Pumpkins for the Pumpkin Carving Challenged



We haven't been pumpkin picking yet. So this weekend is going to be busy. Good thing I have lots of fun ideas from lots of fun bloggers.

(I don't feel too bad not pumpkining yet - a few years back I got our pumpkins earlier in the season, and the squirrels made themselves at home IN my pumpkins, while apparently trying to chew their way out. That very same year, I had pumpkins on display inside, and one of those beauties got so ripe - read ROTTED - it took the finish right off the table. Last minute pumpkin picking is the way for me!)

Now, traditional pumpkin carving is great - and all of our older kids LOVE it. However, there's a little snag - the little one, who is now 5, literally gags when carving pumpkins. It's bad. I don't know if it's the texture of the pumpkin guts, or the smell. Either way, we need something that doesn't involve carving for our little pumpkin.

Because of that, I've gathered a few ideas, that he will be able to help with, and hopefully avoid him losing his lunch!



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DIY Glittered Pumpkins. I am glitter obsessed, and this is perfect for the kids. Even the youngest can manage some glue and glitter on a pumpkins.




These painted gold/copper pumpkins look amazing with twinkle lights! WOW! (There's no website given, but they're beautiful!) I would love to arrange some painted fake pumpkins on my hutch with twinkle lights.




Gold Thumbtack Pumpkin by Madigan Made. Beautiful, albeit time consuming. I imagine the older kids could go to town with the thumbtacks and a smaller sized pumpkin.





The Confetti Pumpkins by Made in a Day, is beautiful too. These would certainly be easy enough for even young kids to help.



Carving with a drill at The Garden Glove. Of course, adults would have to do the drilling, but the kids would definitely love the effect! You can even drill little holes and stick lollipops in the holes for trick-or-treaters to grab on Halloween.



One of my FAVORITE ideas is the Sweater Pumpkin by Craftaholics Anonymous. It's a sweater, filled it with grocery bags! And it's just plain awesome!



The Washi Pumpkin from I Heart Naptime is adorable, and another idea that the little ones can help with.

This image is from Pinterest, so I apologize, there's no tutorial. But if you have a plain wreath, seems it would be easy to hot glue the mini (fake) pumpkins, and add a big black bow... I love it!

How easy and cute are Sharpie Decorated Pumpkins from Simply Modern Mom. White paint and a fancy sharpie color!




AND what's a pumpkin roundup without a pumpkin recipe? Seriously, all that decorating makes me hungry!

 

Pumpkin Muffins



Preheat the oven to 350F.

GET: 1 box carrot cake (15 oz), and one can of pumpkin (15 oz).

Take the carrot cake mix. Dump the contents in a big bowl.  DO NOT add anything the box calls for, just the powdered mix.

Now take the can of pumpkin. Put that in with the cake mix. That's it. Don't add the eggs, or whatever else the box calls for.

Stir, stir, stir!  Stir til it's all mixed up, and you have arms like Popeye. Then put the whole gooey mess in a gallon Ziploc baggie. Trim the corner off and "pipe" into muffin tin (with liners). Or just use a spoon an fill the liners. Either way, it will not look very good at this point. You'll see. Pretend not to notice and carry on.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.  While the muffins bake, make this recipe for frosting. You could just buy frosting, but I make my own frosting because it's easy, and it comes out fluffier than store-bought.

Cream Cheese Frosting

 

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1 tbsp. butter 
• 1 c powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 tablespoons milk

Directions:

1. Blend softened cheese and butter in mixer.
2. Blend and whip in the sugar and vanilla. (you can add more sugar to taste)
3. Beat in enough milk to get the right spreading consistency. (Not too thin, not to thick, just right, okay?)

When the muffins are done, let them cool. Don't eat them yet! They're about to get fabulous. Well, better, at least.

Take each muffin and slice it in half, like so:

 

Then frost the middle. THAT WAY you don't get frosting on your fingers. Eat 'em up and share 'em to your kids. Just don't tell them how you did it - you'll be a rock-star.

 

 

Pretend as if you've been baking pumpkins, grating carrots, sifting flour, and whisking eggs all day. Maybe even put on a fancy baking apron before everyone gets home.