Must-Read Tips for a Perfectly Carved Pumpkin

Carving a pumpkin may seem like a fun, relaxing autumn activity that you can do together as a family, but if you’ve ever actually attempted to carve a pumpkin, you know that this isn’t always the case. Carving the perfect pumpkin is possible, however, and these simple tips can help you get there safely and without too much stress.

  1. Start by choosing a pumpkin with a flat bottom so that it won’t roll around while you try to carve it.
  2. Cut the top of the pumpkin on an angle, so that once you scoop it out and replace the stem it won’t drop down inside.
  3. Soak the pumpkin in a bleach solution for one or two hours before carving to lengthen its lifespan. After you carve it, dry thoroughly and rub the edges with some petroleum jelly to prevent it from shriveling.
  4. While it may seem like a waste of money, it’s very helpful to purchase a kit of knives designed especially for pumpkin carving. Using a common kitchen knife that is too big or not sharp enough can be dangerous for everyone involved.
  5. If this is your first time carving a pumpkin, choose a pattern with bold features and large details to make it a bit easier.
  6. Cut out your stencil and either trace it directly onto the pumpkin or tape it on with clear tape before carving.

8 Pro Tips for Carving the Perfect Pumpkin [Good Housekeeping]
Pumpkin Carving Tips – How to Carve a Jack-o'-lantern [About Food]
How to Carve a Pumpkin [Martha Stewart]

Budget-Friendly Ways to Decorate for Fall

You might be tempted to hit the home decor store as soon as that first leaf falls from the tree, but why not try your hand at some DIY projects? If you want to get in the fall spirit without draining your bank account, use these budget-friendly tips to make your home an autumn wonderland.

Fall Pumpkin Tableau [southernliving.com]
Welcome your guests into your home with a fantastic fall vignette right in the foyer. This once uses a few seasonal gourds and miniature pie pumpkins, which only cost a few dollars at the grocery store. The rest you can get for free by simply using your own clear vases or bowls and some leafy branches from the trees outside.

Gourd and Pumpkin Lights [bhg.com]
Light up the night either inside or out by creating a stylish, chic version of the classic jack-o'-lantern. Instead of carving a face into a pumpkin, simply hollow out a few in varying sizes and place tea lights inside their openings.

Pinecone Lamp Finial [marthastewart.com]
Incorporate fall decor into even the tiniest touches in your home, such as the small piece that screws into the top of a lamp. Simply glue pinecones to the tops of all of your finials for a festive look, or even spray paint them gold or silver for a bit more glamour!

Sample These Acorn Squash Recipes This Fall

Acorn squash is a type of winter squash with a unique dark green rind, longitudinal ridges and a yellowish-orange inside that tastes sweet and mild. This squash is so versatile that even the most novice home chef can easily prepare it in a variety of different ways. Here are just three ways to try your hand at serving acorn squash this fall.

Baked Acorn Squash [allrecipes.com]
To really get a good idea of how acorn squash tastes, you should first prepare it all by itself. This simple recipe involves baking a halved acorn squash with just a bit of butter and brown sugar to create a healthy side dish or even a unique dessert.

Acorn Squash Soup with Kale [marthastewart.com]
With a hearty texture and autumnal flavors, this soup is perfect for those chilly fall evenings. Pureeing the acorn squash is one of the best ways to prepare it for use in a soup, while adding crispy bacon and finely chopped kale adds a darker, smokier flavor that contrasts the sweetness of the squash.

Spinach and Acorn Squash Ravioli [myrecipes.com]
Acorn squash makes a wonderful filling for pasta, and in this creative recipe it’s blended with creamy ricotta cheese and chopped spinach for added flavor. Plus, using wonton wrappers instead of the usual pasta dough saves on calories, and it’s much easier than rolling out that dough by hand.

Happy Autumn!

As the mosaic of nature's colors arrive, the pumpkins grow in the cornfields, and the cornucopia of harvest festivals enrich our area, we want to wish you a Happy Autumn.

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