Pumpkin carving with tools

Two weeks ago my grandchildren were spending the night and I decided we should carve a pumpkin together. They had these new “designer” pumpkins. They were only $5 each and very elegant with orange, green, white stripes.

Alexis (12) and Michael (5) selected one. Alexis asked if I had pumpkin carving tools. I looked at her with disgust. Does everything have to be specially made for a small task? Of course not. I announced that I had appropriate tools. We would do this the old fashioned way – with knives!

What I had not counted on was that the pumpkin would have such tough skin. I got out a steak knife and a large carving knife with a good looking point. I broke the steak knife with the first cut. I finally pushed it through the rock-hard rind and tried to move it. It snapped off. Minimal bad words – children are present.

Next I attacked with the carving knife. Although I didn’t break it, I realized this was not going to work. Michael suggested we go and get a pumpkin carving set. Really? I have more tools in my arsenal. I marched in and got a big screwdriver and a hammer. (Couldn’t find the drill.)

Success! Well, if by success you mean it was easy, it wasn’t. But Alexis and I took turns pounding the screwdriver with the hammer and using the big knife to cut into the pumpkin. We and were able cut and pry the lid off and to carve rudimentary minimalist facial features.
The darned thing got moldy in 2 days.

So this weekend Gil supervised pumpkin carving with Erin (2) and Alexis and Michael. It was a traditional pumpkin and we used pumpkin carving tools. How boring! But it was enjoyable and Erin and I were full of pumpkin seeds and gunk. Next time I’ll don a hazmat suit rather than an apron and bring on the drill!