Jack-O-Lantern Centerpiece
October 11th, 2008 by John Wolfe
While at my parents’ house tonight, I grabbed a picture of the ceramic jack-o-lantern on the dining room table. I think I’m going to carve a real one, every week, for the next three weeks prior to Halloween, and display each one in place of the grinning ceramic gourd. The entire yard haunt is always set up at my parents’ home because of tradition and because I don’t have much space in my front yard. So, my mom’s decorating the inside a lot more this year, because we have family (two are young kids) arriving for Halloween night. I don’t know what the little ones will think, but I’m sure enjoying it. 
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October 12th, 2008 at 12:00 am
I have 3 pumpkins waiting for carving so far. Two from our garden (Lousy squash bugs!)
I don’t think I’m going to get to finish the burlap head scarecrow this year so I bought one of those foam ones with the light built in they sell at Wal-Mart to make a Sleepy Hollow Scarecrow. I admit I like it. Would never replace real pumpkins but they may replace all the lamps in the house. Great giant Jacko face on the walls.
October 12th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Oh those little ones will enjoy it alright and be VERY curious about every display up. It’s so easy for decorations to remail in place with no children, sort of like my variety of plant life in my apt. It’s perfect where it’s at but as soon as the girls come over, T especially, that’s the first thing she walks to and pulls on. Nothing a little coaching can’t help. Your Mom and Grandma seem like truly beautiful spirits, very kind souls and your most blessed to have them as family for the unconditional love they exude for you is felt far and wide John. Truly amazing women. Moreover, the deco from your women and myself look sooooooo much alike. The 3 of us would have GREAT fun at Michael’s buying up all sorts of goodies!
OH, get this!!! When I was at M’s yesterday, yes again–had to buy some more paint–I saw a massive display of foam pumpkins carved/cut in a different fashion. LoL, John, I have never seen anything like this before and what a GREAT month for me to see this. Someone painted their pumpkin silver, cut out a “door/ramp” that could lower from the pumpkin–as in open from the top and be lowered down, they put 6 silver legs under the pumpkins, cut out a few dozen view portales, pushed in some little round colored lights……….and put an ailen standing on the ramp/door coming OUT of the pumpkin. Someone made a spaceship out of the pumpkin and did a damn good job! I didn’t have my Canon with me, go figure, so I don’t have a pic but I’m tempted to go back up and sneak a pic of it cause I think you would get a giggle from this pumpkin.
Like I said yesterday, what will they think of next
Oh, the pumpkins you’ll be carving now, do they keep until Halloween? If so, how do you preserve them? Our pumpkins typically lasted for a couple of days or so after cutting and carving. How do you keep them fresh looking? Thank you for your time, have great fun and I look forward to your next upload. Have a Greeeaaaaaaat week 
October 12th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Johnny,
Sorry to hear about the garden bugs. Growing my own pumpkins and corn was something I had planned for this past spring and early summer but didn’t get to it. I’m looking forward to it in 2009.
I haven’t seen those foam-filled heads you’re talking about at my Wal-Mart. If you get some pics posted, let me know – I’d love to see your prop.
Goldie,
Yeah, after spending Halloween with us, my cousin’s kids will either never want to spend Halloween anywhere else or they’ll never want to come back, ever again!! They may get a little scared and it depends on how they process it.
Spaceship pumpkins…that’s wild alright!
The pumpkins I’ll be carving for the table won’t last until Halloween. I’ll have to pick up some more a few days prior to the 31st. I have carved jack-o-lanterns about four days out from Halloween before. To keep them looking fresh, I pour water on the them. They still shrivel some, but that helps make them look creepier. I have heard a tip about using vaseline on them too. It’s supposed to help keep them moist, but I haven’t tried it. It may make them too greasy and the grease might still show in photographs, even after wiping it off.
Enjoy your house sitting for the next two weeks.
October 19th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Nice photo! Where did you get this ceramic pumkin?
October 19th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
John,
It appears to be done by an individual and not mass produced. And, it came in a box of items at an auction. There’s always lots of cool things that come as a surprise in the “grab bag” boxes from the local auction house.
Whoever made it did a great job!