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It's a beautiful Fall day - you head
out to your local pumpkin patch in
the hope of finding that one and only
orange globe that will captivate the
youngsters, and bring some chuckles
and giggles from young and old alike.
Of course, your pumpkin is totally
free of any bruises or blemishes and
it definitely is in the shape of that idea
that keeps popping up in your head of
the kind of face you want to carve this
year.
A smooth and evenly colored one is
absolutely perfect. It should have a flat
bottom and should be able to sit upright.
If you have very small children who want
to lend a hand this year in carving, pick
a lighter-colored, and softer pumpkin to
make their first attempts a bit easier.
With handy marker in hand, you lightly
trace your design or run one off on the
computer as a pattern. You could also
play "connect the dots" and then cut.
Then the fun begins - you cut, saw, and
push and pull and there you have it -
the perfect "this year's" sensational
pumpkin.
(You should really scrape away
the pulp until the area you plan to carve
is 1" thick. Hold your saw like a pencil
and saw steadily up and down, just like a
sewing maching. Don't use saws to cut
the lid, or twist, bend or jab.)
Two things happen to pumpkins once you
cut them. They dry out and shrivel or they
mold. Not good! To protect, cover the carved
areas with plastic wrap, if not using a candle,
or with vaseline. Should the worse happen
and that pumpkin shrivels, don't despair.
Soak it in water for 6-8 hours. Use a bucket
or bathtub. Let it drain and then dry it very
carefully.
Come Halloween night your pumpkin will
be the highlight of your outdoor decor and
your artistic talent will shine!
For easier lighting, cut the "lid" from the
bottom and fit the pumpkin over the light,
instead of reaching in. A whole lot easier
and safer -
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