Comments on: Haley Family Homeschool Update

By: trish

trish — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:52:11 +0000

Thanks for printing it out for the great-grands, Mama’.

Peggy, sounds awesome! Will definitely use the pumpkins for pie after we carve them. I appreciate the recipes. I will try boiling the seeds in salted water. I haven’t tried that before. Saw a recipe to soak in salt water overnight before baking, but boiling sounds more instantly gratifying–perfect for my level of patience.

By: Peggy Clift

Peggy Clift — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:38:08 +0000

Others have answered your question, so I’ll add this:
If you want to eat your pumpkin later, don’t use a real candle on Halloween, use a flickering tea light (Wilton).

To cook your own pumpkin:
Cut pumpkin into palm-sized pieces (electric knife makes it easy). Scrape pulp and seeds (if you didn’t already for jack-o-lanterns). Boil, steam or bake until tender. (I boil.) Remove any remaining pulp (and seeds) and peel like potatoes. Mash pumpkin. Freeze or can in 1- or 2-cup portions.

For seeds:
Rinse pulp from seeds. Boil seeds in salted water (like seawater) a few minutes (until gray looking). Place on baking sheet and bake at 300F until slightly browning on edges of seeds and seeds are dry (45 min.).

Happy Halloween!

By: Niki

Niki — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:56:43 +0000

Awesome update, as always. You bring your stories to life right on the screen. I am printing them out for the great-grands, and they love it. Thanks for making the effort, along with all the things constantly needing your attention. Hope you have a wonderful visit with your mom. Give her our love, too.

By: trish

trish — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:21:33 +0000

Thanks Amanda E!

By: trish

trish — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:20:02 +0000

Sarah, I think Aussie’s don’t celebrate Halloween, am I right? Pumpkins are a huge deal in October and carving Jack-o-Lanterns are one of my kids’ favorite things to do for Halloween. Will check in on your blog to see the clay creations!

By: trish

trish — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:17:44 +0000

Hey Kathy! Just open up your google reader, click add subscription, and then add my url. That’s how I do it… and I’m off to add yours! Thanks for reading. I’ll peruse yours when I get some time. I’m on deadline right now.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:08:17 +0000

I want to follow your blog with my google blogger but i don’t see a button to do that, so keep telling us on facebook when you update:) We are loving homeschool too, for all the same reasons!! I kind of wish I wasn’t with a program though because it’s hard to do different history and science lessons, I think we could have so much more fun if they were doing the same lessons! And I wish you still lived here and we could do all sorts of field trips together!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:05:44 +0000

Wow you guys really get into your pumpkins. Funny acctualy we’ve been creating with clay last week too. A little diferent to your creations though, I should write a post about it.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:23:33 +0000

Nice update Trish! I Your doing an awesome job! Keep us posted!

By: trish

trish — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:27:15 +0000

Thanks Amanda! I’ve got them sitting in the hallway inside the house. The kids have finally stopped asking about carving them (they’re becoming part of the wall paper). I know from experience that carved pumpkins do not last long in Texas. I appreciate the info.