are wonderful today Jeanie and I enjoyed my from the couch trip. It is fun to get out be a part of the world again, isn't it? Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteInteresting re a half gallon!
ReplyDeleteFun outing..such a pretty time of yr!
Think of a half-gallon as the eight glasses a day that's so often recommended, and it's not quite so intimidating. If you have a sixteen-ounce glass, that's only four glasses a day! It's certainly an easy and inexpensive prescription, and there's nothing wrong with that.
ReplyDeleteI was struck by the resemblance between the pig and some of the large pumpkins. If the pig's name was Peter, he could be "Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater"!
What a great place to visit in the fall!
ReplyDeleteI need to visit you in Michigan. Lovely as always my friend. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place! This sounds like a trip that would develop into an annual tradition.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Rick's surgery went well. My granddaddy drank water with lemon juice every morning. But just one glass. Maybe I should start adding lemon to my water...
What a fun side trip! I actually like water with lemon in it; so, I'm probaby not as sorry for Rick as I should be.
ReplyDeleteA good reminder to drink lots of water every day. Thanks. Your photos are so colorful. Lovely post, Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an awesome place ~ thanks for taking us along! Better some lemony water than some 'miracle' pill with who-knows-what side effects!
ReplyDeleteOur neighbours used to have goats. They were a royal pain in the A**!!
ReplyDeleteThey were amazing escape artists, climbing up over the roof of the house and then hopping off the porch roof. They chased cars. They jumped off an embankment in front of vehicles. They chased the children around and about. But they sure were cute.
Oh, how stunning this post of yours is, Dearest Jeanie, I cannot express by words how much I love this farm you've depicted both by words and with pictures, I felt as if I were there with you!
ReplyDeleteWith utmost gratitude I hug you warmly
Xx Daniela at ~ My little old world ~ (Dany)
Love these pictures!! and I need to do more catching up - but glad your husband is OK!
ReplyDeleteLovely colors!
ReplyDeleteA super place to visit and loved all your photos Jeanie. Definitely feel in the seasonal mood now that I have seen them :)
ReplyDeleteLook at all the orange pumpkins, wonderful! And that cute cat lying there in the basket on the porch of the store must have made you smile. Looks like you had a fun day at Pond Hill Farm, Jeanie. How lovely are the flowers. They look like all the colors of Autumn. Glad to hear Rick is doing well. Lemon is always good for the body.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Tunnel of trees is on my bucket list. Hubby wants a goat. He loves them. A fun pupkin place and loved all of the animal pics! Janice
ReplyDeleteThat cat is a sweetie.
ReplyDeleteThis is the time of year when pumpkins and pumpkin farms come out of the woodwork. I enjoyed seeing one in your area. They had some that are quite large. I have a friend who used to grow pumpkins and has won prizes for the largest. So good of you to take us with you on this jaunt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun outing. pumpkins galore and the cute critters.
ReplyDeleteDid you buy a bottle of the cat wine?
ReplyDeleteI actually like pigs, they're intelligent and funny and I wish we would see more in them than just bacon. Oh the goats - they knew exactly what you were going to do! Here, we have goats to help in wildfire prevention, they munch down EVERYTHING and thus properties get rid off their underbrush which is good (and slows down possible fires). Super cute and mischievous and I certainly don't want one in my garden.
Happy Lemon juice water to Rick!
ReplyDeleteNice pumpkin pictures, the cat matches the scenery. The look out goat is cute.
My doctor constantly reminds me to drink more water.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love, love all the festive orange colors of the pumpkins. The wood arch is really quite wonderful too. And you know I have a weakness for orange marmalade cats.
Gorgeous! Can't decide what I like better - the flowers or the pumpkins.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Hello Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy Rick had a great report from his surgeon. The pumpkins are so pretty and colorful, I love the zinnias. The critters are all adorable, love the piggie and goats. Cute kitty, I wonder how the wine taste? Pretty view of the bay! Take care, enjoy your day!
Loved this Jeanie . . .
ReplyDeleteDoesn’t the color alone bring huge cheer!
And sun and blue sky too!
I often hear people express they enjoy seeing goats!
I need to run into them some place.
I like their run/hop too! (Pictures I have seen of little ones!)
The yellow cat looks like the master of the orchard . . .
Orange “Marmelade Gypsy” you say . . .
Wine too!
I loved the tree arbor . . .
Piggie odor might find me steering away as well.
Rick received the same prescription I did when I too had bouts with kidney stones.
First thing the urologist asked me was, “do you drink Diet Coke?” Fortunately my answer was no.
He said it is a huge culprit. I have always preferred water, drink bunches of it.
But the answer comes with adding freshly squeezed lemon to the water.
Trust me, it helped me totally. I hope Rick never has to face kidney stone pain again.
Been a dreary week weather wise here in West Mi . . . I am ready for the sun again!
I guess we might have to wait a few days.
Enjoy happy orange, colored leaves, lemon water October days Jeanie . . .
Bike trips planned for Rick?
This is such a cheerful autumn post! You've inspired me to take my camera to some local farms. I've been waiting till the leaves start to turn here, but your post has me pushing up my timetable. In fact, I'll go more than once! Glad Rick got a good report. The lemon water doesn't sound all that pleasant, but like you said, you gotta do what you gotta do.
ReplyDeleteOh such a fun post Jeanie! Love all the pumpkins and glorious fall color, I'm sure this was a fun outing. The orange kitty does remind me of Gyspy too! Sorry, I'm always late theses days, hope you are enjoying a wonderful week...........
ReplyDeleteJeanie, you have such interesting road trips. I think I will just hide in your car. Fall is such a wonderful time for such adventures. I am surprised the handsome yellow tabby didn't ride home with you. However, Lizzie would probably not have been eager to meet him.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear Rick had a good report.
I am glad Rick had a good report. Jeanie, I love pumpkins and they had some really large ones.The archway was very unique. It looked like a perfect outing with a friend!
ReplyDeleteJeanie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place!! Looks like so much fun!!
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Oh, it sounds so wonderful! I wouldn't want to leave!
ReplyDeleteAlso, glad Rick's appointment went well.
The goats are so funny! At a zoo in Germany they had a feeding station with coins at the farm animals and a couple of sheep were waiting by it. It was very popular with the visitors, of course. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the pumpkin display and the cat, how lovely is him and posh too, with his own wine.
Oh, all these pumpkins! So amazing :)
ReplyDeleteThe ginger cat also looks like a pumpkin a bit, haha :D
Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteSuch a colorful, newsy and delightful Fall post!
The pumpkins framed by the dancing zinnias is positively glorious and those goats! I can certainly see why you would like one.
I couldn't help but notice how clean all the animals were, including the pig!
Those finger cookies were very clever.
So thankful Rick is doing well and that you are enjoying the golden days of October.
Jemma
What a fun fall outing you and Donna went on, Jeanie. Did you happen to buy a bottle of the wine as well? Glad for the update on Rick and drinking the water and lemon juice doesn't sound too terrible, ecept for frequent bathroom stops, which could be challenging on a long ride.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the colors of October. These are the gifts from the good weather.
ReplyDeletelooks like you had a lovely day there. love those goats! years ago we visited a friend in Philadelphia who took us out to a pumpkin farm. such fun! we then carved one for halloween. our first one as halloween wasn't a thing here in australia back then.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanie! I love all of the photos! Tis the season and that cat having his own brand of wine is a hoot!! Looks like my Baby Oscar!! :) I'm glad to know your hubby is doing well, but I kind of dropped my jaw at half a gallon of water every day...
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I have to laugh about the goats coming out of nowhere! When I was a child we had a goat that hung out with my family’s dogs. Maybe he thought he was a dog.
ReplyDeletethose colours really are beautiful, particularly on the drive back with that blue sea and orange boats and all the grass. I bet kids love to come to that place, and looks like the goats enjoy the company too! I hope you bought a bottle of the wine.
ReplyDeleteAnd very glad that Rick's been given the OK, I hope too that his level of fitness means he can add a bit of sugar to that lemon. It gives me indigestion just to think about it! :)
I’m glad Rick’s follow up went well. That is a lot of water to drink. You will be buying lots of lemons if you go the fresh route! (Which I think tastes way better than the artificial). I try to drink 4 containers of water/day which equals 112 oz! I find I do better with water drinking during the week when I am at my desk. Weekends are way tougher when we are busy with the kids!
ReplyDeleteThat pumpkin patch looked awesome. Our kids would love the animals. I look forward to doing things like this when they are a bit older. I wrote about fall fun today in my post. I want to do things like this but I find it really hard to do in this season of life. But before I know it, our kids will be at a great stage for things like this!!
That looks a fabulous place to visit, wonderful colours in your photographs.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the update on Rick.
That's quite a lot of lemon water, I hope he will still be able to enjoy a glass (or two) of wine too :)
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
What a beautiful place! I think I might spend all day looking at the pumpkins, one by one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun place. The pumpkins and the zinnias are quite complementary!
ReplyDeleteNow that is what I would describe as a perfect fall day. Thank you for sharing such delightful photos.
ReplyDeletewhat a glorious drive, this looks like so much fun. LOVE the big orange kitty in the basket. I haven't been to a pumpkin patch for years. Loved the pics of the zinnias and pumpkins together! Happy Fall!!
ReplyDelete