Sunday, October 26, 2008

pumpkin madness


The week of Halloween has finally arrived, and my children can talk of nothing else. Yesterday we had a pumpkin extravaganza. We always carve one pumpkin for each of us. I've collected a wide assortment of child-friendly tools and we let them design and carve on their own as much as possible. Several years back my son begged for a fancy carving kit that came with a wide assortment of templates. Each year we take them out and admire them, and then agree that they look too tricky. It's satisfying to design your own, but this year. My big ten year old was totally ready to give it a try. He carved for two hours! I only helped a little itty bit. The front of the pumpkin has two rats...the back is carved, as well, so that it will project a shadow of a cat face onto the wall... spooky. This is the pattern book it came from here.


He was so proud of himself, and rightly so!

I kept trying to take a picture of our three inside pumpkins (the biggest is on the porch), but someone kept trying to make off with my props. Fresh baked pumpkin-cranberry-chocolate chip muffin/cookies. Can't blame them, they're addicting. By this morning, they were almost gone!

I got the recipe from a friend, who got the recipe from a friend, who got it here. We make them every year and so far, everyone who's ever tasted them wants the recipe immediately. Our version has a few variations and less sugar(organic).. .sometimes mixed with maple syrup , grain sweetened chocolate chips and cranberries. It seems like the kind of recipe that you can modify to your liking and ingredients on hand.

We always roast the seeds after carving and nibble on them throughout the day. After rinsing them, we toss them in olive oil, garlic, salt and a dash of maple syrup. Then we spread on a cookie sheet and roast until golden... mmm! I took a moment to sit in the fading sun and look around at the rapidly changing scenery.


Winter is right around the corner here in the Northeast. Tree skeletons are everywhere...

Cows graze in a cut cornfield....


Take a look up at my banner. Here's the same view a couple of weeks later!


I've been squeezing in a bit of sewing and am having so much fun coming up with new designs. Some are still in the prototype phase, but if you stop by tomorrow I'll give you a sneak peek.
Happy Monday! Pin It

15 comments:

  1. Halloween is one of my most favorite holidays especially from when I was a kid and now being able to spread the joy with my grandkids. We did pumpking caring too and apple picking on Saturday.
    Your cookies look nummy.

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  2. Wow...he really did a terrific job carving his pumpkin!! It is starting to feel like Halloween is coming...even in Hawaii!!...and the girls are getting veeryyy excited. I think we might have to make up a batch of those delicious cookies tonight and finish decorating the house:)

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  3. ....I cant believe how different everything looks there in the fall...soooo beautiful!!!

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  4. Well done on that pumpkin carving - that really is a great job! Thank goodness we live in an age digital photos to remember these great works by!

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  5. He did such a great job!!!! We used all of our pumpkins as well... we love the seeds. And I made pumpkin bread! I just love fall :)

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  6. What a joyful post! Beautiful job on all of the pumpkins, and extra kudos to your son for the amazing job he did! We always roast our seeds, too... I especially like your method, sounds extra yummy, and I will be sure to give it a try!

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  7. I love the views! They seem so peaceful. Your 10 year old did an awesome job! I was going to wait until thursday to carve our pumpkins...maybe we should do it sooner to enjoy them longer.

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  8. your son carved such an amazing pumpkin. He could give Martha S . a run for her money. Almost all the color is gone around here from the trees but as I was walking in the woods today after work I came across a big surprise that relates to your post and that I will post about later in the week.

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  9. I'm loving your pictures and the banner is STUNNING! It pretty much sums up everything I love about Fall. The trees, the color, outdoor crispness...love!

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  10. B is bouncing off the walls! we are so excited to carve around here...I have not had the patience to use the templates....triangles and half-moons all the way.

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  11. That pumpkin is absolutely amazing. What a wonderful job.

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  12. what a great job on the pumpkin. he should be very proud. if i can find the ingredients i think those cookies sound yummy - i am a sucker for cranberry. your pictures have me longing for a fall in the u.s. i haven't had that in so long

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  13. Thanks to everyone for all of the comments on MY pumpkin!!! I had a great time carving it and it was certainly worth it!

    -my son typed this for all of you :)

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  14. Halloween is so exciting! Thank you for sharing all the pumpkin (and typing) goodness around your home :) Your son's pumpkin does ROCK, as do all the others :)

    I have also especially enjoyed the wonderful projects you have made with your burlap material -- they are modern, yet so nostalgic.

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  15. lovely photos! i'm in the northeast, too, but we still have lots of leaves....

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