carving pumpkins with power tools

Our pumpkins barely made it to the carving blocks this year. In fact, if I hadn't rescued them quickly enough our chickens would have made short order of them, just like this scene. In fact, the chickens had already started some of the "carving" for us.

Since we didn't get to the carving until after Halloween, I really wanted to encourage the girls away from faces to something that could be more Fall-ish. Emma seemed pretty dead-set on carving something scary into her pumpkin...that is, until I brought out her daddy's power drill.

I wish I had pictures--bits of pumpkin flying everywhere. Girls wielding power tools. But a mother can only handle so much power tool safety without trying to photograph it at the same time. Some things are better left to the imagination.

Once the carving was finished, I happily carried the pulpy mess into my kitchen where I spent a painstakingly long amount of time cleaning the seeds. I LOVE pumpkin seeds. I mean, seriously LOOOVE them. It really bothers me if I accidentally let one slip into the discard pile, or I miss one hiding in the pulp. I get every.single.seed.

And then I roast them with a little salt and butter in the skillet, all while fighting off little fingers who try to get in on the goodness.

Now they are sitting on the center of our kitchen table in a canning jar, whose lid I have screwed on so tight, I can barely get it off myself. It's kid-proof, requiring help (and the rationing of seeds) whenever little children decide they want to dip in to the treasure chest of seed-wealth.

I get down-right aggressive about the careful, slow devouring of these seeds. 

And I'm thinking next year, I'm planting a whole row of pumpkins in my garden....

Comments

[Jennifer]

Mmmmm, I love pumpkin seeds too and I think it's a great idea to plant a whole row of pumpkins just for the seeds. I bet your girls had tons of fun with the power tools.

[Amy]

Zach keeps reminding me that we never carved pumpins and we HAVE to carve pumpkins! But I'm just not up for jack-o-lanterns in November. So maybe it's time to break out the power tools. My husband will be thrilled.

[Amy]

Oh, and dang you...

I had just cleaned out my blog list and my bookmarks to cut back on way-too-much-inspiration, you know?

But now I've gone and joined tumblr. Totally your fault.

[Susan]

We have a similarly polka dotted pumpkin, but we used an apple corer instead of power tools!

[Sarah Jackson]

What a fun idea! I was too lazy to do pumpkins this year (and the kids didn't care) but I'm missing the seeds.

[erica]

Wow! I love the holey pumpkins. Power tools are so much fun, when not being used for actual home improvement projects, that is. And I love the way they turned out. And your jar of seeds is making my mouth water.

[melissa]

I did maple syrup and chinese five spice seeds this year. Next batch (for our after-thanksgiving edible decorations) will be soy sauce and wasabi!

[Meredith]

I've been kind of bummed that we haven't carved our pumpkins yet this year. We even had a pumpkin carving party, but I'm pregnant and sick and my husband has been busy taking care of me. By the time the party rolled around we were so tired that we just let the guests have at it and left ours alone. I'm glad we're not the only ones looking to carve up some November pumpkins. It just might be time to break out the drill...

[hanna]

that last picture is so pretty!

[Christie]

We like to plant a seed called Snack Jack. It grows a smallish carving pumpkin and excellent seeds. The outer husk of the seed is very thin and extra yummy. I think they are from Territorial.

[Ellen]

I was going to ask how you store them/how long they can be stored, but I don't think I will! :)

[barbara]

hahaha "rationing pumpkin seeds" .... now I am feeling guilty for sending mine straight to the garbage!

[katie]

I love your blog, this wonderufl space. i went over to Habit tonight for the first time. I am so glad I did. I think it is my new favorite place. Thank you for putting something like that together. It is good. So good.

[One Second Needle]

Thanks for this carving pumpkins with power tools post. I wish I saw this before Halloween. A great tip for next year!