Pumpkins With Noses

As the fall progresses towards Halloween I cannot help but reflect on the colors of this awesome season, specifically, the wonderful orange hues that radiate from pumpkins.  The pumpkin is one of the most versatile and durable members of the squash family.  It serves as both food and decoration.  Pumpkins come in all manner of sizes and varieties.  Many people seek out the sugar pumpkins for their pies and other baked goods.

My skill at baking is in the realm of “non-existent.” I have, however, found my own niche in the wide universe of the pumpkin.  I carve them.  This might seem a closely guarded secret to some as I did it in literal anonymity for years for the amusement of my kids and myself.  We get very few trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood and it is rare that my carved pumpkins ever last until Halloween as the squirrels typically descend on them and by the time they have gnawed a hole big enough to get to the seeds my handiwork has been obliterated.

One would think that with two of my kids in college and the youngest a sophomore in high school I might give up my annual pumpkin carving endeavor.  Nope, it’s just too much fun to expose the faces hiding inside of pumpkins to stop.  I live around the corner from Krell Farm and their pumpkin display is irresistible.  I will stop in to get some spaghetti squash or tomatoes or onions, or whatever, and invariably the gravitational pull of the pumpkins sucks me in and the next thing you know I’m making two trips to my car with my orange goods.

I can’t tell you how long it took me to carve my annual allotment as you truly lose track of time when you are doing something as rewarding as transforming a pumpkin into a squash with personality.  Although some of my pumpkins scowl, I am smiling ear-to-ear as I carve them. 

There is nothing more peaceful than the beauty of an October day and the glorious orange aura emitted from a pumpkin on the front step.  Carve some pumpkins, learn how to bake pumpkin pie and have a Happy Halloween!