Autumn and Pumpkin Nights

One of our favorite things we try to do each autumn is to go to Silver Dollar City in Branson for “Pumpkin Nights.” Every corner of the park is filled with autumnal magic and displays of pumpkins. Come along with me as the afternoon shadows lengthen, the night slowly creeps in, and the park glows under neon lights and carved pumpkin luminaries.

Look at this lush hillside covered in ferns and Hosta’s. Punctuations of pumpkins and yellow and orange mums on stony outcrops are bright accents along the pathway.

A meandering stream gently winds through elephant ears, ferns, chrysanthemums, and pumpkins until it finally spills over the edge of a moss-covered stone, into the waters below.

I love the contrast of these green, and assorted, orange-colored pumpkins surrounding this ruggedy old wagon filled with it’s winsome load of burgundy mums.

A pumpkin feast for the eyes…all lined up and in order on a cushy bed of ivy.

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

Henry David Thoreau

When I saw these blue pumpkins nestled among the wine-colored Celosia, it was so striking, it almost took my breath away!

As the evening shadows began to lengthen, these squatty, light-colored pumpkins almost glowed in the fading light.

Majestic pumpkin topiaries stand in a bed of Boston ferns with an array of pumpkins in the background. I was delighted when I captured this fern silhouette imprinted on the base of the pumpkins.

A towering harvest tree glows and is filled with colorful pumpkins, squash, and gourds.

This darling pumpkin house with glowing pumpkin luminaries leading to the moss-covered door was enchanting…especially on a night filled with the gentle hum of crickets droning in the distance, tree frogs croaking their lullaby, and a fog creeping in from the holler.

I must go in. The fog is rising.

Emily Dickinson

Seeing this little house sitting in the woods with leaves aglow and pumpkins shining, I had to smile as I remembered this old nursery rhyme.

Peter, Peter pumpkin eater,
 Had a wife and couldn't keep her.  
He put her in a pumpkin shell, 
And there he kept her very well.

~ Children's Nursery Rhyme from  1920 

I wanted to wander inside to see if there were any toadstools that we could sit upon and enjoy two cups of Darjeeling tea.

We’re almost finished with our walk in the woods. I didn’t want to tire you, so I didn’t take you down all the lanes and crannies, or on the train that Richard and I rode that wound around the forest. As the moon rose over the hilltop and highlighted the trees, the glow from this last spectacular owl luminary lit our way.

Wild is the music
Of autumnal winds
Amongst the faded woods.

~  William Wordsworth

Hope you enjoyed our autumn walk in the woods! It’s hard to believe next Thursday is Thanksgiving! Early next week I hope to post a fun Thanksgiving treat you’ll enjoy making for your family.

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

If you would like to have each new post I write delivered directly to your email address, click FOLLOW in the post above and follow the prompts.

PLUS…Follow me on Pinterest: Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

on Instagram: cottagegreenonthelake.com