Tag Archives: pumpkin carving

5 Unusual Uses for Your Halloween Pumpkin

Pumpkins, pumpkins: tis the season for these orange-colored balls of seasonal goopiness. It’s time to carve them and eat them and turn them into everything imaginable. If you like pumpkins, here are some ideas that go a little bit beyond the ordinary. 5 Unusual Uses for Pumpkins Flower Pot There’s something better than flowers: it’s autumn flowers in a pumpkin! Use your carved pumpkin to house a fall arrangement, and it will make your front porch look delightfully festive. Candle holder I’m loving those little gourds-turned-candleholders. Get a wee pumpkin, carve it out, and place a candle in the middle. … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: October 20th Through October 26th

We spent a wonderful weekend enjoying the fall weather and our town’s pumpkin festival. There was free pumpkin carving, hay rides, scarecrow building, balloons, treat bags, snacks and much more. It was a great way to enjoy the season. What traditions or activities do you do in your home? I’d love to hear how you enjoy the season as a family! While you are thinking that over, check out last week’s Home Blog posts. October 20th Home Week in Review: October 13th Through October 19th Have your gone out and jumped in some leaves yet? In my household, I do … Continue reading →

Carving a Friendly Pumpkin

Last night we carved our big pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern, or should I say bat-o-lantern, since the pattern we chose was a bat. This was the first time that we have actually carved a pumpkin in five years. Previously, our kids were too young to appreciate the activity. Well, one is still too young, but he went to sleep early, anyway. Although we have no problem with Halloween, we do concentrate on the friendly and not scary aspects of the celebration. After all, it does have some Christian influences, believe it or not. The Christians, wanting to convert pagans and … Continue reading →

Pumpkin Carving Options

When I was little, carved pumpkins were called jack o’lanterns. I don’t hear that term too much anymore. Back then our jack o’lanterns had two triangle eyes, and upside down triangle for a nose, and a scraggly tooth grin. It must have been so hard to carve a pumpkin with a butcher knife. I’m sure that is why the teeth usually were repaired with toothpicks. Inside the jack o’lantern we put a stub of an old candle. Today pumpkin carvers have so many options. You can buy special pumpkin carving drills and tools. You can buy stencils, foam pumpkins, light … Continue reading →

Carving Pumpkins – Whose Idea WAS This?

I found myself wondering last night, as I was elbow-deep in pumpkin guts, who the heck invented the practice of pumpkin carving? My husband swears it had to be a pumpkin farmer. After all, who else would think of something that’s so, well…hard?! Let’s face it, it’s not an easy task. First you have to cut off the top. If you’re anything like me, you may have cut that top too small more than once, making the next step nearly impossible. Next, you have to reach your hand inside the pumpkin and attempt to pull out the seeds and “meat.” … Continue reading →

Do Something Different with Pumpkins

Are you looking for something different to do with pumpkins this year? Tired of the same old stuff? Try some of these cool ideas: Pumpkin Planters for Outdoors and In Here’s a cool idea to dress up the outside of your home for Halloween or Harvest Day. Instead of making a typical jack-o-lantern, just cut the top off the pumpkin and clean out the inside. Don’t cut out a face as you normally would. Instead, fill the pumpkin with soil and add a hearty plant that can withstand cool temperatures. You can also use artificial plants if desired. Make a … Continue reading →