CARVIN' PUMPKINS LIKE THE JACK-O PROS

Ok, so maybe that's a bit of an over-statement. I know the real pumpkin carvers do a much better job, but I can tell you they don't have any more fun than we did tonight!

We met Katherine and Steve (Mark's sister and her husband) at Mark's mom's house tonight and had some fun with the second annual Newland pumpkin-carving extravaganza. Photographing them proved a bit tricky, but I think they turned out pretty good for people who do it once a year.

From left to right, these are:

• Katherine's "ghost in the window"
  
• Mark's "Elmo"
  
• Steve's "googly-eyed jack-o'lantern"
  
• My "Halloween cat on a broom" (shut up, Mikey G!)
  

Diane baked apple dumplings and Katherine made caramel apples, and after we enjoyed the Fall treats, we got down to the serious business of gutting pumpkins. We even roasted the pumpkin seeds! Does that sound like some good, wholesome Autumn fun or what?

I thought Katherine had quite an advantage over the rest of us, considering she uses a scalpel everyday-- but I think she would tell you it's easier in the ER than it is with a $4 plastic carving tool from Walmart! And Steve's super-creative, being a Marketing Veep for Wrigley... he made quick work of his piece, and so did Mark-- and those two were working with the largest pumpkins.

Beatrice (who is a year and a half old) loves-loves-loves Elmo... they practically keep the Elmo DVD looped all day, because as soon as it goes off she wants it on again. She chants "Elmo" all throughout her waking hours, and Katherine says she even rolls over in the middle of the night and says "Elmo" in her sleep! So Uncle Mark knew exactly what he wanted to make for his special girl. You should've seen her face when he lit the candle and she realized what it was... her eyes got wide, she looked around at everyone, pointed to it and exclaimed, "Elmo!" She then walked up to it, touched it with the tip of her finger, quickly drew her hand back and said again, "Elmo!!!" It was worth every goopy minute of scooping pumpkin guts, just to get that reaction!

We had initially planned a "carve-off" of sorts, to see whose Jack-O skills would prove them tonight's winner, but once we got a load of Uncle Mark's Elmo, all bets were off. There's no competing with that!

If you want to check out how the pros really do it, check out the Pumpkin Gutter's website. This guy is incredible! Sounds dorky, but he makes me want to buy a dozen pumpkins and a Dremel. Be sure to read his FAQ page, because he's got the most fantastically snarky comebacks to some totally ridiculous questions!

I'm leaving town for a few days, so in case I don't get back here between now and the 31st, Happy Halloween, everyone!