We like to support our local businesses.
Newly opened this year is a farmer’s market just down the road featuring produce grown locally, supported by one of our largest employers, Mayfield Dairy. (Note the large yellow columns of corn at the entrance made from Mayfield yellow quart milk jugs). During the summer the littlest farmers would help weigh the produce, ring us up, and count out the change with Mom at the cash register. The pickin’s are slim in the veggie department about now, so this farm and several others in our area cut mazes into the spent corn fields with tractors. Hayrides, pumpkin patches and games for young and old involving hay bales are offered to stretch the season and earn a little extra folding money for the farmers and their families. These are popular venues for school field trips and tourists alike. The day we decided to check it out with camera in tow, the gates were open but there were few folks there. We have had excessive rains lately and the maze was too muddy to allow for corny fun. It was closed, but they had opened for a group of young mothers with babies that had called ahead and driven up from Chattanooga, an hours drive.
A fenced field held a few llamas and some goats and donkeys. There was feed that could be purchased to bring them closer. I had no food and when this handsome fellow/lovely lady saw that I was empty handed, they turned and walked away, looking back as I zoomed for the above portrait shot. Sorry, my dear, next time.
Sauntering around in the squishy grass while trying to keep the Uggs somewhat clean was a maze unto itself. The entrance looked inviting and the sound of joyous squeals of young voices could be conjured, with thoughts of them running through the paths, finding dead ends and circling back again and again.
Encircling the corn maze were fields of sunflowers of various types grown for cut flowers. They were tall and eye catching.
Besides the capturing of beautification for Veg Plotting’s Out On The Street series, OOTS, there was a secondary mission for this excursion. Pumpkins were needed for a seasonal display. The search is on. The little white ones are quite cute, and the claw shaped gourds are a big favorite as well.
Looking looking looking for the one that spoke to me. Aha, here it is. Can you guess which one came home in the gas guzzler?
You are such smart readers, of course you knew which one joined the pumpkin line up on the deck bench. All that is needed now are the two growing under the arbor to ripen. But that vine will be getting a story of its own soon. In the meantime, ….
The search is on for the perfect costume. Mr. Kitty is so appealing in the headgear…
But the star of Hallowe’en, Miss Witch Hazel is not so sure this is the right get up for her highness’ self. Stay tuned for more.
Frances
Fairegarden 
I do not know why they put as rules #1, no running. When you are a kid in a maze, that is half the fun.
Miss Witch Hazel looks a trifle disgusted by her costume.
What a festive looking place! Love the maze. I guess I am the only gardener that does not buy pumpkins for fall display…..mmmm. I wish the squirrels would stop cutting my sunflowers as soon as they begin to bloom!! Your kitties are not quite sure what to think of you are they?
Looks like a wonderful place for a fall OOTS! I love the fall colors on the sunflowers and all the pumpkins.
Frances, Confession time! I’ve never been in a corn maze…I totally get the appeal to little kids and teens! Thanks for pointing out the milk jug corn construction~~someone in their ad department had fun! Clever, too. Miss Hazel looks like Coal’s mom~She is a skittish cat and passed those genes along to him. I knew you would choose the most interesting of the pumpkins! Have a good weekend. gail
This is a great post girl !! I only have one wee white pumpkin so far but I intend to hunt others down with my divining rod aka witches broom ? haha .. Love the kitties especially Ms. Witch Hazel (Mr. Kitty don’t be jealous now : ) .. I’m going to hunt down my decorations .. this could be a dangerous mission but I will prevail !! haha
Frances, this is such an amazing post! And I love the title, the sunflowers, and the pumpkins! What shapes and colours! The photo of your garden with the famous grass—loved it. I hope her highness is happy with her final costume:)
What fun! I’ve not been in a corn maze, but I know there are a few around here somewhere.
Your kitties are so cute (and such good sports about costumes). Charm does wear a coat in cold weather as greyhounds have no body fat.
Cameron
It looks like fun! We have a farm down the road from us that has a corn maze each year. I meant to visit it last year but maybe this will be the year! My girls would love to see a llama like that!
What fun! Poor Miss Hazel, she looks most distressed or should I say scared?
Road trips are such fun. I see you have lots of inspiration for halloween/fall decor. Your kitties are handsome without any dressing up. I can see that mz witch hazel isn’t inclined to having her fur disturbed with any human decor.
Hi Frances – what a lovely, happy post. It looks like it was great fun!
Autumn is only just begining to happen round here – although the temperature has dropped noticeably these last couple of days, so I expect the leaves will start to turn soon. so, having spent some time looking at everyone else’s garden, I’m off out for a wander round my own now ……..:)
Frances,
Corn always reminds me of Field of Dreams… just a random comment.
Anyways… love those kitties and their adorable costumes. Fun! I haven’t ever been in a corn maze, but it sounds delightful!
Rosey
That’s a most inviting Farmers Market. I really liked the corn post. My all those pumpkins. I could have a field day there.
Poor kitties, they don’t seem to care what it’s all about.
I’ve never been to a corn maze. It sure would be fun. Never been on a hayride either.
Interesting post. Looks like it’s a fun place and you enjoyed quite a bit. The Llama expression is cool. Looking forward to more
*Urban Green says hello to Mr Kitty and Ms. Witch hazel*
Those corn pillars are just amazing, Frances! What a brilliant idea! And now of course I want to head out to Meadow View Farm (which also has llamas) and stock up on some of their amazing pumpkins and winter squash to enhance our autmn display. The kitties and their outfits are such a scream!
It looks like a fun place to visit. I’ve been searchin for pumpkins myself today without any luck. There’s a huge nursery I’ve heard of but never visited (yeat) in Malmoe on monday I’ll go there. I’ve never had to search for pumpkins before… every store use to have them, even the grosery. Not this year! Maby I should try to grow my own next year. It’s easy isn’t it? Tonight it’s my lonely, cosy friday again. The rest of the family is of to see Hockey and I refuser to do that a fridaynight. Fridays are holy and ment to be cosy not cold at the stadium =) Hope you’ll have a wonderful weekend / kram gittan
by the way, there’s nothing spotted in those pots yeat 😉
More lovely pics Frances – and if you want to take a look at big cats, do check out my latest post – I fell in love yesterday!
Those corn mazes and pumpkin patches are a lot of fun, in fact that’s what we’re heading out to do today. Very brave of you to wear Ugg’s. Luckily it’s been dry here so we shouldn’t need the rain boots this year. Great choices in pumpkins.
Oh what fun and so much colour! Not only is this a perfect OOTS post, it also ties in very nicely with my appreciation of Autumn today 🙂
Thanks for coming back for a third helping of OOTS – it’s been wonderful how everyone has joined in so much this month!
Have a great weekend.
PS we have maize (corn) mazes around here too, but they tend to be more of an attraction during the summer holidays.
No problem – I just popped back to pick up your post’s URL because I forgot to earlier. I’ve been out to play with James today (he was giving a talk at a design show and we met up for a quick chat) and I’m not quite all there after a long drive home!
What a great harvest show.
Frances, I love the ears of corn! What a brilliant idea by some very creative person. Thses kinds of places are such fun for kids and adults alike. Just seeing nature’s fall beauty in all the glorious colors is worth the trip. But finding that ‘special’ pumpkin is a good excuse as well.
Those corn cobs are great! I can’t believe how well the milk jugs mimic corn kernels. I love Halloween and pumpkins but we’re so far out of the way we never get trick or treaters.
I think those pumpkin collars would last on my cats about 2 seconds. lol
oh how fun! They scare me though–I’m a big chicken and won’t go through a maze. I have no idea why. It does look fun and the entrance is pretty. I like the rules–no smoking or open flame–well duh.
Now that sunflower at the get go of your blog is the grandest thing and I must grow those next season. Happy Autumn to you and your aggravated cat.
corn mazes, pumpkins, sunflowers, and gourds…all speak of the fall. your bench of pumpkins looks great. love that you are supporting your local farmers.
happy autumn.
Sorry for being late with my comment- blame it on school exams. How I wish I could take my class to that maze!
What a fun place. Your photos make it even more inviting. October is such a fun and pretty time of year. That looks like a great place to get in the halloween and fall spirit. thanks for the tour.
Frances, those corn columns are wonderful! How creative! I adore pumpkin patches and corn mazes-can’t help but appreciate the work that go into these set-ups…I’ve volunteered at many. I’m searching for a costume for Bandit too! Love your sunflowers 😉
How wonderful Frances, what a day. so many wonderful pumkins. Beautiful autumn picture so positive and colorful. Really great stuff.xoxo Tyra
Your post shouts AUTUMN, Frances! Love our Farmer’s Markets … blessed to have 2 near 🙂
I think I would have picked that one too, Frances. A great addition to your collection. I can’t get over those giant milk carton corns – too cool!
I just love pumpkin patches in the fall, and yours looks particularly charming with those sunflowers included.
The virtual trip to the local farmer’s market was so entertaining. We loved all the funny looking pumpkins/squash. Our favorite pictures were of the llama!
I forgot to mention the cats in their costumes was also a big hit with many laughs from the students.
This looked a great event. I go to our local farmers market in the UK called Jimmys Farm (in Ipswich) – its a great day out. Great set of photos pumpkins!!
Are you dressing up your cats?! Poor kitties!
Love that first photo, Frances! Sunflowers photograph so beautifully. There is a corn maze here that we do every year. Soooo much fun! The guys vs. girls is what we do and right now we’re tied. This year will be a tie-breaker!