We never carved pumpkins until this year. It wasn’t something I grew up with — I don’t think my husband did, either. Then when my kids were very young I was perhaps over concerned about the evil origins of things — it’s something we heard and read a lot about back then. And though I do think it’s cause for consideration, on the other hand, if it’s a tradition that has moved away from its origins and no one connects it with that today, then by and large I don’t think it is a problem, though of course everyone must wrestle with his or own own conscience in these matters. But I think in general when people see carved pumpkins, they think, “Oh, how cute!” rather than, “I wonder what nefarious reasons people first had for doing such a thing.”
Anyway, no one ever really brought up the idea or asked to carve pumpkins until this year. One of my favorite comments of the evening was when Jim teased Mittu, saying, “All these years of having boys, I never had to carve pumpkins, but I get one girl….”
Here are a few pictures from the evening:
Getting started:
Jason scooping out pumpkin goo:
Jason pretending to eat pumpkin goo:
Yuck! I had heard pumpkin innards were pretty gross, and I can confirm the truth of it. I never knew how bad they smelled, though. It smelled like…someone was having digestive discomforts of various sorts. Jason wondered where anyone ever got the idea of making pies out of these. I said probably someone who was hungry and didn’t want to eat them as is and tried to figure out a way to make them palatable by adding lots of sugar and spices.
I’ve heard roasted pumpkin seeds are good and should have tried that since we had them there, but I just wasn’t inspired to. I’m not much of a seed eater in general.
The inside of a pumpkin before scraping:
The inside of a pumpkin after scraping:
They had bought a little kit that had various carving tools, scarpers, and some patterns.
Jim got his pattern from that: Jason and Mittu got theirs online.
Jim’s pumpkin:
Jason’s pumpkin without the light…
…And with the light:
Mittu’s pumpkin:
Recognize them? 🙂
Mittu also painted one for Grandma:
Final products on the porch:
Jesse didn’t do one — he was off playing computer games. I hadn’t planned to do one, but near the end I was kind of wishing I had. I have a few small ones I am trying to decide whether to paint or just to enjoy as they are. I don’t know if we’ll make this an annual event, but it was a fun evening.
We ended up not getting any trick-or-treaters. I knew we wouldn’t get many — there are only a few children on our street. But it was kind of disappointing not to get any. I missed seeing the little kids dressed up and excited. But I am glad to get away from the Halloween in our old house, where people brought kids in from I don’t know where, and you could hardly inch your car through the streets because there were so many people, and you could run through a fortune in candy in a very short time. That was ridiculous. But it would have been nice to have a few come by. I did see one little Snow White in the grocery store and one child in a purple cape and hat (queen, maybe?) at Grandma’s assisted living place. Jason and Mittu stopped by the mall to see some of the kids dressed up there and then came over. It was a fun evening, but I’ll know not to buy candy next year, or at least a lot less!
Stray Thoughts 
For it being your first time carving pumpkins, you guys did terrific! Where I grew up there used to be 200-300 kids that trick or treated in the neighborhood. Where I live now, we get 26. No kids can be disappointing. When I lived in my condo, the first year I got one and then none the following 2 years. I love seeing the little kids in costume.
Wow – those are some beautiful pumpkins!
I understand your feelings about Halloween. I have true regrets about not doing anything with it for my children. We completely ignored the holiday, under the thinking of it having evil connotations. I look back now and see that we could have enjoyed the positive aspects of it – carving pumpkins, dressing up in non-offensive costumes, and getting candy from the neighbors – without offending our consciences. My children would have loved that part of it, and I really regret it.
Jaw drop on Jason’s pumpkin! W-o-w!!!!
I love the look of carved pumpkins but I’m not a fan of the mess I’m sure that they create and the work that is involved. You’ve confirmed this…with the description of the smell to boot! HA! Maybe when the kids are older.
Seriously impressed with Jason’s skills.
WOW! Everyone did a great job. I had thought Jason’s was quite messed up without the candle, but once it’s lit… WOW-ie!
I agree, the pumpkin innards are gross! 🙂
We don’t usually pass out candy, since we’re out with our youngest. But a funny thing happened last night. We had just walked in from trick or treating and didn’t even have our door shut yet when a young teen knocks on the door. Since I hadn’t passed candy and the front porch light was never on, I wasn’t thinking it would be a T or T’er. So I open the door and ask what he needs. He says “Candy”. I’m like wow, you had to have been on our heels and even saw us get out of the truck and come in the house (at 9:00 to boot!)
Crazy!
Wow! Those pumpkins are works of art — truly! And what a difference the light made in Jason’s.
We didn’t get a single trick or treater either, and I ate far too much of the leftover candy today. We took the girls around the neighborhood though, and there were definitely folks out. So maybe it’s just that we were not home during the prime treating hour.
You guys did awesome for your first time. The Spock one was amazing. I never would have guessed from the unlit picture what it was. But a perfect likeness once it’s lit!
I am definitely impressed! The Dr. Spock was truly the most amazing pumpkin carving I ever saw, with shadow effects and everything!
I had to laugh about your pumpkin comments. Here in Europe, we use it like a vegetable. I plan to have some today tossed with pasta. :o) It really is like butternut squash, only not so nutty.
Our daughter just sent us pictures of her little boy in a pumpkin shirt. Too cute! He’s 10 months old.
Love to all,
Lou Ann
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I loved the carving process you had so wonderfully captured on camera! I never knew how carving a pumpkin would look or feel like. Thank you for the pictures! How fun!