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Tuesday, October 09, 2007 12:03 PM

Carving Out Time

The best part about autumn is that it's prime pumpkin picking season. This weekend that was the prime to-do activity on our to-do list. Well, sort of! After devoting a good portion of the day hunting for the perfect pumpkin, I realized that I needed to kick it up a notch.

In the past, I usually just set the orange guys out on the counter or on the front stoop, but this year I’m taking a more creative route. This weekend, I plan to carve at least one of the pumpkins. I picked up this fun pumpkin carving kit at CrateandBarrel.com. I love the stencils that are included for the funny face I plan to create. Childish? Maybe. But after getting the kit you’ll want to bust out your best Edward Scissorhands job on your pumpkin too.

I’m also going to toast the seeds for some delicious - and nutritious- snacks. A few friends claim that pumpkin seeds make great salad and soup toppers and can even be great additions to casseroles and pasta dishes…particularly butternut squash or pumpkin risotto and ravioli.

Have any fun autumn tricks for carving that jack-o-lantern or any pumpkin-related recipes to pass along?

Posted by Nest Krissy
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Comments

re: Carving Out Time

My now husband and I dated five years before we married. Every year we both use those pumpkin kits to help dress up the porch for the holidays. Then of course I dress up the dog and we have a "Family Picture." Have fun with your kit!!

Posted by StresFreBride2B    Tuesday, October 09, 2007 7:50 PM


re: Carving Out Time

You don't have to spend the $$ for the Crate and Barrel kit - just get one by Pumpkin Masters at your local grocery or big box store. If you clean the tools right away after carving, they will keep for years to come. . .I still have mine from 6 years ago!

Following the instructions is a breeze. . .because you basically use the pattern to make your own "Lite Brite" design on the front of your pumpkin, rather than drawing on it, and those become your cut lines.

Another advantage of the Pumpkin Masters kits is that they come with 10 patterns in a book, ready-to-go. I HIGHLY recommend photocopying your favorites so that you can use them over and over again.

Posted by Thebazile78    Thursday, October 11, 2007 7:13 AM


re: Carving Out Time

that's a great idea. thanks for passing along!

Posted by Nest Krissy    Thursday, October 11, 2007 8:13 AM


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