Monthly Archive for October, 2008

Pumpkin Carving Tips

Hey everyone.  Troy here with our Halloween update.

Our family had a great time last night preparing for Halloween.  This year we bought two pumpkins for carving for all the trick-o-treaters to enjoy.  “Why two?” you ask.  Simple, more roasted pumpkin seeds.  Yummy goodness all the way around.

This was the first year I got a little more creative with the pumpkin carving.  I asked my followers on Twitter for a place to find some great pumpkin templates.  We found some Pumpkin Carving Stencils at Hershey’s trickortreats.com site that were free, looked awesome and best of all seemed like a they required only moderate skill and simple planning to create the perfect jack-o-lantern.  The kids picked the ideas and I got to work creating my masterpieces!

Since these designs were not your traditional scary face that can be both planned and carved at the same time, a little design and planning were required.  Which I think you’ll agree was well worth the extra 10 minutes.

I did learn a couple of things about carving intricate patterns on live vegetables.

Pumpkin Carving Steps and Tips

1.  Draw out or print out the design and make sure it’s full size.

2.  Tape the stencil to the pumpkin.  This is harder than it seems at first because the stencil is flat and the pumpkin is rounded which causes the picture to fold in on itself slightly at various points around the edge.

3.  Use a pencil to poke holes to outline the drawing.

4.  Carve using a sharp knife.  I used a paring knife which was perfect for the whole project.

5.  Carve slowly starting with the middle of the design and work your way outward.  I started carving the tree on the edge and left the face until last.  But this made that part a MUCH more delicate procedure because by then all the parts I had already removed made the whole structure weaker.

6.  Carve the small intricate parts before carving out the huge chunks for the same reason as listed in number 5.

Of course we roasted and enjoyed the seeds that night.  We don’t make pumpkin pie, but all the pumpkin innards and scraps will be put to good use feeding the worms to make our organic compost.  Gotta love being green.

We wish all of you a fun and safe Halloween.  Remember to check out the two shows we posted on about what you need to know about Halloween.

The Real Parenting Show, Episode 007: Halloween Tips

Moms Everywhere Show 015: What you NEED to know about Halloween Candy

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Parents, are you doing Christmas different this year? We need your stories!

Parents, are you doing something different this year for Christmas? Are you and your spouse not planning to exchange gifts in order to give your children a great Christmas? If you’ve been affected by this economy, what are you planning to do this year so your family will still be able to have a wonderful and loving holiday?

A friend of mine , Linda Shrieves is a writer for the Orlando Sentinel and is going to be writing a story about this. She needs your help!  She will also want to interview several moms as well. So, if you are interested, please email her directly at lshrieves@orlandosentinel.com and she will contact you immediately. Share this will all your family and friends so they may contact Linda as well.

I have thought about this topic myself.  I have considered not receiving a “gift” this year and just get for the children. Also, I have thought about getting a combined gift for the children such as those combination tables that has ping pong, pool, air hockey, etc. Do  you know what I’m talking about? But, my dilemma is how is this going to work with Santa? They ALL have to ask for the same thing?!? Any suggestions on this one?

Or how about a family gift that is something we ALL DO, instead of a material thing? Movie tickets, a family membership to the Orlando Science Center, museusms, history center, etc? One year we got Circus tickets from my sister and we had a ball. The children still talk about it and it was YEARS ago!

Or, what about making gifts for one another? Remember when?

So, whatever you are doing this year for Christmas that is different due to the present economic situation, please email Linda with your stories! She would appreciate it!

Thanks!

Central Florida VegFest 2008

October 25, 200810:00 amto6:00 pm

Join Parents Everywhere at Central Florida Veg Fest on Saturday, October 25 at Loch Haven Park. This annual event, now in its third year, features healthy living and eco-friendly exhibitors, speakers and presentations. There will be Humane education, fun and games for kids, dog and cat adoptions, and live music and entertainment. How could I forget, Great Vegetarian Food from area restaurants will also be available. So join us for a family day of fun and healthy options on October 25 from 10-6 at Loch Haven Park. Visit CFVEGFEST.ORG Today for More information. Activist and comedian Hal Sparks will be performing as well!

Halloween Costume Suggestions for your children

Here’s a guest blog post for any questions about Halloween costumes or maybe where to get them for your children other than the local stores in your area. Let us know what you think! Enjoy!

From HollywoodToysandCostumes.com http://www.hollywoodtoysandcostumes.com/ Your eGuide to Costumes and online source for Halloween fun! Visit our blog for tips on the holidays, http://blog.hollywoodtoysandcostumes.com/ for more informative Halloween costume articles.

When you’re dressing up in costume for a celebration, whether Halloween, birthdays or any other festive occasion, you don’t want to have to explain your outfit to every curious individual. Not only is it profoundly irritating to have to repeat yourself over and over, but if you’re not dressed as anything particularly outrageous, you’re bound to see some disappointed faces upon giving your answer.

Avoid that potential embarrassment with a sure bet, movie character costumes. By dressing up as a film icon that everybody recognizes, you can avoid the third degree from imperceptive or critical individuals while looking like you truly took the time to choose a great outfit.

Some movie characters are better than others, however. Dressing up as Chester Greenburg from Dude, Where’s My Car? isn’t going to get you rave reviews. So we suggest one of many heroic figures listed below. These movie character costumes are easily recognizable and guaranteed to impress the crowds wherever you’re partying.

1. The Hulk – Dressing yourself in all green, padding yourself with a great deal of extra “muscle” and the ability to yell “Hulk Smash!” whenever someone makes a joke at your expense during the party are all the reasons that dressing as the Hulk is a great way to stand out and draw some attention. It may take some time to get into the outfit, but the character is easily recognizable and visually impressive, two major plusses for any costume.

2. Optimus Prime – Another example of a visually dazzling costume, most everyone knows about the Transformers and their leader Optimus Prime. There is no way that you will not get a lot of positive feedback if you dress up as the powerful truck that’s “More Than Meets the Eye.”

3. The Incredibles – Any character from the Disney/Pixar movie The Incredibles is a good choice. With matching red outfits and a lightning bolt across the chest, it’s highly likely you’ll draw a chuckle from the other costume party guests.

4. Indiana Jones – With Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull hitting it big at the box office, the Indiana Jones character has once again become topical and is still just as recognizable. Additionally, an Indiana Jones costume is likely the most comfortable of the movie character costumes so far, since he is essentially dressed in tan colored street clothes. Also, you get to carry a whip in the event you have to swing across chasms and avoid poison darts.

5. Iron Man – If you want to dress as Iron Man, you are either going to have to spring for an expensive plastic and metal costume or wear a softer, cushioned costume made from fabric. Either way, this costume is full-bodied and colored yellow and red, making it eye catching.

6. Yoda – Not all Star Wars characters are still in fashion, but Yoda is a beloved classic whose popularity will never die. This Jedi costume is especially hilarious if worn by an individual over 3 feet tall.

7. Nacho Libre – This costume has three distinct advantages. First, you get to be a character played by Jack Black, a true comedic talent. Second, you get to dress as a Mexican wrestler. Third, you get to wear Spandex. Clearly there is no downside to this character’s costume.

As for your other choices, when choosing a heroic movie character costume not from this list, try to either pick a movie that has been released recently or an old classic that is rarely used. It’s possible that certain movie character costume ideas can get old, so the best way to pull it off is to either remain current or bring back a nostalgic character look. If you put forth a little effort and creativity, rather than going with the easiest outfit to locate, you’re sure to defeat the arch-nemesis of any disguise party: the boring costume.

Full Harvest Vegan Dinner

October 10, 20087:00 pmto9:00 pm

Join us Friday, October 10 at 7 pm for a four-course, white
tablecloth, gourmet Fall Harvest Vegan Dinner. The cost is $39 per
person, includes wine parings, and requires a prepaid reservation.
Please call the College Park location of Infusion Tea to make a
reservation or for more information.

Here’s what’s on the menu:
–Earl Grey Mushroom Consomme with Truffled Mousse
–Autumn Tarragon Vinaigrette Salad with Roasted Sweet Corn, Cherry
Tomato & Green Onion
–Saffron Risotto Cakes with Oolong Pistachio Chutney
–Fall Harvest Torte