Give back to Nature with Your Leftover Jack-o'-Lantern

While many people just throw away their jack-o'-lantern come November 1st, why not re-purpose the pumpkin for other uses. If you live close to nature and some wildlife, old pumpkin always makes a tasty snack for a furry neighbor. Cut up good ol' Jack and leave pieces strewn outside, away from your yard. If you're feeling exceptionally generous, you can always decide to share some pumpkin seeds with the birds. Place any unwanted pumpkin seeds in a container and let the birds have a tasty snack. If you're in the mood for some gardening, then use your old jack-o'-lantern as a planter for some fresh flowers or bulbs. Simply fill the hollowed out pumpkin with dirt and place your bulb of choice inside. With a little love and water, you will have flowers blooming in no time. The great thing about using the pumpkin as a planter, when it rots it will just decompose into the soil and become fertilizer. 

How to Make Peanut Butter Pumpkins

 

 

Have your own pumpkin patch right in your kitchen with these delicious peanut butter pumpkins!

These Halloween recipe is so easy and delicious, it's scary! Not only will this spooky dessert have your taste buds tingling, it will have you screaming with delight.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar, sifted
• red food coloring
• yellow food coloring
• green decorators icing

 

 

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a large bowl and add a few drops of yellow and red food coloring, until mixture has a nice orange color.
2. Add the peanut butter and confectioners sugar and mix together until a dough-like consistency is reached. (This means that when the dough is nice and stiff and it gets hard to add any more sugar, to let it go at that).
3. Shape dough into small balls shaped like pumpkins; make ridges on the pumpkins with a toothpick.
4. Add a small amount of green decorators icing to the top of each pumpkin for a stem.
5. Refrigerate, if desired, to allow pumpkins to firm.
6. Serve on a plate lined with toasted coconut and Halloween decorated cookies, if desired; these also look good on top of cupcakes.

How to Carve a Pumpkin Like a Pro

How to Carve a Pumpkin 

1. Choose the right pumpkin: Choosing the right pumpkin is key to any great pumpkin carving. Depending on the type of face you want to carve, you will either choose a wider pumpkin or a taller pumpkin. For a face a taller pumpking would probably be best, but for an animal or object a wider one will do the trick nicely.



2. Let the Surgery Begin: Decapitating the pumpkin can be the hardest part for many, who aren't sure what type of incision to make. To avoid any pumpkin carving mishaps, use a strong blade and cut the stem in a cone-shape so that it comes out easily and fits back in nicely.


3. Scoop the innards: Using an ice cream scoop usually works the best but you can always just scoop the goop with your hands. Be sure that you don't just remove all the pumpkin seeds but you scrape around the sides as well, starting from the hold opening to the bottom. 


5. Draw the face: It's probably best to us a dry erase marker because if you don't like your drawing, you can erase it.

6. Carving Time: While a kit can be less stressful and harmful, power-tools get the job done neatly and quickly. A jigsaw is perfect for removing chunks (like eyes and the mouth) and a rotary tool can help carve away the skin. For big areas, try using an angle grinder to shape the pumpkin or remove skin.


8. Preserving Your Pumpkin: Everyone knows that pumpkins rot. To avoid the inevitable a little bit longer, try spraying your pumpkin with bathroom cleaner. Not only will it prevent early decay but it helps to keep the bugs, mold, and animals away.
 
Enjoy your pumpkins! 

Halloween Pet Safety 101

With Halloween fast approaching, we wanted share some tips to keeping your pet safe this Halloween. While we all know dressing up or fur babies can be one of the funnest parts of any holiday, this Halloween make sure your animal is safe by following this simple tips.

1. By no means should your animal be allowed to consume candy in any form. While some of the non-chocolate candies may seem harmless, they could cause stomach aches or worse if not caught. Also, NEVER let your pet consume chocolate as it can be very dangerous and toxic. If your furry friend consume any candy please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2.While decorating for Halloween is common for all generations of pet lovers, it is important to remember that your animal could potentially decide to make your decorations his/her new chew toy. Try to keep wires and cords away from your pet, if chewed they can cause cuts or burns, or possibly a life-threatening shock to your fur baby.

3. Dressing-up your fur baby can be fun for some pets, but please be sure your animal actually likes wearing a costume. Many animals prefer their "birthday suits" and can get stressed and annoyed while wearing a costume. If you do decide to dress up your pet, be sure the costume isn't unsafe or annoying by constricting the animal's movements or hearing.

4. Make sure all animals are kept away from the front door while trick-or-treaters come calling. Too many strangers and costumes can cause your dog or cat to become stressed and scared leading to aggravated behavior. If your animal doesn't like people, then it's a safe bet they shouldn't be allowed near the front door. Also, be sure all your animals are equipped with proper identification in case they dart out when you open the door.


By following these simple tips your animal should have fun, safe and relaxing Halloween just like you.