Man Made DIY

There's a somewhat famous pumpkin festival about an hour from my house, which came very highly recommended when I first moved to the city six years ago. It's standard fair and festival stuff: touring food trailers and games, local non-profits and faith communities fundraisers, student art, etc. It's kinda crazy and kitschy and pretty awesome, and certainly worth a visit. But, after a few years, my attendance slowed: mostly 'cause all we'd do is stand around and eat mediocre food that's really bad for you, look at the cloggers, get stuck behind the parade, and stand in line for forty-five minutes for some seriously tasty, piping hot fresh pumpkin doughnuts, the highlight of the festival if you ask anyone.

So, this year, we decided to skip the drive and the parking fiasco and the food-on-sticks, and just make pumpkin doughnuts at home.

And they were incredible. … read more

Each Wednesday, I post some of my favorite can't-miss links, images, and otherwise mindblowing goodies from across the web.

2,000 suspended dandelions...just imagine both the kind and level of work that it would take to pull this off.   … read more

Each Halloween season, I allow myself one 'cool pumpkin carving' post. I've been collecting ideas all month, and they've just been sitting there at the end of my tabs list, hoping to be chosen.

Then, this morning, I saw the work of sculptor Ray Villafane, and I closed them all.

Even if I carved a jack-o-lantern this year, I dunno where I'd put it in my house. It'd have to sit on the floor somewhere, out of sight, making it not worth the effort. (Which, as you might guess...is why they don't get carved at my house.)

But, a family of tiny little gourds with oversized fangs and eerie red eyes. Those I can handle.   … read more

It's September, friends, and for many, that means the return of the fall favorites, the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Though rumor has it that you can actually get these year 'round if you just ask, they're certainly just right for autumn time, and the kind of thing you wanna drink this time of year. And it turns out, you can make them at home. So, whether you want to enjoy instead of braving the blustery autumnal winds, or wanna save some serious cash, you can whip some up any day of the week, at home and on the cheap.