Pumpkin Carving Time

Tonight we transformed our plain old pumpkin into a dazzling Jack O’Lantern.

Here’s the BEFORE picture:

Maddie designed his face.  She drew a fairly traditional triangle style face, with a few Maddie-riffic features thrown in such as freckles and cheek circles.

First, Dave cut off his lid:

         

Next Maddie and Jack did some digging.  We had a bowl for seeds (for roasting later) and a bowl for yucky pumpkin guts.  Ben, by the way, has never liked pumpkin carving, and opted out of this portion of tonight’s entertainment.

              

Once the pumpkin was all cleaned out, Maddie and Dave started cleaning these…

…into this…they then boiled the seeds in salt water and then roasted them in the oven:

              

Meanwhile, I carved Mr. O’Lantern as Jack looked on longingly.  I have used an electric pumpkin knife for a few years now and LOOOOOVE  it!  Much easier and safer than ramming a kitchen knife in and out!

Ben joined us for our final pictures, the first in natural outdoor light so you can see the pumpkin’s light, the second with the flash. 

                              Happy Halloween!