I Hate Pumpkins’ Guts
I thought my pumpkin carving days were behind me. While I love decorations with light and have a particular fondness for candles, I grew to… well… hate pumpkins’ slimy guts.
Literally. The guts can be slimy and I will admit I don’t care for messy hands. Even though Mom would arm us with long-handled spoons, the pumpkin innards always found their way to my hands.
I Like My Hands Clean
I like my hands clean. All the time, if possible. If my hands are not clean, I am eager to wash them. Right away.
Despite my affection for clean hands, we still carve pumpkins every October. Over the years, however, I have found myself spending less time in the (often muddy) pumpkin patch and more time in the (often heated) country store. I learned to appreciate small gourds and dried Indian corn for decorating.
I’m Very Busy
During carving, while the husband and kids dig in, I “don’t have time” to carve my own pumpkin because I have created other tasks for myself. I mean, I’m busy preparing apple cider and spice cake doughnuts for everybody else so we can better celebrate the event of pumpkin carving. It’s a necessary job. I didn’t make it up to get out of putting my hands into the gross insides of the pumpkins. Well, maybe I did, but we rather enjoy the doughnuts and apple cider, as well.
When the pumpkins are carved, we commemorate the masterpieces that are destined to end up in next week’s compost with a picture.
With no pumpkin of my own, 
I am absent from the pumpkin carving photos, except for the year when I posed with my favorite light up pumpkin with a black cat. With light up pumpkins, I can still enjoy Jack-O-Lanterns as decorations without the gooey mess. It’s a win-win.
Pumpkins. They’re Not Just for Halloween
You know how they say the end prize has to warrant the journey? This year, I stumbled upon an idea that inspired me to (almost) touch the insides of a pumpkin.
I was exploring link party entries on Whipperberry when a post for a Pumpkin Flower Vase Tutorial caught my eye. Shannon of AKA Design had created an elegant floral arrangement using a hollowed pumpkin as a vase.
I loved the idea. The pumpkin vase served as the foundation for a natural autumn floral arrangement that would add color and charm to the fall season.
Pumpkin Vase – Natural Autumn Floral Arrangement
With Shannon as my muse, this year I ventured to the outskirts of the pumpkin patch and chose (pointed to) a pumpkin.
I bought a bouquet from a local grower, took a deep breath and dug in with a spoon with the longest handle I could find.
It Was So Easy!
I am so impressed that I never once placed my hand directly into the pumpkin. I scraped and scooped. Repeatedly, I turned my pumpkin over and shook it vigorously over a paper bag, encouraging the seeds and slime to vacate. I scraped and scooped and shook some more.
Finally, my hollowed pumpkin was ready. I placed a jar in the hollow opening, added water, trimmed and arranged my flowers. Ta-da!! That’s it!
I love it! I’m thinking to create one, or several, for Thanksgiving, as I usually decorate with fresh flowers for the holidays. My pumpkin vase is lovely and elegant. Don’t you agree? Thank you, Shannon!
How do you incorporate natural elements into your fall decorating?
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I am totally inspired by you after reading just two of your blogs! Thank you Denise for such a great idea of making a pumpkin vase , this would go very well with my orange-black-beige furniture.
Thank you for the kind words. I hope your pumpkin vase complements your space well.