Carving Pumpkins and Weathering the Storm

Yesterday, we carved our Halloween Pumpkins! Though when I say “we” I mostly mean “the children.” Now that they are older, they like to do most of it themselves! I just get to supervise, and sometimes I’m allowed to help clear out the “pumpkin guts,” as Monkey really hates that part. Usually we carve our pumpkins outside on the patio, with a fire going in the fire pit, but the beginnings of Hurricane Sandy forced us inside this year… so we spread newspapers out on the kitchen floor and got down to business. 

Busy children.

Jack-O-Lanterns

 The Jack-o-lanterns are cute and all… but my very favorite part of Pumpkin Carving Day is the roasting of pumpkin seeds! While there are lots of recipes online for fancy seeds flavored with tamari, spices, etc… we prefer to keep it simple: We wash the seeds in a colander, then spread them on a lightly oiled cookie sheet, sprinkle them with a little salt, then bake at 350 until golden brown. We’ve been eating them by the handful all day today, but if there are any left I will add them to the trail mix I plan on making later this afternoon.

We will need those snacks, as we are hunkered down in the house while the rain and wind pelt the windows. Hurricane Sandy is making her presence felt here on the east coast. But as the storm rages outside, all is peaceful here inside. We are grateful to be warm and safe in our home.