It's Getting to be THAT Time of Year!

 Time to get your pumpkins out and start carving!

when the kids were younger we used to have a blast making our own and also using templates. I need to dig out some old photos one of these days. We used to really do the front of our home up. Things are different when you have little ones. Seems as they get older you do too, darn that life thing!

Someone that has been missing for a few years is "Herman". I have an old pair of jeans and flannel shirt I stuff with fallen leaves for his body. He wears an old pair of shoes, garden gloves (for his hands), and an orange plastic pumpkin candy pail for his head. I had a strobe light that would go inside the pail, then an old tattered cowboy hat would adorn his head. Miss seeing him.....

Decorations for the Holidays have been sparse as of recent, but each year I think "Wait till next year, we'll do it up right".

next year WE WILL!  

Thought I'd help those of you out who still carve pumpkins with some ideas. I had fun searching these out. Some are more easy that others. But all would be FUN!

 Easy to do: Just right click and save image to your computer.

Print out a stencil and you're ready to make scary, silly, and fun Halloween pumpkin faces.

How to use these stencils/images:

1. Using a carving knife, cut a circle around the stem end of the pumpkin. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and fibers from the pumpkin's center.
2. Print your favorite stencil out in approx. size needed.
3. Tape a stencil to your pumpkin.
4. Using a push pin/nail or something with a sharp point, make a dotted outline of the stencil pattern on your pumpkin.
5. Peel the paper stencil off.
6. Following the dotted lines you've made, carve your design into the pumpkin.

TIP 

When you're all done coat the inside of your pumpkin with Vaseline. It will keep is from drying out and shrinking as fast.

Also, don't throw out those seeds!

Toast them for a great healthy snack!

Rinse well and remove strings.

Spread the pumpkin seeds baking sheet.

Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt.

Bake 45 minutes in 325 degree oven,

stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted.

YUM! 

OK back to carving.

Some of these are more intricate than others,

some are more scarier than others.

Just have fun!!