Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween time is here again. For the first time ever I decided to smoke a brisket. Conveniently I had 2 briskets and 2 recipes so I decided to try them both!

Our smoker box with Apple and Cherry Wood (Cherry Wood was donated by the one and only Doc Shirley!)

Our little smoker

The 2 briskets placed on the smoker ready to cook!

Briskets cooked half way! Is your mouth watering???

The finished product! They turned out fantastic with an insane smoke flavor!

This did not go as planned! Perhaps a better trained dog human would work better!

Have a great Halloween and keep those little trick-or-treaters safe!

The ultimate fail

Apparently last night there was something spectacular that occurred here in Indiana. The northern lights were very active and able to be seen in Indiana...a very RARE occasion and a photographers dream.  Late last year meteorologists all over Indiana told of the slight possibility of seeing the northern lights. I headed north way out in the country away from lights and sat and waited only to be disappointed to see nothing. Yesterday there was absolutely no mention from any meteorologist of the fact that there may be a possibility of viewing the northern lights. Late last night into the early morning they were said to be the best showing since 2004, very colorful, vivid, vibrant and beautiful along with a perfectly clear sky and bright stars. I follow several meteorologists from all areas and yesterday nothing....nada....zip resulting in the ultimate fail of a picture perfect opportunity.

A beautiful fall day

The colors of fall consume me

Grasshopper

Kitty Bravo trying to capture the grasshopper...

Preying Mantis...the smartest species on earth!

Leaves the size of a certain 8 year old's head!

Beautiful Border Collie Joy

Faith always smiling

 

Faith with her "ball"...a hedge apple!

So peaceful...

So pretty...

Sap burning out of the logs...

A little peace of heaven on earth!

Hayride and the Harvest Moon

A hayride and the harvest moon makes for the most fantastic evening here in Central Indiana. There is nothing better than spending time with friends and family, picking up the camera and capturing the moments to treasure forever. It amazes me that I can pick up a camera and forget everything that has just happened.  I become completely consumed by my surroundings and it's so peaceful.

Scarecrow at the beginning of the hayride

The shack - back in the middle of the woods

My mother's HOBO stew A.K.A. beef stew cooking over the fire

Ghost

A certain 8 year old getting some serious airtime on the swing!

Kids enjoying the activities

Even this helicopter couldn't miss the action!

It's all about the kids

Big Al hanging around bullfrog pond pass

My beautiful Mother!

Enjoying the hayride

You can't have a hayride unless there is hay flying everywhere! One of my favorites!

Bobbing for donuts

The kids love this part!

My absolute favorite picture of the day!

The Harvest Moon

Fall in Indiana

I am not sure it gets any better than fall in Indiana. The changing trees, the cooler air and the wildlife comes to life!

Cute little grasshopper that smacked my son in the face while riding on the golf cart.

Willy Worm

Have you ever heard of a puffball? It's a huge mushroom that makes for a great Puffball Pitching Competition! Here you see a big puffball and when the time comes we will pick it, then drop it from 3 stories high onto a bright pink target. Whoever gets the closest wins! Great fun for the kids!!!

Puffball

Scoping down the barrel of a cat! A certain 8 year old and kitty "Effin Tony"

 

 

 

I don't think it gets any better!

Just the beginning

The above photo's were taken at Prairie Creek Reservoir in Muncie, Indiana.