Happy Halloween! Or Harvest Festival or CandyCandyCandy Day! Whatever you & yours celebrate. :)
I have a deep love of carving pumpkins. I think one year I carved four just on my own. I see no reason to let kids have all the fun! I don't go for the old triagle eyes & nose models, but CERTAINLY don't posses a bit of talent you see on those master carvers on tv. :-/
Anywho, however you like to turn your pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern picking a truly excellent 'kin is important! These tips will help display all your hard work the best and hopefully lengthen it's "porch life". )
This is a "pre-tip" and may sound kinda crazy. But, if you CAN decide on your pattern or design before you hit the pumpkin patch or farmer's market it'll potentially save you some headaches.
I've used & love Pumpkin Master Pattern books for decades. (Ps-save the tools every year! A little stash is helpful for breakage & carving parties! :) ) You can find many online now by googling it. :)
1.) Look for a pumpkin with a fun stem. Sometimes all of them have been de-stemmed ,and in that case, pick your favorite. :) Why! 'Cuz you cut out pumpkin open from the bottom, right?? ;) It's awesome trick that makes your finished jack-o-lantern look more magical and professional.:)
2.) Consider your pattern/design.
Does it fit better on a tall pumpkin or maybe short rotund fellow. :) But, a safe bet is a pumpkin with a broad round "face". That's what I did this time. $5 for that beauty at Sam's! 23 lbs!! (I put it on the bathroom scale ;p)
3.) While considering your shape, you need to also be sure your pumpkin had a good "face". If you can see in my photo, my pumpkin's front slopes upward gently. And from the photo below, you can see it's average roundness of the face.
No, that isn't a tiny crane behind the pumpkin, it's the banana hanger on the fruit basket. ;)
Now than you've found a few potentials, we need to check the pumpkin itself if fresh & healthy!
4.) No soft or soggy bottoms! Actually check the whole thing to be sure there aren't bruises, holes, cracks, mold, or signs of spoilage or damage.
*You can make exceptions for "scabbed over" cuts and scrapes. I would just be suspect if one contained a lot or were soft at ALL around them.
5.) It is SO hard to carve a jack-o-lantern here in the South -when in the end of October it's still 80's-70's- and enjoy it more than one MAYBE two evenings. So, if you have space, store your jack-o-lantern in your 'fridge with a bit if plastic wrap. BUT! Be sure to watch for trapped moisture that can turn into mold. There are lots other tips online just waiting for you. :)
Quick Side Trip:
Actually, this my trick for being able to enjoy flowers - like from a sweet & handsome husband ;) - for as long as possible. I store the bouquet in the fridge when I'm not enjoying them- overnight, going to be out for the day etc. That plus fresh water & using those cut flower food powders. :) Normally I can keep roses for at least two weeks. Honest!
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We're lucky to have a 'fridge that has a kinda trap door like shelf. You flip if up and by sacrificing 1/3 of we get about 2.5' of vertical space. :)
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So there you have it! I hope all my friends post thier jack-o-lantern pics! Happy Halloween!
