Word From the Herd: Bugsy Tribute

It might sound silly to do a tribute to a giant inflatable toy, but "Bugsy the Caterpillar" held a special place in our hearts.  Here is Christine with the Word from the Herd on our favorite caterpillar.

When I think of Bugsy, there are so many things that come to mind.  He was the the very first "big purchase" my dad and I made together for the Pumpkin Farm.  We were up in Canada at a pumpkin convention and I made the plunge and bought him.  At the time I was preggers with Glory and I remember being so scared because it was a MAJOR purchase.  Little did I know that I would become so emotionally attached.

Here were are now, fifteen years later.  Literally thousands of kids have crawled through him millions of times.  I have personally sang "This is the way the leaves fall down!"  hundreds of times while I scarecrowed field trips as they waited in line to take their turn crawling through his obstacles.
When we pulled him out for this year's Pumpkin Season, I looked in his eyes and he said, "Christine, I should have retired 10 years ago, but I just love Pumpkin Season so much, I hung on.  Y'all stitch me up and put me out year after year and I have been faithful through the elements and so much more. But I think it's time to retire."  But how could we retire Bugsy?!  To us, he is irreplaceable.  So, we did the best thing we could think of.  We searched online and found one just like him!  Same age, less used and less worn.  Safer, but still just as wonderful!  We sent our go-to guy, Mike Foley, on a road trip all the way to Indiana to pick up our new farm friend.  It sounds like he got quite the treatment:

All of our ranch kiddos have grown up with Bugsy as a part of their fall memories, so it brings so much joy to know that this next generation will get to experience Bugsy in all of his glory!

We Love Ya, Bugsy, old and new!
- Cowgirl Christine

Come play in our new Bugsy now through October 31st at the Pumpkin Farm!  We're open everyday from 10am to 6pm!

Have a great day, ya'll!

~ Your Friends From Faulkner's

Congratulations to our Donation Contest Winners!

Congratulations To Our 

Pumpkin Donation Request Drawing Winners!!!

This Year’s Pumpkin Donation Drawing Winners Are:

Spofford Home (Deb Johnson)
Healing House (Barbie Daniels)
Girl Scout Daisy Troop-Pawnee Elementary (Melissa Macphearson)
Rainbow School PTA (Stacey Carrow)
&
Christ Lutheran School (Sylvia Warner)

*Please contact Faulkner's Ranch to set up a time to pick up your pumpkins.

Thank you for all of your entries!

Remember, if you didn’t win this time you stay in the drawing pot for future drawings until your group’s name is drawn.

As a bonus thank you to everyone who entered, all donation request groups will receive a special rate on mini-pumpkins while supplies last.  Mini-pumpkins will be only $ .50 a piece, our lowest price available to any group!

Just call 816-761-1234 and place your order over the phone!  We’ll package them up and have them ready to go for pickup Monday through Friday!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

How to Plan a Fall Craft Night

Hosting a Craft Night (or a Pinterest Party as many like to call them nowadays) is easy and fun!

Here are a few tips and tricks to make your Fall Craft Night a success!

The Food:

Make it easy on yourself and go potluck style!  As the host, cook a dish that can serve a large group (we love this tortilla soup recipe).  Then ask your guests to bring everything else.  You can even offer up ideas such as salad, sides, desserts, etc.  Feel like making dessert too?  Try our easy Faulkner's Fallfetti Popcorn recipe which is great to snack on while crafting!

The Drinks:

If you want to go the festive route, we recommend this easy Fall Apple Cider Party Punch that we shared yesterday.  However, you can also serve something simple like water and tea.  Don't hesitate to ask guests to bring a bottle of wine.

The Decor:

Keep it simple and stay with your normal fall decor.  Don't have a Fall centerpiece on your table yet?  Use our tips and tricks to create one of your own!  Also, make sure that you have enough space on your countertops or table to put all of the potluck food.  Your counters may look bare before your guests arrive, but trust us, once they are there you will be searching for space to put the delicious dishes.

The Craft:

Here are the things to consider when choosing a craft. 

• Cost:  Since you will be purchasing materials for several crafts, keep this in mind.  Choose crafts that you can buy the materials in bulk like ribbon, buttons, etc.
• Cleanup:  Either choose a craft that does not make a huge mess or provide a small trashcan on the table to put materials.  
• Tools/Materials Needed:  Avoid choosing crafts that require hot glue guns since those tend to be messy. Gluing one thing to a pumpkin is no big deal, however if every single thing needs to be hot glued you will find it to be troublesome.  You want the craft to be something you can talk during, instead of something that requires too much attention.
• Can your guests take it home right away?: You want to avoid using paints or things that will have to dry. 

Two great places to find your craft are here on our blog.  You can see our pumpkin ideas right here.  Or you can check out our Pinterest Boards dedicated to Pumpkin Ideas and Cool Country Crafts.

Other Things to Consider:

Music sets the mood.  Set your iPod or computer to Pandora and crank it up.  For Fall, we love the Mumford and Sons or Today's Country Hits stations.

Before parties, it is always a good idea to turn the thermostat down.  All of those extra bodies can cause it to get warm.

For more Fall party ideas, check out our Pinterest Board!

Follow these tips and you'll be sure to have a Fall Craft Night that everyone will enjoy!

Have a great day, ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Fall Apple Cider Party Punch

Hosting a get-together this Fall?  Sweeten up your soiree with this delicious drink!

Fall Apple Cider Party Punch

INGREDIENTS:

1 Gallon Jug Apple Cider

1 1/2 Gallon Orange Juice

1 Bottle of Cranberry-Raspberry Juice

1 750 ml Bottle of Sparkling White Wine or White Grape Juice

1/2 Cup Lemon Juice

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in a large drink dispenser.  Stir until everything is mixed.
Serve with ice and enjoy!

Have a great day, ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Pumpkin Beauty Tips + A Pumpkin Spice Sugar Body Scrub

There is no argument that pumpkin is a yummy treat. Well, maybe there is an argument but we don't want to hear it. Did you know though that pumpkin isn't only delicious, but it is also great for your health and beauty? That's right! This gourd can make you gorgeous!
Here are a few fun facts about pumpkin:

• Pumpkins are rich in nutrients and antioxidants that can help your skin attain a healthy glow.
• Do you have sensitive skin? Are you prone to blemishes? Then add pumpkin seeds to your diet! They're packed with zinc, which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that may help calm irritated skin from the inside out.
• Pumpkin enzymes can soothe and protect your skin.
• Pumpkin are chocked-full of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, which are awesome for your skin.

Want to cash in on the perks of pumpkins?  Then follow the simple recipe below to make your own Pumpkin Body Scrub that will leave your skin feeling SO SOFT (plus, it smells SUPER yummy!).

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Body Scrub

INGREDIENTS:
1 ½ Cup of Sugar
¼ Cup of Canned Pumpkin (organic is preferred)
1 Tablespoon of Almond Oil or Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon of Vegetable Glycerin (optional)
A Light Sprinkle of Pumpkin Pie Spice (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:
To make this wonderful scrub, simply mix all of the ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Once a week, rub this scrub all over your body in a circular motion while you're in the shower and rinse with warm water. In order for the benefits to last, make sure you apply a moisturizer after you have rinsed off each scrub. This will not only enhance the benefits of each treatment but will also prolong the effects.

Have a great day, ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

PS - Don't forget to come see us this weekend at the Pumpkin Farm!  It's Wild Western Weekend!  YEE-HAW!

Tuesday Treats: Faulkner's Fallfetti Popcorn

There are so many things that we love about fall.

The leaves changing, the crisp cool air, hayrides, bonfires, scarves, sweaters, and trips to the pumpkin farm.  The list goes on and on!

But one of our favorite things about fall is the sweet treats!

So, of course we had to share with you one of our favorite yummy fall recipes, 

Faulkner's Fallfetti Popcorn!

This treat is so yummy!  Make a batch for yourself and then make a batch to share with all of your friends and family - trust us, they'll love you for it!

Just follow the simple recipe below!

Faulkner's Fallfetti Popcorn

Ingredients:

Popcorn

Caramel Bits (we use the ones by Kraft that are made for melting)

Candy Corn

Fall Colored M&M's (we LOVE the Pumpkin Spice ones!)

Fall Colored Sprinkles

Pam Butter Spray

Directions:

1.  First, make a nice big bowl of popcorn!  It doesn't matter if you use bag, stove, or air popped popcorn.  Any popcorn will dow.  If you like buttery popcorn, now is the time to give it a good coating of the Pam Butter Spray.

TIP: Divide the popcorn into two bowls.  This makes it easier to stir in the rest of the ingredients.

2.  Now melt your caramel bits.  Follow the instructions on the bag or melt them in 45 second increments, stirring in between, to avoid burning.  Once the caramel is melted, drizzle it over the popcorn as you stir it.  The goal is to get a little bit of caramel on each piece.

3.  Now sprinkle in your M&M's, candy corn, and sprinkles.  Add as much of each as you choose!

Let the caramel cool before serving.

This can be served in bowls like shown above, or it can be bagged to hand out as yummy treats.

Have a great day, ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

How to Make a Centerpiece with Real Pumpkins

Recently, the lovely people of Cameron's Home Furnishings invited us to teach a class at their store on decorating with real pumpkins.  First things first, if you have never been to their store in downtown Lee's Summit, go there now!  Everything is absolutely beautiful - you could spend hours in there shopping your little heart away!

Anyway, back to the pumpkins!  We spent an evening with almost 30 lovely ladies, sharing with them our favorite tips and tricks for using real pumpkins in centerpieces and displays.

Of course, we love our blog readers so much that we just had to share those secrets with you too.  Enjoy!

First of all, remember this little poem when it comes to decorating centerpieces:

Base

Think Big

Fill, Line, or Bunch

Tweak to Add a Punch!

Let's break that down for ya!

Base - Always start out with a base to give yourself a boundaries.  This can be a table runner, a piece of fabric, a tray, a basket, a mirror, a tree stump, anything!  If you want something a bit more dramatic, choose something that elevates your centerpiece from the table.  If you're looking for something convenient with little kids around, choose a tray or basket that you can easily move.

Think Big - Once you have your base, the next step is to add your biggest items.  We usually recommend adding at least three large items that are slightly different heights to create a visual triangle.  This is a great place to add your pumpkins or gourds.  By the way, pie pumpkins (the middle sized) work great for this.  Also, you don't want any of your items to be over 8" tall if you are using this on a table.  Some people recommend nothing over 1 foot, but that seems to block a lot of people's views across the table.  Remember: You want them to be talking about the centerpiece, not over it!

Fill, Line, or Bunch - Next is the fun part!  This is where you start to make your centerpiece come to life.  There are three main ways that you can put together a centerpiece.  You can fill it (i.e. put a bunch of pumpkins and pine cones into a basket), you can line it (pumpkins and candles in a row), or you can bunch it (create a vignette using pumpkins and decorative items).  If you are putting a display together and it just doesn't seem right, try switching up what you are using.  We can usually guarantee that one of these three will work.

Tweak to Add a Punch - This is the step where you look back and see what is needed/missing.  Maybe it is color, so you can throw in some bright mini pumpkins.  Maybe it needs more texture, so you can add some leaves.  Maybe you're missing height and can throw in a taller lantern.  Play around with it and have fun!  Remember:  You can always add something and remove it.  Sometimes you'll be surprised at how something unusual will make a great impact!

When It Comes to Shopping for Your Centerpiece...

First, know your style.  One of the easiest ways to do this is to create a Pinterest Board and see what you pin the most.

Second, know how to pick the right pumpkins (ones that will last).  You can find our Pumpkin Picking Tips here!

Third, when it comes to purchasing the other items, we recommend three things:

1.  Choose items that you can use year-round.  You'll see that in almost all of the images, several of the items can be used outside of Fall.

2. Invest in versatile items.  Pine cones, leaves, scary cloth, etc. can all be used several different ways each fall season.

3.  When choosing seasonal items, pick ones that you LOVE!  You know that feeling when you open up your bin of decorations and get excited over one of your favorite pieces?  That's what you want for almost everything you own!  Right now, Cameron's has the most adorable Fall and Halloween pieces you've ever seen!  It's the kind of stuff that you will love for years and years to come!

  

Trust us, if you follow these tips you'll be well on your way to having a centerpiece that is the talk of the table!

Have a great day, ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

PS - Don't forget to go like our friends at Cameron's Home Furnishings on Facebook!  

Posing With Pumpkins

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 Yesterday we shared with you how to get the BEST Pumpkin Patch photos using your iPhone.
Today we thought that we would provide you some inspiration.  Here are some of our favorite children, family, and couple pumpkin patch photo ideas!

Pumpkins and Kiddos

I mean, c'mon! Can there be a cuter combination?

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Pumpkins and Love

Pumpkins are the perfect touch to proposals, save-the-dates, or even just a romantic photo with the one you love.  Wouldn't you agree?

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Pumpkins and Families

Faulkner's Pumpkin Farm is all about families - so why not take a picture of yours while you're here!  We just love how warm and cozy these pictures look.

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Looking for more inspiration?

Check out our Pinterest Board!  We're always adding new ideas!

Why not perfect your photo skills at the Pumpkin Farm this weekend?  We'll be celebrating Grandparents all weekend long!  To show our appreciation, all grandparents receive 1/2 off admission with the purchase of a grandchild's admission.

{  Click Here to See What Else We Have Going On }

Have a great day ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's 

How To Get The Best Pumpkin Patch Photos With Your iPhone

These days most people take pictures on their smart phones.  Why not?  It's so convenient and is such an easy way to capture moments with your family!  One of the best places to catch those fun moments: The Pumpkin Farm! 

So, in order to help you get the best pictures from your Pumpkin Farm trip, here are some tips and tricks for taking the best photos with your iPhone.

PHOTO TAKING TIPS:

:: Watch your light!  The sun is your friend.  Good light means good photos.  If it is too dark they will turn out grainy.  Lucky for you, most of the pumpkin farm activities are outside.  Just make sure that your kiddo's faces aren't in the shadows.  The best way to make sure of this is to place your back to the light/sun.  That way the light is shining on your subjects.

:: Focus! Tap the persons face on the screen to focus (or whatever you are wishing to focus on).  You don't want that smile to be blurry!

:: Snap, Snap, Snap Away!  It is best to take multiple photos of the same shot (the iPhone is great for this!)  Kids move a lot and look in different directions.  By taking several photos, chances are one of them will be a gem!

:: Get Up Close and Personal!  Don't be afraid to get close to your subject.  Fill the frame to avoid extras.  This avoids having to do crops where you lose a lot of the photo quality.

:: Be Silly!  Make faces, do a goofy dance move, whatever it takes to get the best faces!  Yes, you might be making a fool of yourself, but you'll get better pictures for it - trust us! ;o)

EDITING APPS:

After you are done taking your photos, now it is time to edit.  Today there are a ton of apps available to download that make editing a breeze (and really fun!).  Here are a few of our favorites!

:: Afterlight - This is a great app for basic editing.  You can enhance, crop, brighten, and sharpen your photos all within this app.  It also has great filters and frames.

:: A Beautiful Mess - This app is a lot of fun!  Add filters, doodles, and phrases to add some pizazz to your photos.

:: Rhonna Designs - This is another great app to add personality to your photos.  Our favorite thing about this one is the vast variety of phrases that are available.

:: PicFrame - This app is for creating photo and video collages.  You can add up to nine photos or videos.

:: PicStitch - Another great collage tool!  This one offers a wide variety in your frame options.

:: PicPlayPost - The original app that allows you to combine your photos and videos into one image.  Great to use before posting to Instagram!

:: Flipagram - This app allows you to create a slideshow of your photos before sharing them on Instagram.

Awesome new apps are coming out everyday.  To find them, go to your App Store.  Click "Top Charts" at the bottom of the screen.  Then click "Categories" in the top left corner, scroll down and select "Photo and Video."  From there you can see the top apps, both free and paid.

SHARING YOUR PHOTOS:

Now it's time to share them!  We love when our guests share their photos with us online.  There are two ways to do this:

:: Instagram - Use our hashtag #FaulknersRanch
or

:: Facebook - After you upload your photos, tag Faulkner's Ranch.

For some more advice on getting the best pumpkin patch photos visit here and here!

Follow these tips and tricks, and you'll be sure to have some photos that will make you feel like you are back at the Pumpkin Farm again!

Have a great day, ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

What to Bring to the Pumpkin Farm

Yesterday we shared with you some helpful tips and tricks to make the most of your trip to the Pumpkin Farm.  Today we are doing a little more to make sure that you have the best time ever when you come to see us by giving you a checklist with some things you might want to bring.

• Camera or Camera Phone - Gotta be sure to capture all of those fun moments!  Make sure it is fully charged the night before.  You might even bring some extra camera batteries just in case.
• Purse/Backpack/Diaper Bag
• Stroller or Wagon - At Faulkner's Ranch, we are stroller friendly!  Paved sidewalks lead to almost every attraction making it easy to get around.
• Hand Sanitizer - We have hand sanitizer stations (those goats can get pretty sloppy when they eat sometimes), but it is always a good idea to have your own, especially if you would like to avoid the line.
• Jacket/Coat/Hat/Gloves - You never know what the weather is going to be like in October in Kansas City.  That is why we recommend dressing in layers.
• Comfortable Shoes - With the variety of activities that are offered at the ranch, we recommend wearing close-toed, comfortable shoes.
• Sunglasses/Hat
• Sunscreen
• Coupons - Have you seen the one in KC Parent magazine?
• Extra Money - You'll need this for pumpkins, food, gift shop items, and certain extra attractions (i.e. face painting, pony rides, etc.)
• Towels for the Car - We have a Pumpkin Wash station to get your pumpkins nice and shiny before you bring them home.  However, it is still a good idea to bring a towel to place them on so that you don't get any dirt on your car floor.

And of course, don't forget to bring all of your Pump-KIN!  Faulkner's Ranch is a great place to bring the whole family.  After all, we are a family-owned and run business.  In our opinion, the more family the merrier!

We hope this list is helpful!  If you think of anything else to add, please let us know!

Have a great day, ya'll!  See you out at the ranch soon!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's