Quirky is a Compliment: 10/9/07 Ode To Halloween Part 2

It was a wild time here at the 2007 Pumpkin Carving Invitational, held on October 7th, in the backyard of one Granny and Pap-paw. Weather conditions were warm and sunny with a comfortable breeze, and Carvers arranged themselves around the patio in confident anticipation of the event. (Photo documentation was provided by roving reporter, Tony, who prides himself on the use of natural, unstaged action shots). Newspaper was put down and the carvers were off! intently manipulating their pumpkins with a variety of knives, mellon-ballers, ice cream scoops and spoons. Competition was fierce in both the individual and team carving categories.

Several carvers went with the traditional top-removal technique, although Mom went with the new and previously unseen bottom removal, a controversial yet effective tip provided by professional pumpkin carving expert, Martha Stewart. (According to Martha, by removing the bottom of the pumpkin instead of the top, it is easier to place the pumpkin over a candle or electric light, without burning your hand or having the electric cord hanging out of the top of the pumpkin).

Uncle Bob led with a very realistic pumpkin mouth with 3D tongue and teeth, but lost his pumpkin pupils due to a tragic slip of the carving knife. Team Ashley/Danielle did a theme pumpkin, with carvings representing peace, love, and happiness. I went with a multi-media use of toothpicks. Contestants used the ice cream scoops to remove seeds from the insides, followed by scraping the inside walls with the edge of a spoon until clean. (Aunt Suzie took her pumpkin clean-out one step further and actually took hers inside for a final rinse at the kitchen sink). Seeds were separated for Dad's pumpkin seed roast while pumpkin guts were slung at fellow competitors.

The spectators were on the edge of their seats during the action!