daxonmacs

Here's my pumpkin

Saturday, 31. October 2009, 22:12:00

Never really carved a single one before, but I learned a lot in doing these ones, and so did the girls.
We actually did these ones together.
I better get the right tools next time, a steak knife and a spoon were nowhere recommended.

And the other one.

In the dark, it's looking "better"

Some ... SmithsSome ... Smiths

Comments

Deb Platt # 31. October 2009, 23:10

Most impressive! I was terrified by the bottom one.

daxonmacs # 31. October 2009, 23:33

It was fun to do with the girls, they enjoyed it a lot.
Made a mistake with the first one, not cutting the eyes and mouth upfront, and it broke.
I just forgot about it, when we started cutting and carving.
Thanks, consider it my BOO!!!

Deb Platt # 31. October 2009, 23:49

Oh, I love it -- I got "BOO-ed" again! "BOO" back atcha.

Actually, I'm wondering if you'd mind me saving the bottom image. With your permission, I think I'd like to squirrel it away for future web decorations, Halloween messages, and things of that sort. It really is nearly perfect.

daxonmacs # 31. October 2009, 23:51

That's okay, let me know if you want it in a bigger size.

Deb Platt # 1. November 2009, 00:02

I just tried using it as laptop's wallpaper - I love it! It adds to the festive spirit of the day!

The trick-or-treaters just finsihed off here (it's actually a scheduled activity where I live; it goes from 6 to 8 p.m.). We had a big turn-out! The little kids were adorable.

daxonmacs # 1. November 2009, 00:09

Scheduled, eh? No such thing here, they just start somewhere before noon, and end at about five or six. But that's New year, no such thing as trick or treat here.
It does look good, and big enough, nice.
Running Ubuntu

I thought you would be in a tent by now?

Deb Platt # 1. November 2009, 00:36

There are regional differences here in the U.S. Halloween is very popular in Ohio and in Pennsylvania (where I grew up). I lived in Texas for seven years; Texas is part of what's known as the "Bible Belt" here. To my surprise, it was way less popular in Texas. Up north, it is considered to be a fun, secular holiday (which you were decrying - sorry, it always has been fun, yet secular for me). Northern, church-going Christians have no problem celebrating Halloween. In fact, when I was a school child, it was celebrated in our public schools in a very big way. But down South, there are quite a few Christians who view the whole thing with suspicion (so like you, I think they are seeing it in a more religious, less secular way, but unlike you they disapprove). Our family continued to celebrate Halloween in Texas (the photo of Bob and Dee dressed as pirates was taken there), and other people in Texas also celebrated it, but no where near as many as up north.

It might also reflect settlement patterns. Northwestern Pennsylvania was settled primarily by people of Scotch, Irish, and German descent. So maybe all the Irish people brought the observation of Halloween over here with them.

As to camping, yesterday it was very warm (25.6 degrees C), We packed up the car and were ready to go. But today, they were predicting a low of 0 degrees C, so we decided that it was time to call it quits for the season. Instead we bought candy for the trick-or-treaters and had fun handing them out for a couple hours.

Due to H1N1, instead of having kids reach into the bowl of candy to select some for themselves, we were told to pick out the candy and drop it into their bags ourselves so as to not have kids spread the flu to one another.

daxonmacs # 1. November 2009, 00:58

Originally posted by debplatt:

Due to H1N1, instead of having kids reach into the bowl of candy to select some for themselves, we were told to pick out the candy and drop it into their bags ourselves so as to not have kids spread the flu to one another.

Wise advice.

Well, I'm not sure what is meant with "decrying", but I'm not as much condemning as I am regretting it. It is a new commercial event, rather than a rooted tradition, and so many are forgotten already.
By my knowledge, Halloween has never been celebrated that way, over here. It's clearly an influence from the movies.
It's only in recent years ( last ten or so ) that it made entrance in primary schools.
I don't see it as a regular event either. And in fact, the whole pumpkin and costume idea comes closer to Celtic than to regular celebration.
That being said: I don't mind people having their regular celebrations, as long as they don't expect me being part of - or in - it.

From 25.6°C to 0°C in a day, that's mighty fast. Now do you believe that the veils are at its thinnest? BOO!!!

Deb Platt # 1. November 2009, 01:01

Originally posted by daxonmacs:

Now do you believe that the veils are at its thinnest? BOO!!!

Got me again... yes, they are seeming pretty thin.

daxonmacs # 1. November 2009, 01:06

Those are cool, too.

Nighttime for me now, no visitors, so I can sleep like a baby.

Deb Platt # 1. November 2009, 01:07

G'nite!

Tab # 1. November 2009, 01:12

I love both pumpkins..you and your kids have done a fantastic job.

I couldn't chose which I prefer.

Deb looks awesome as your background

Gotta go check (raid) the kids candy.

Happy Halloween

daxonmacs # 1. November 2009, 01:17

Thanks Tab.
And thanks Deb, but really,

Le Ha Phuong # 1. November 2009, 01:51

Pumpkins are so terrific!
Comments are also very informative!

Kiran # 1. November 2009, 02:12

Nice carvings, I like the last one.

Darkest Hour # 1. November 2009, 03:41

Cool pumpkin ya got there, the last one takes 1st prize

daxonmacs # 1. November 2009, 09:44

I'm glad you like it Le Ha.
I often learn new things from the comments, too.

daxonmacs # 1. November 2009, 09:45

Thanks, Kyren and Darkest, I wish I could take all credit, but I found inspiration and design on this site.
There are a ot more beautiful designs, but I didn't dare trying it, it being a first time and with no better tools at hand.

Kiran # 1. November 2009, 10:48

I love internet.

Deb Platt # 1. November 2009, 13:12

Were you basing your smiling Jack-O-Lantern on this design?

If so, you totally pwned the original!

daxonmacs # 1. November 2009, 13:45

You're too kind Deb, don't ever change

PainterWoman # 1. November 2009, 14:21

Love that first one, Danny. I've never seen one carved like that.

daxonmacs # 1. November 2009, 14:27

Neither had I, Pam, until I found the above said site.
Glad you like it, I may repeat this next year, with better tools, and more fun ( complicated) designs.

Shaunak De # 1. November 2009, 14:33

Nice. I quite like the first one.

daxonmacs # 1. November 2009, 14:36

Thanks for your kind words, too, Shaunak.

Elias Yemreli # 2. November 2009, 11:03

Sorry for the late comment. That's a nice pumpkin

Reader # 4. November 2009, 02:19

Awesome carvings. Here in south africa it's the beginning of summer. Guess samhain and halloween's redundant here. It's more of a fad or excuse to party rather than a holiday or day to observe.

daxonmacs # 5. November 2009, 22:06

Thanks, Elias.

fathdoc, over here, and this country has a majority of christians, November First is known as All Saints. As for a reason to party or celebrate, I don't have to look on the calendar, per se.

Darkest Hour # 6. November 2009, 03:49

Excellent, celebrations are so much better when not planned to the smallest detail

daxonmacs # 6. November 2009, 03:55

Hehe, party animal, are you?

Darkest Hour # 6. November 2009, 03:57

Whenever the opportunity arises

daxonmacs # 6. November 2009, 04:09

Ah ... another new day

Darkest Hour # 6. November 2009, 04:11

That would do, any day with a letter y in it

daxonmacs # 6. November 2009, 04:14

Some people are shameless.

To Everyday and Allday.

Darkest Hour # 6. November 2009, 04:15

Now your talking

Cheers

solid copper # 6. November 2009, 11:11

It is impressive (the pumpkin carving effort, not the shamelessness of some people)!

daxonmacs # 6. November 2009, 11:20

Originally posted by solid copper:

not the shamelessness of some people

Thanks, it was fun, too. I'm planning to get better tools, like a little saw, to do this again. The girls really enjoyed it, too, though the youngest one was a bit hesitating at first.

Deb Platt # 6. November 2009, 15:02

Originally posted by daxonmacs: