The Great Pumpkin Carve Off
by Julie Johnson, Tastemaker in Residence
Some of my favorite sights of the Halloween season are jack-o-lanterns lighting up porches around neighborhoods! There is a simplicity about them, yet they bring out creativity among family members.
Photo by Julie Johnson
My husband is one of the most innovative pumpkin carvers! When the boys were younger, they loved having him design the spooky faces for their jack-o-lanterns. That was when dad was still cool…now they embrace their own unique style for creating these glowing orange wonders. Whatever personality you are trying to create with your jack-o-lantern, remember, it is not necessary to use a bunch of fancy tools or pumpkin carving kits. Our pumpkin carving missions are always successful with these basic supplies:
Newspaper (to line your work area)
Disposable gloves (for removing all those squishy pumpkin guts)
Spoon (for scraping some of the stringy matter from the pumpkin walls)
A creative mind (feeling you lack creativity; use Pinterest or Google)
A washable marker (to draw your spooky face on the pumpkin) – Note: Sharpie markers will not wash off from your pumpkin
Sharp Knife (to cut out your spooky face)
Dad’s famous last words of “Be Careful!” A necessary reminder when you are working with knives.
Oh, forgot to mention one thing…what pumpkin carving mission would be complete without a debate about whose is the BEST? You know, competition is fierce among three teenage boys! So, we are asking you as readers to be the judge. Please comment with your favorite jack-o-lantern.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
photo by Julie Johnson