diy: carving forever pumpkins

halloween is just days away. just tonight my kids carved their real pumpkins up for our front porch. while i love the traditional pumpkin carving, i also love the idea of having fake pumpkins specially carved for use every fall. my parents are the experts in this category and have carved "forever pumpkins" for each of their grandkids. 

this year i have seen these popping up everywhere. several businesses are now charging quite a bit to make a custom pumpkin of your own. if you go purchase the fake pumpkins (most likely on sale at the end of halloween season), some inexpensive stencils and a carving knife, you can make these for yourself at a fraction of the cost. the steps are simple and the results are adorable. 

the steps for making a forever pumpkin: 

1. purchase hollow, fake pumpkins, 3 inch stencils and a hot knife (pictured).
2. stencil the letters or drawings on the pumpkins.
3. use the narrow, sharp blade of the tool. carve out your letters being careful not to create a narrow space that will break off. (this means that you may have to adapt some of the letter shapes.)
4. cut off the lid of the pumpkin. clean out the pieces inside. use a small battery operated votive candle to light the inside of the pumpkins. 
5. enjoy!

this heated carving tool can be found at most craft stores.

needed tools

finished pumpkin

mmmmm: apple cake

how can i describe holly? i have no childhood memory that does not somewhere include her in the picture. long before i ever had friends of my own to call on the telephone, i could dial holly's number by heart. she has been my mom's closest friend forever. there wasn't a day that went by in my childhood that didn't involve a phone call from holly to my mother or my mother to holly. their's was the friendship i idolized. it's the kind of friendship that has withstood relocation, growing children, illnesses, heartache, and the passage of time. it's the kind of friendship i long for.

holly is hilarious, laughs easily, loves pink, teddy bears, 50's music, tea parties, her kids, her husband, history, good books and amazing food. she's the kind of person that, when hosting a tea party, called to get everyone's starbuck's orders to have them ready and waiting. how great is that? she is a gem. when she shared her recipe for apple cake, i had to pass it on. she's an amazing baker and i've never been disappointed with one of her treats. this recipe screams fall and you will love it.

apple cake

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups peeled chopped raw apple

1 egg

1/4 cup oil

1/2 cup raisins

preheat oven to 350 degrees. combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. stir in the apples, egg, oil and raisins. pour into a greased 9 x 9 inch baking pan. top with streusel mixture

streusel topping

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup rolled oats

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/3 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup flour

mix streusel ingredients well, making sure the butter is broken up well within the other ingredients. spread the streusel over the cake batter. bake the cake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. enjoy!

carving forever pumpkins

i grew up in a home where every holiday was celebrated. there were decorations for each important and not so important day of the year. my parents continue to decorate to this day. here is one of my favorite of their fall decorations, forever pumpkins with the names of each grandchild.you can carve anything into these pumpkins and then pull them out for years to come. love it!

here are the steps:

• purchase hollow, fake pumpkins, 3 inch stencils and a hot knife (pictured).

• stencil the letters or drawings on the pumpkins.

• use the narrow, sharp blade of the tool. carve out your letters being careful not to create a narrow space that will break off. (this means that you may have to adapt some of the letter shapes.)

• cut off the lid of the pumpkin. clean out the pieces inside. use a small battery operated votive candle to light the inside of the pumpkins. enjoy!