Jack-o-lanterns

 

Though we've been ranting about pumpkin mania, it didn't stop us from buying pumpkins. And, of course, once we had a pumpkin, it only seemed appropriate to carve a jack-o-lantern. It's just the right thing to do at this time of year … even if you're not kid.

Traditionally, “guisers”,the original costumed trick-or-treaters in Ireland, carried big, carved out turnips as lanterns to scare away the evil spirits on All Hallow's Eve. In America, where native pumpkins grow big and plentifully (and are probably more easily carved than turnips), a modified All Hallow's Eve (Hallowe'en) tradition was born. Being American traditionalists (as if), we opted to carve up a big pumpkin instead of a turnip.

When the kids were little, we'd hollow out a pumpkin, cut out the customary triangular eyes and nose and then add a mouth with a few teeth. We'd stick a candle inside and call it done. One year, David installed a speaker inside the jack-o-lantern to give the trick-or-treaters a bit of a rush as they approached our door and he bellowed out a wicked Dracula-laugh into a microphone. That was the extent of our ingenuity. Nowadays, there are pumpkin carving kits, how-to's on the internet and very elaborate designs for pumpkin heads including Jesus and Elvis faces. (Really?) With copious amounts of hot cider and rum to provide inspiration, Lin, David and I agreed upon an easy, but pleasing, face design and drew it on our pumpkin.

David cut out the top and then we scooped out the goo. Yuck!

These large carving pumpkins are not really suitable for pumpkin pie, but roasting the pumpkin seeds, however, is fun and the results are tasty (and much less work than making a pie). Just lay them in a single layer on a cookie sheet, salt them if you like and roast for about 30 minutes till they're brown.

Now we were ready for the artistry and the fun. Armed with knives and more hot cider with rum, we took turns carving. It's a wonder, we managed not to hurt ourselves.

We were heartily pleased with our results, congratulated each other, set Jack on the front steps to admire and toasted him with hot cider and rum.

Did you carve a jack-o-lantern yet this year? Pumpkin or turnip, it's time to get moving. Don't forget the hot cider and rum.

Pumpkin Mania

 

Pumpkins ... those huge, round, orange squash that come into season here at this time of year. They're everywhere at the moment … great mountains of them.

There's pumpkin pie, of course, but also pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin spice coffee and chai. Then there's pumpkin cheesecake, Pumkin Ale, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin soup and even pumpkin spice room spray and scented candles.

Enough already! Why is this oversized orange fruit a symbol of Hallowe'en anyway. They didn't even have pumpkins in Europe when All Hallows Eve was first celebrated. They hollowed out turnips or mangelwurzels (big beets) to use as lanterns and carved goblin faces on them to ward off evil spirits. Though I have to admit, I'd prefer pumpkin ale to turnip ale or mangelwerzel pie.

The Great Pumpkin and good old Charlie Brown was fun for the kids in the day. The farcical Simpsons' Grand Pumpkin has taken over now in the spirit of modern times. The world record for actual great pumpkins, however, is held by Ron Wallace of Rhode Island at the moment. His Atlantic Giant weighed in at just over a ton (911.3kg). Now that's a Great Pumpkin.

Pumpkins are one of the most popular crops in the US. According to Wiki, we grow 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkin every year with the Midwest leading the top producing states. Usually, we tend to be lazy and get a can of pumpkin for our holiday pies. All those pumpkins around and we buy canned. Go figure. We served pumpkin pie to our Aussie friends on the boat last Thanksgiving. They weren't impressed. It's an acquired taste, I guess.

I do like Hallowe'en and I do enjoy carving jack-o-lanterns, it's just that the pumpkin stuff seems to have gotten out of hand. That said, pumpkins are symbols of the harvest and they're certainly preferred to Christmas decorations. Oops...spoke too soon. Look at all those plastic Santas!

Happy First Anniversary Just A Little Further

On October 12th, Columbus Day, 2012, we published our first blog post on Just A Little Further. Though we've been blogging for years, it wasn't until a conversation with our niece, Gentry, that we opted to expand our readership and our reach by launching the Just A Little Further blogsite. Since then, we've blogged daily whether we're at sea aboard Nine of Cups, exploring King Island in the middle of the Bass Strait or photographing Mr. Potato Head in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. There's always something to write about. Not in any particular order, here's a sampling of our favorite blog posts this past year …

Slaying Dragons - because that's what life is all about

Beginners Guide to Vegemite - It was a hoot writing it, trying it and doing the YouTube

The Blue View - Knots - David's passion for knots and his admiration for Ashley shine through

The Blue View - Refrigeration part 2 – An example of how boat projects usually don't go quite as planned

The Ick Factor – Sometimes the “real” side of cruising can be less than perfect

Magic Mysterious Enigmatic Easter Island – It's the most magic place we've ever been

Trusting Your Captain – because I do and this works on so many levels

Frugal versus Cheap – because there's a big difference and you don't want to cross the line

South Dakota - because Gentry read it and wanted to go back there. Good enough for me!

The Blue View - Edible Knot – because this is a knot I can get my arms (and mouth) around

FAQ - How do you do laundry aboard – another look at the “real” side of living aboard a sailboat

Cost of living on a boat - because so many people asked and so many responded

Do you have a favorite from this past year? Let us know what it is and why.

Tonight, we'll raise a glass to JALF and to our friends and readers. We love sharing with you, appreciate your feedback, and most of all, we like stretching our boundaries … just a little further.