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Smashing Pumpkins

Head out any glorious autumn afternoon in search for a pick your own apple farm, you would think you’d find one, especially in rural Ontario. What we thought was going to be a pleasant Sunday drive in the country, enjoying the fresh air, changing leaves and early harvest ended up so much better. Many of the long driveways were Mennonite background were blocked for a well deserved day off, giving way to one and only entry. Welcoming and dressed for the season with flags waving, we couldn’t help but signal and turn. Pumpkins were offered in lieu of the apples, but deep down we really only wanted the fresh air and the farm life, so we happily ventured on. Along the long and dusty road to the farm house exposed us to our first true breath of fall. Quaint and orange, the way in was dotted with pumpkins, which were soon to be baptized “Jack”, fallen apples, the warm streaming sun, a little pond and a sea of pumpkins.

Nauman’s Farm is located just outside of Waterloo, Ontario. Only minutes away from the infamous St. Jacob’s farmers’ market there. My knowledgeable hosts Anne and Hugh had been busy throughout the summer, preparing to make my day. Beyond the brightness of the orange hillside, the Nauman family had an impressive display of close to twenty varieties of heirloom pumpkins. My lack of emotion about pumpkins was about to change. At the top of the hill, up by the barn, was one of the most incredible and elaborate arrangements of gourds I’ve seen. There was an amazing array of color, giving me the feeling of being on a shoot for a Martha Stewart spread.