The Johnson clan is FINALLY on the mend. Of course, we're not fully recovered enough to go on an epic backpacking trip this weekend to Coyote Gulch with friends Dave and Rebecca that we have been planning for MONTHS.Serious bummer.
We barely left the house all week but braved the cold and snow to attend our town's scarecrow festival last Saturday. Like the mythical phoenix borne out of ashes, there was a happy ending to The Great Pumpkin Massacre of 2009. Haddie and Bode's pumpkin didn't have a leaf on it after the hail storm but it rebounded over the course of a month and Jamie finally got it to pollinate on August 31.
We only had about two weeks of good growing weather and Jamie cut it off the vine a few days before the competition. Or rather, I should say he dragged his sick family out in the cold and snow to witness the vine-cutting ceremony.
Because surely this momentous occasion could not have waited an extra hour for the snow to subside.
And The Great Phoenix Pumpkin's final weight? 85.5 pounds. This is 0.5 pounds bigger than Haddie's pumpkin last year with a growing season that was cut in half. It was starting to turn orange but was never on the vine long enough to fully convert. Some picture-perfect moments:
Father and daughter in their matching pumpkin geek hats:
Their pumpkin was the second biggest in the children's division. Haddie and Bode received a ribbon and they took home a $30 gift certificate. For some families, their trophy case looks like this.
Sadly, this is only a small sampling of ours.
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17 Comments:
As tulmulteous as this year has been for your pumpkin loving family, I'm happy to see it end on a high note! Congratulations on the weight gain over last year. (I never thought I would be happy about weight gain for anyone.)
Wait, are you saying, it took that pumpkin 2 weeks to get to 85 pounds?!?! That is one seriously obese pumpkin with a weight problem! Good work guys!
I'm glad you guys are feeling better. Too bad about Coyote Gulch-we love that place.
Congrats to Hadley and Bode on their awesome pumpkin
At least let's hope that there aren't bench clearing brawls at the weigh-offs! And. I would so take that pumpkin if you didn't want it
Glad you are all feeling better and congrats on the ribbon!!!
Wow- congrats. Great trophy case you have. lol.
No, the pumpkin grew over the course of a month but only had about two good weeks of weather. Still, though--pretty impressive.
Our trophy case? No so much. :-
I think your trophy case is great - much more interesting than the 'some families' trophy case.
Congratulations to Haddie and Bode--GREAT JOB.
I LOVE your trophy case ; )
Impressive! I hope the gift certificate was to someplace good to make it worth braving the cold!
So happy you are all on the mend. And congrats to the chub pumpkin.
Rosey
I am glad to hear you are all on the mend. Sorry you can't go on the hiking trip.
YAY to Haddie and Bode on the second place pumpkin!
Have a great weekend.
Congratulations to Bode and Hadley!!!
I can't believe it is already snowing there...
Your hat is cute, Amber. Yeah, yeah, so are the pumpkin geek hats but I really like yours, too.
She looks so proud of her accomplishment.
Fabiola
congrats, so happy there was some pumpkin celebrating for your family in October! Can't wait for next year. 1/2 ton right?
Way to go!
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