Our Halloween preparations hit full tilt tonight since Adventure Guy and the kids returned from their trip to Washington D. C. late yesterday evening.  We had purchased pumpkins as part of our fall decorating efforts, but tonight was the official carving night.

Of course, things have changed since the kids were really little.  We couldn’t begin carving until Gym Girl got out of practice, Soccer Boy returned from his Scout meeting, and everyone finished homework.  That made a late start for our pumpkin carving efforts.  And around here, it really is an effort.  Several years ago Adventure Guy decided to take on the patterned pumpkin carving challenge–no triangle eyes and noses for our Jack ‘o Lanterns.  In the early years, he did all three kids’ pumpkins himself.  Now, they’ve taken over for the most part, needing only a little expert advice from him.  The picture above is Dancer Girl’s pumpkin, which she carved completely by herself.

My efforts for the evening were focused on making dinner (from this fast recipe), helping with geometry homework–a prospect worthy of Halloween in its scare quotient, making another batch of Autumn Mix to take into the office for our treat day tomorrow, and putting the pumpkin seeds from the carving to good use.

I found this recipe a number of years ago, and my family looks forward to having the pumpkin seeds each year after Halloween.

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

2 c. fresh pumpkin seeds

Salted water (in addition to salt, I add Cajun seasoning and garlic powder to the water)

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. curry powder

1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Wash seeds, removing any remaining pumpkin flesh.  Soak overnight in salted water. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Drain pumpkin seeds.  Pour oil on hands and lightly rub seeds to coat.  Sprinkle seeds on rimmed cookie sheet.  Bake approximately 15 minutes, shaking pan occasionally.  Combine salt, curry powder, and cheese; sprinkle on seeds, tossing to coat evenly.  Bake five to ten minutes longer until crisp and golden brown.  Store in an airtight container or ziplock bag.

As of 11:00 p.m., it looks like we are all set for Halloween here in Suburbia.  Adventure Guy picked up the costumes his mom graciously made for the girls on his way home from work.  They are going as a lady bug and a butterfly and managed to convey their “vision” for the costumes to my mother-in-law who is an excellent seamstress.  She designed the costumes for them and whipped them up on Sunday.  Soccer Boy has created a costume of his own making by combining things we had on hand from previous years.  He is going to be a scary monster guy in a black cape who carries a sword.  

Happy trick-or-treating everyone.  May your Halloween be both fun and safe!