Pumpkin Carving

Ainsley is the only one of the girls that really doesn't mind getting all gooey during pumpkin carving. Mommy certainly doesn't like it! It's become a favorite time for her and Daddy.



Like father, like daughter.... She always wants to be just like Daddy. It's so cute!



Our front porch this year. I sure do need some pretty flowers or something in my flower bed, huh? And some grass would be nice. Used to have some there...

Be safe this Trick-or-Treating season, y'all!

Pumpkin Seed Mosaic

I came across this while searching for pumpkin related themes and thought this was a great idea for those pumpkin seeds! Usually, in our family we roast them and eat them but not all of us are partial to this pasttime. So, maybe we'll try this after carving our pumpkins this year.

Make your own mosaic ... Don't throw those pumpkin seeds away! Roast a few and paint the rest for a spectacular work of art.

What You Need:

Pumpkin Seeds (clean)
Tempera paint (dark colors)
Paint brush
Shallow container
Thick paper (poster board)
Glue
Pencils
Wax paper or newspaper

What You Do:

Choose a few paint colors.

Put the seeds into a shallow dish, squirt some paint on the seeds and mix the paint around until all seeds are covered in paint. Do this for as many colors as you need.

Spread the seeds out on wax paper (or newspaper) and let dry.

While you are waiting for the seeds to dry, you can draw a picture onto some poster paper. Some ideas include masks, fish or wild designs.

Try to keep it simple, remember, you will be "coloring in" with seeds.

When the seeds are dry, they can be arranged and glued onto the poster paper in the appropriate areas.

***If you are feeling really adventurous, try using plaster instead of glue to create the mosaics.

Work quickly as plaster has a very quick set time. Also, never pour plaster down the sink. Wait for it to dry and throw it in the garbage.

***You can always use dried beans, lentils, popcorn or other types of seeds for this project ... you don't need to use pumpkin seeds. In fact, if you use dried beans, you can leave them in their natural colorful state (black eyed peas, red kidney beans etc).

How God Carves a Pumpkin, A Family Activity

Written by Lori at Heart of the Matter

With cooler breezes ushering in, autumn hues surrounding us, and shorter days, it’s clear that FALL has arrived! With this incredible season comes the bountiful harvest and fields filled with PUMPKINS!

One of our favorite FALL activities has been carving a pumpkin with a lovely and HAPPY face. Several years ago a friend of mine shared an incredible family activity that we have adapted for our family. It’s proven to be a FABULOUS BIBLE STUDY, even for the tiniest carvers. It’s a great way to share some wonderful passages while engaging in a FUN, family activity! Why not pop some popcorn, throw in some candy corn, invite a few friends from church and make it a tradition!

How God carves a pumpkin

Create a pumpkin. Make it big, little, short, tall fat or skinny. No matter which, it will be a WONDERFUL pumpkin.
“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being? Isaiah 66:2

Harvest the pumpkin when it’s fully ready.
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Hold the pumpkin gently as you cleanse the dirt outside, washing all the dirt away.
“Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sin. Acts 22:16

Make an opening at the top, Search into the dark cavity for anything that needs to be removed.
“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward according to conduct and deeds. Jeremiah 17:10

Remove all the stringy pulp and slime, and clean out the entire cavity.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God.” Psalm 51:10

Give that pumpkin a big set of eyes so that he may see all the good around him.
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” Luke 10:23

Carve a nice nose so that he can take in the wonderful scents of the world.
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart.” Proverbs 27:9

Carve a great big SMILE so that he can bring JOY to anyone who sees him.
“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart of others.” Proverbs 15:30

Make the pumpkin glow all over with a little white light inside.
“God said, “let light shine out of the darkness,” and made His light shine in our hearts.
2Corinthians 4:6

Rejoice in the “NEW” pumpkin that has been created and given new life.
“Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me, I have found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:6

Place the pumpkin in the perfect spot so that the light will guide others.
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise the Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16