October Moods

Whether inside or outside the colors of fall bring contentment.

Soon this bedroom will be changed. This bookcase has already been cleared of photo albums. They were transferred to the entry bookcase. 

Son Jo will take the desk/bookcase unit to his house. The antique bed will be stored for now. A bedroom suite from my mother's apartment will be in this room. We are trying to empty out the apartment for Les and Pennee. For several months they will need it as their new house is being built. Even my art nook will be moved to an area in the garage. Lots of changes are ahead.

 Took time yesterday to carve this year's jack-o'-lantern.

This ceramic jack-o'-lantern was given to me by my mom.

Sometimes I feel so strange and lonely without her.

A beautiful Sunday in God's beautiful world offers peace of mind.

Pumpkin Carving

messy part

taping pattern into place 

punching holes around pattern design 

sawing to remove certain parts

cleaning design and applying petroleum jelly

Boogie Nights

Carving Time

I almost hate to carve this lovely pumpkin. However, the grandsons have come to expect a different carving each year.

 

I like to do an opening on the bottom of the pumpkin. It is easy to sit the pumpkin over a candle or light.
 

Patterns make it possible to have special jack-o'-lanterns.
This one is from a Pumpkin Masters booklet and is titled Skeleteeth.

 

The Tradition Continues

My fingers on my right hand are very tired after using a tiny saw to carve this
year's jack-o'-lantern. Cutting the tiny parts to the spooky house and tree was not easy due to the thickness of the pumpkin. But once the candle was lit to see the result, I was happy.  

  
I rubbed some petroleum jelly around the cut edges as recommended to keep the carved pumpkin looking fresh longer. 

Jack-O'-Lantern Carving

 

Wonderful designs came with this booklet.  I ordered the kit years ago. Zippy Cat, Star Witch, Moonlit Owl, and Scaredy Bat were past selections.

Zippy Cat from 2008

  

This year grandson Garrett and I looked online to view Halloween patterns. He liked this one called Ghostly Greeter.  

Although he couldn't be with me when I did the carving, I remembered his request about the seeds.

I hope he will be pleased to see that I used his pattern choice. 



It's Almost Here!

Since it rained the entire day I had ample indoor time to do the other pumpkin. The candy bags are filled, the extra candles are handy, the camera has extra batteries, and the anticipation of Halloween visitors in adorable costumes is half the fun.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Thursday At Home

Sharing two of my accomplishments on this rainy day...first I found a frame in my stash of stuff that I could use for the twig leaf from Savannah. You know how much I like to preserve leaves from different places... a way to save a precious memory. Then I was able to carve one pumpkin. Usually I cut a lid from the top. This was my first time to cut a hole at the bottom and place the finished pumpkin over the candle. I like carving with patterns because it turns out if you take your time. Thank you for spending a part of your busy day with me.

Only in October

Perfect temperature, colorful leaves, hay bales, mums, and the anticipation of

Halloween. . .

I added the letters BOO to the hall tree mirror. Tomorrow there will be bowls and baskets of candy on the seat and on a nearby bench.

This afternoon I carved a jack-o'-lantern to sit outside on the doorstep for trick or treaters. Thank goodness for patterns. This one is named Zippy Cat.