New Tools

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post for my friend Kat over at the 3 Bedroom Bunglow re-telling the story of last year's Pumpkin Carving Adventure.

I didn't know how we were going to top using the drill to put holes in our pumpkins, but Hubby figured out a way.

Now, Hubby doesn't consider himself much of an artist except it comes to carving Halloween pumpkins. He goes all out with the tools and this year was no exception.

Hubby's check list prior to starting included:

• Pumpkins


• Carving Template


• Tracing Paper (For the template. Poking little guide holes isn't good enough for Hubby anymore. This has become a science.)


• Big, Huge Knife


• Dremel


• Drill


• Pumpkin Gutter


• Shop Vac

Yes, you read those last two correctly. A Shop Vac and a Pumpkin Gutter.

Hopefully, you know what a Shop Vac is.

I suppose a Pumpkin Gutter needs a little explanation.

You see, Hubby doesn't like to carve all the way through the pumpkin because the design eventually sinks into the pumpkin. By just removing the hard orange rind, you get the design, but no sinking. But one problem he's always had is getting the walls of the pumpkin thin enough to make a light show through the "skin".

This year, he got a "Pumpkin Gutter". This tool goes on to the end of your drill and helps thin out the walls of your pumpkin significantly. More so than using that orange scraper do-dad that comes with the pumpkin carving kits.

Since we used a drill last year, just using the new Pumpkin Gutter with the drill was not enough of an improvement over last year.

There had to be another tool we could use to make this experience easier than ever.

Hence, the Shop Vac!

This would suck up all the yick inside the pumpkin. I liked this idea because I didn't have to play the role of yick-scooper-outer.

You know the kids had to get in on all this action.

They're too young to handle the knife or the drill. And heaven forbid they mess up the tracing of the design.

So they were designated the official yick suckers.




Stinkles wasn't too thrilled with the sound of the Shop Vac at first.


But she eventually warmed up to the idea.


Looks pretty good, but could be a little cleaner.


Time to pull out the heavy altillery. That's the Pumpking Gutter.


Oooo, this looks nice & clean. Good gutting job Hubby.


Let the artist work his magic.


Sorry, I had to get in a picture of my excited ballerinas.


Ooooooooo, spooky!

Silver Lining:

1. We had the most awesome pumpkins!


2. I was yick free this year!

I'm Across the Pond

I get giddy with comments.

When someone passes one of those blogger awards to me, my heart soars.

But for someone to like my drivel enough to allow me to post said drivel on their blog, I mean WOW!

I'm caught almost speechless. I say almost because really folks, have any of you ever thought of me as speechless? Seriously, I think I'd have to be heading toward the castle in the sky for that to happen.

Anywho, I'm done talking here because I'm busy talking over at Kat's. Pop on over to the Three Bedroom Bungalow for my pumpkin carving adventure.

Silver Lining:

1. It's so much fun to hop across the pond. Maybe I'll get to do it for real someday.


2. Kat's a great blogger buddy and funny too. She tells it like it is when you're an American living in the UK. When you stop by to read my post, you should check out some of her past posts too.