Today was the Thirteenth Annual Pumpkin Carving Party, and it was so much fun! The weather was absolutely gorgeous today, a blend of sun and cooler temperatures to make for a perfect fall day outside. Guests started arriving around 4pm or so, and some earlier, and it was as usual a B.Y.O.P. event, which means "bring your own pumpkin."
Mom had her legendary chili made for the event, and it was as always a huge hit. We had all kinds of other things too - dips, chips, and two special blends of coffee, including this absolutely delicious one called "Frog's Breath." Its packaging is based on a reference to "Nightmare Before Christmas," which is something I watched later on tonight. We had all our carving implements placed on the table outside - you'll see that below - and we had the things set up on the back deck for everyone to start emptying pumpkins, brainstorming ideas for designs, and of course actually carving different faces or ideas.
At the end of the day, we set up the pumpkins in front of the mantle as always, lining them up and putting candles in them. We shut the lights off and let the glow of the pumpkins fill the room - it was really so pleasant. One of my favorite moments of the year is when we shut the lights off and sit there looking at everyone's creations all illuminated and really nice looking!
Maddie actually did the one on the left there - it's Putnam! We took a picture of Putnam sitting next to the pumpkin on the mantle a little later on. It was a really clever idea for a pumpkin design, and she did a fantastic job with it. Everyone knew what it was right away.
Camille, of course, blew us all away with her creation. You may remember that she is allergic to pumpkins. Just a reminder. Anyway, this took her a long time, but she stuck with it, along with some assistance from her husband Chris. That's his pumpkin to the left, also a pretty cool design too.
There were all different ideas, and it's just a lot of fun sitting there creating things, enjoying each other's company and the delicious foods inside.
Ah, the obligatory Pennsylvania pumpkin there. You'll see the logo of the panther a little later on with one of the pumpkins, as we have a couple of fans there.
Thomas and Megan were back again, and they had a great time carving pumpkins too. You can see how perfect the weather was behind us. We were talking about board games and other geeky things all afternoon.
Nana was in and out, talking with some, eating, and just enjoying all the social interaction.
Camille gets started on her pumpkin, and it took quite some time of course. You can see her gloves on as she's as careful as can be avoiding contact with the pumpkin pieces.
Another shot of Chris and Camille's first pumpkins together.
Josh and Dawn hang out with Zena, catching up and eating some delicious chili.
Elizabeth watches her sister Diana carve away at her pumpkin.
Dawn's daughter Camille did a pumpkin, a cat with some interesting facial markings.
Oh, here's Putnam next to his pumpkin. He seems to like it!
Maddie stands next to her completed pumpkin. Great job!
Camille and Chris are working late into the afternoon on their pumpkin. There are still others carving, but we're getting close to the main event when we light them all up for display.
Isaac and Josie got married about one year ago, moving the pumpkin carving party around last year so we could all attend.
Josie and Isaac's pumpkins above. Heart-shaped eyes and a dungeons and dragons pumpkin too.
Ah, here's Maddie's pumpkin next to mine, a Sleepy Hollow themed pumpkin. It came out pretty well!
Maddie throwing off a little 'tude!
Elizabeth carves her "PSU" on a pumpkin, and the rest of the night we were coming up with our own words that it could stand for. Such as Purple Slimy Unicorns and so on.
Ah, the table is all lined up with the implements! We have so many of these, and we keep buying new ones each year after pumkin carving season is over and these sorts of things are on sale.
Josh's pumpkin - a face he just made up that day. He always makes up faces the day of the event, and they always turn out so awesome.
It's a jellyfish!
Megan's pumpkinception!
It was such a wonderful day, one of my favorite days of the entire year. Mom works so hard to set it all up, and everyone has such a great time.
We had other things today - Maddie had Team Edge practice, and we had boba tea after that. We did some grocery shopping for tonight's event. Many stuck around for a while, and we all just sat around talking for a while. It was very nice.
We popped in "Nightmare Before Christmas" tonight, shared these pictures on social media, and eventually it was time to get to bed. We do have church tomorrow, after all! We still read, and we said our prayers of course, grateful for an unforgettable day together.
Maddie's pov pics lol:
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