Stepan and I had our annual Pumpkin Carving party yesterday. I had grand plans to pre-carve my pumpkin on Saturday, because if I don't I inevitably can only spend maybe 10 minutes on the design. Good intentions, good intentions. This is what I ended up with...and I wouldn't have had that if Stepan hadn't gutted it for me. I always forget that even quick carves can turn out well on a jack-o’-lanterns. Also, waiting to carve until the party meant that Jonathan was able to help. Henry was hanging with us as well...not necessarily helping, but definitely making it more fun :-)
There were many successes at the party. Stepan's bread was fabulous as was his potato soup. I made shrimp soup in pie pumpkins (many thanks to Luciana for sharing her recipe). Gutting pumpkins in the garage was a fantastic idea. We actually had kid's food this year, which I'm sure all the parents were relieved to see. And our furniture survived the night with nary a single tragedy. And of course, the pumpkins were just brilliant.
We have more and more kids every year. Next year, we'll have the new baby Churchett as well as Jack Hornaday (who was born on the 24th - just two day before the party). Also for next year, I'm thinking that I'll stuff some old clothes and set them out on our porch as Halloween decorations, but leave them headless and put our jack-o’-lanterns next to them on the table...I had to write that down here...hopefully I won't forget!