Autumn in the Country

A few weeks ago we did our annual trip to the country which really means drive a little ways to where the farms are. We are so fortunate to live on Vancouver Island, we have mountains, farmland, lakes, and ocean all within a very short driving distance.

We have a route that we do; High Oaks Farm Est. 1893 and then out to Dan's Farm Market to buy squash and pumpkins.

I am not certain if this is an apple or crab apple tree; the flesh was red for the most part. Yes, we picked an apple each, the tree was on the side of the road and I don't think anyone picked them.

I was using my camera and Trish was using the cell phone.

We met and were talking with the wife of the owner; she was saying that they may have to sell the farm because none of their children want to run it and it is too much for them to run. They rented to the farmland to Gayley Farms this year for growing pumpkins. 

She let us go down the driveway for additional pictures. I loved this fake crow on the fence post with the sign and thermometer.

This lantern with a sign and another thermometer was on the other fence post... I just noticed the horse shoe! There is something interesting about the artless clutter of undesigned groupings of things.

We then went off to Dan's Farm Market only to be greatly disappointed; it may be under new management but there was about half the amount of squash. There were a few large bins of squash, pumpkins, and gourds. We didn't buy anything. We left; were disappointed but things change.

We went to the Root Cellar, a large produce market where the prices are "dirt cheap" as the sign says and bought squash.

I went back to High Oaks Farm last week and bought 6 pumpkins for carving.

Check out some of my previous posts about our autumn excursions here, here, and here.

Don't for get to visit my Etsy shop, there lots of fun Hallowe'en items such as "Jack and His Big Nose Glasses".

Last weekend's drive in the country - Part 2

After having a look around Firbank Farm Market we went off to the small town of Sydney for coffee at Starbucks. I had a look in the town's second hand shops. I love scouring for items that can be used for future sculptures.

On our way back home we went down Oldfield Road to Dan's Farm and Country Market. This market is not a boutique market. The squash, gourds, and pumpkins are piled in huge bins. The rest of the produce is placed on slanting shelves just like a super market. There is a certain charm to this though because there is not the harsh lighting. I like this market.

The large bins allow for some great pictures of one variety of squash. You get to see the colour, shape, and texture variations within one variety. This helps my painting not to be to rigid as to colouration. 

Enjoy looking at the pictures.

They also have goats that you can feed and pet. There is also a small barn with poultry, a pig, and a donkey. Some of the ducks and chickens wander around the barn area as well, a small taste of the country for city folk.

On the way home we passed a field that I pass quite often. I wanted to give you a panoramic view to enjoy.

This farm land is very close to the city. We are fortunate on Vancouver Island that the city, the ocean, lakes, and wilderness are all close together. You can be in the city and then 20 minutes to an hour later you can be in the wilderness of your choice.

Last weekend's drive in the country. Part 1

The weather for the last 2 weeks on the West Coast has been rain, rain, rain. At times it was coming done so hard that there was no point in going out in it even for a leisurely drive in the country. Last Saturday there was a lull in the rain so off we went to some of our favourite spots in Saanich north of Victoria.

We spotted a field of pumpkins off the highway so we decided to check it out. We passed a large farm market as we turned off the highway but didn't go in.

That big field of orange pumpkins was over on another road but we did get to see vast empty fields.

Canada Geese were flying across this desolate field.

Not all pumpkins make it to the farmers market. Some pumpkins are broken during the harvest.

Other pumpkins have started to rot on the vine and are left behind.

Before the season has started these are well on their way to fertilizing the field.

We came across Firbank Farm Market. The displays in front and inside were beautifully done.

There were bins of mini pumpkins.

Chrysanthemum's, hay bales, scarecrows, pumpkins and gourds of every colour and shape, what more could anyone want that is in love with this season. There are so many ideas for future sculptures here.

Another bin of mini multicoloured pumpkins.

Cinderella pumpkins, those big flat orange ones, are supposed to make great soup.

This bin of yellow, white, and green gourds had one orange squash placed on it. That one spot of intense orange made everything else look so much more interesting.

Another vignette of chrysanthemums, ornamental kale, and gourds surround an old aged wooden box filled with dried sunflower heads.

The Adobe Pumpkin Farm

This blog post was supposed to go up before Hallowe'en, that didn't happen. After getting back from Hallowe'en and Vine I had to tidy my studio somewhat so that I could build props for the Hillside Shopping Centre Christmas Window. Enough with the tap dancing preamble, as a member of EHAG I can very easily justify this blog post at this time of year!

Late Sunday morning, the next day after the Hallowe'en and Vine show, Amelia Schaefer, Tracey Dombroski, Lori Rudolph, and myself went to The Adobe Pumpkin Farm on our way down to San Francisco.

This jaunty scarecrow greeted you as you came into the farm from the parking lot.

The three musketeers, Lori, Tracey, and Amelia. 

There were piles of different squash and pumpkins, all of which I photographed. Even though it is winter and just after Christmas I am going to show you all of these beautiful vegetables as a very late "Ode to Autumn".

The colour variation that is evident when you see a nice big pile of one variety is intriguing.

I have no idea what any of the squash are named. I love the powdery look on the outside of this particular squash.

This is the entrance to "The Farmer's Wife Barntique". They provided all of the artists at Hallowe'en and Vine with a much appreciated goody bag.

Mid to deep oranges, peach with creamy buff warts, and a knobbly deep green squash, the colours and textures are so interesting.

A simple shape and pattern but the colour variation is amazing.

Small pumpkins ranging in shades from a lemony yellow to a rich orange.

I had to include this quintessential farm picture.

The faint lemon yellow blush on the mini white pumpkins is very unexpected.

These squash are stunning, absolutely gorgeous. The colours, the textures, the patterns, I could go on and on and on... but I will spare you.

These white pumpkins vary in colour from a very pale grey to a very pale creamy white.

Outdoor window ledge vignette number one.

These squash are stunning, absolutely gorgeous. The colours, the textures, the patterns, I could go on and on and on... but I will spare you.

Outdoor window ledge vignette number two

The vine imprints and the scarring give these pumpkins great character.

Outdoor window ledge vignette number three.

Oh boy, here I go again.... the colour, the shapes... can you tell that I am totally in love with squash and pumpkins?

Outdoor window ledge vignette number four.

These would make some very interesting Jack-o-lanterns.

Gourds of all shapes, sizes, textures, and colours.

Well here is my "Ode to Autumn" blog post. It was about 2 1/2 months overdue but I hope that you enjoyed it.