Maria's Autumn Pumpkins

 

 

Here is Little Maria, inviting you out to the farm on this lovely autumn day.  Would you like to join us?

 

 

We will take a horse drawn hay ride through the fields... did you bring him an apple?

 

 

We will view all the lovely autumn colors, the hillside of changing leaves, and the brilliant blue sky.

 

 

Don't you love this cheery sunflower field?

 

 

Hurray, Merle's Fresh Produce is just ahead!  This is our destination!

 

 

Yay, I love the autumn displays at a farm stand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, yes, the famous Merle maple products, shipped around the world.

 

 

Pretty dried flower bouquets, so cheerful.

 

 

Twisty, fascinating, warty gourds.

 

 

Bows on Indian corn.

 

 

Well, who might this anonymous fellow be?

 

 

Shall we visit in the farmhouse now? Maria would like to show you the pretty jars of home-canned peaches.

 

 

Maybe you would like a turn driving a tractor?

 

 

 

Now lets sit a spell and have a cup of tea and a chat before we leave.

 

 

I would like you to take home this bouquet as a gift from me.

Thanks for coming along today, I hope you enjoyed yourself.

 

 

Now wait a minute, I thought you were only going to pick ONE pumpkin!

 

 

 

Now thank we all our God,
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God

Through all our life be near us,

With ever joyful hearts

And blessed peace to cheer us;

And keep us still in grace,

And guide us when perplexed;

And free us from all ills,

In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God

The Father now be given;

The Son, and Him who reigns

With Them in highest heaven;

The one eternal God,

Whom earth and heaven adore;

For thus it was, is now,

And shall be evermore.

 

Martin Rinkart; Trans. by Catherine Winkworth