We never buy pumpkins for Halloween because…well, we’re cheap that way.
In addition to our vegetable garden, we have a small, separate pumpkin patch. In a typical year, we usually have at least a half dozen pumpkins, which is plenty for us. Last year, we had two large pumpkins that were especially nice for carving. My husband carved one, and I carved the other. Guess which one was mine?
Yes my husband, in addition to being an excellent artist, is also a master pumpkin carver. I, however, tend to be clumsy and inept with sharp objects, so I prefer to stick with the traditional triangle eyes, nose, and mouth. If I tried anything more complicated, I would probably sever one or more fingers.
Anyway, we did plant pumpkins this year, and the vines came up strong and healthy, but then…nothing! I can’t figure it out, because usually the pumpkins go wild and take over everything, which is why we moved them out of the vegetable garden and into their own space. This year, we didn’t have a single one.
In terms of gardening (well, in terms of everything really), this year was just weird in every way.
Fortunately, we had this one, small pumpkin leftover from last year’s harvest. It’s hard to believe that it was still good after all this time! Tonight, my husband sat down with the girls at the kitchen table, and they “helped” him carve it:
This year, they decided to carve a spooky zombie face, which the girls find deliciously scary:
Thank goodness for my multi-talented husband! He turned a small, leftover pumpkin into a fantastic Halloween creation…and saved us 4 bucks.
During times like these, every little bit helps.
