Prepare Your Knives!
The history of pumpkin carving can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. During Samhain, people believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was thin, and that spirits could roam the earth. To ward off evil spirits, people carved faces into turnips and other root vegetables, and placed candles inside to create lanterns. These early lanterns were called "jack-o'-lanterns".
The name "jack-o'-lantern" comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack. In the story, Jack tricked the Devil into changing his form, and then trapped him in that form. Jack offered to let the Devil go if he didn't take Jack's soul for a long time.
However, Jack died before that could happen, and God wouldn't let him into Heaven. The Devil wouldn't let Jack into Hell either, so he was sent to roam the Earth for eternity with only a coal to light his way.
People began to carve turnips, beets, potatoes, and eventually pumpkins to represent Jack, and to ward away evil spirits. Irish immigrants brought the tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns to America in the 1800s.
From field to our table!
They quickly realized that pumpkins were easier to carve than turnips, and the custom became an integral part of Halloween festivities.
Join The Fun!!
Robin saved the day because we ran out of time and needed small bottles of water; she stopped on her way over!
Ah Robin, you gots a spider in your eye!
Bob and Theo catch up on things.
Michele brought a beautiful vegetable plate
"Where are the knives, I am ready to go!!"
The teens carry on! Charlie brought his lady along!
Do they know the spider is about to pounce on them?
Connor will protect us!
Everyone got their favorite pizza (We had veggie to the kitchen sink!)
The pizzas were flying out of their containers.
The teens faces lit up like lights. when pizza was spotted.
Bob explains LED lighting challenges! from his recent photoshoot.
It's optics, Mary understands!
Paul gets the eggs beater blades going on the electric drill.
Paul takes all the tops off using a serious butcher knife!
Joe takes over when Paul poops out!
Pete now has the drill, stand back!!
The teens are going to town!!
Cleaning pumpkins seems to be fun!!
NOTE: Click the arrow to see history in the making... Teens working!!
"We never heard that one before!"
Someone cheated!!
Froggy goes on really easy!!
He is an oldie and a goodie!
Lisa and Paisley; Lisa blinked!
Joe supervises!
We check in on the teens; they are going great!
OK Franklyn, where is your pumpkin??
"I hope Remmy picks me!!"
Zack and Becca show up after three softball games! Wow!
Three games, oh my!"
Lisa shows Paisley how to carve using the saw and other tools!
More carving gets underway!
Decisions decisions!
Pete always gets into this carving thing!
What is Robin doing?
It looks like a 1920s sweatshop!
The kids are smart, come inside and out of the sun!
Mary visits the carvers making sure everyone is powered by cookies!
Now Robin is getting serious!
It's quiet, everybody is at work!
Saying goodbye!
See you around Thanksgiving!
Well deserved my dear!
Now we get to see the artwork on display!
Oh my! Look at those chompers!
The girls are taking their time!
Thinking about each cut!
That there is a collection!
Mary adds Froggy to the collection!
Where are the artists!!
Bob and Joe busy discussing musical bands!
Come on you all, we need help!
Becca gets Remy into place!
The Louvre in Paris has nothing to worry about.
This is a result of lots of effort!
Amy, Paul and Mary inspect the results.
You can do it!!!
Oops! He blew his top!
Time to relax