Pumpkin Patch Passion
by Amanda on October 13, 2009
Halloween is not very big in Australia and orange Halloween style pumpkins are even hard to find. So, you can imagine my excitement to discover fields of pumpkins down the road from where we are living in Vancouver at the moment.
The Canadian and I visited a pumpkin patch yesterday and it was the first time he had been to one since he was a little kid. The poor guy…he’s constantly having to deal with me reliving a childhood that didn’t exist in Australia. Between first trips to Disneyland, seeing snow for the first time, pumpkins and baseball and hockey games, this is a life that is completely new to me.
So dear readers, I hope you don’t mind while I share little snippets of my life here in Vancouver. I’m still searching for the creativity, but while I do, I’ll be sharing my journey of a new life. I hope that’s OK!
Now, let’s see what mess I make when I carve the damn thing! Have you got any tips for carving pumpkins? Leave me some tips in the comments!
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Love these pics! This year I’m downloading and printing out some stencils to use to carve my pumpkin. I’ve seen results from friends who do this, and they’re always amazing.
Looks like we were at the same pumpkin patch! Or do they all just look the same?
Glad you enjoyed your first visit to the patch.
xo
that’s a very good idea. I think I’d suck doing it free hand.
I love reading about your new life in Vancouver. I have no pumpkin tips though, I always get someone else to scrape the inside out :-)
what lovely colours
looks like you’re having fun
can’t wait for the halloween pics…
More than OK for you to still be finding your feet.
Hmm, pumpkin carving could be fraught with danger. Sharp implements, smooth rounded surfaces. Ask people to stand back.
Lovely! These pictures *almost* make me embrace the cooler months and the rainy Vangroovy fall and winter…but I’m a summer girl at heart!
In your search for creativity, I humbly suggest:
- the fantastic, knocks-about-your-brain-for-days window displays at Front and Co. (too few pics on their website)
http://www.frontandcompany.ca/index.html
- people watching on Commercial Drive. People look like they’ve escaped from the circus! And yes, that’s a compliment. Grab an Americano at Joe’s Coffee, an unpretentious coffee shop. No overstuffed chairs here, just your old-school jolt of caffeine.
- The Granville Island Public Market. This is how we should shop for groceries. Local produce, fresh bread, handmade crafts, flowers, photography, and live musicians.
Enjoy your discoveries…
I too love pumpkin patches, as I grew up much farther north and pumpkins don’t grow well up there.
As for carving tips… proper knife handling skills are important, or having a first aid kit near by. (but I’m super clumsy, so hopefully you will have better luck!)
No pumpkin tips here, but I thought you might like some imagery from your hometown via Louise Hawson http://www.52suburbs.com/
Perhaps you could do a similar project while you are discovering your new city? Good luck!
yes please, bring on the ‘new life in vancouver’ posts! but you knew i’d say that. And thank you for taking us the your local pumpkin patch, what a treat. I once carved out a number of pumpkins in Van for halloween, it took me hours and hours, but it was so satisfying to see the finished results! Yes I think you need a proper pumpkin carving knife/carver for the skin, but for the inside you just need to scoop with a large spoon – tedious but fun. Or maybe I just used a sharp knife to carve the faces, hmm, I can’t remember now.
Love Rosalinda’s comment, I miss the Granville Island Public Market. And the chai at the tea stand – super delicious.
enjoy, I love Halloween
i love your blog! the pumpkin patch is beautiful…it’s hard to believe they grow that big in one season! i like white pumpkins, don’t know if you have those? use a big spoon to scrape out the inside and have fun!
Thank you SO much for all the tips, lovelies!
I will have to check to make sure we have a good carving knife.
I also picked up Martha Stewart’s Halloween issue and they suggested using pins to prick out your design too.
LOL Katie, throw me into the mix and it could be classed as a high risk adventure sport.
Rosalinda, funnily enough, we went to Granville Island only yesterday. I adore the market there. We had already had lunch elsewhere so I was a bit bummed that I couldn’t feast on all the yummy delights. I will definitely have to go back however!
Ashley, I am clumsy too, so I will take your advice and have some band aids close by.
Pia, yes I knew I wouldn’t have to convince you, dear lady. You will have to come back someday so we can take Polas and visit coffee shops.
Ooh, thanks for that Mrs B, I will check it out. :)
My tip Sydney girl to Sydney girl who loves Vancouver- try the Pumpkin Pies from Capers. Fabulous, although they do require copious amounts of cream. Watch out though, they get you addicted and then the cut you off in the new year. Eat one for me, better still snap one, I’m still dreaming of them.
Oh, pumpkins are the best!! I never worry too much about making them look perfect. It is fun to carve a scary face and then put candles inside for an eerie glow. You can also keep the seeds and toast them in the oven — Yum! Look online for all kinds of yummy seasonings to put on them! Glad to hear you are enjoying your new life in North America — keep us updated!
Oh, how fun..! I’ve had to do a lot of experiencing American things for the first time myself..! It sounds like you’re off to a great start! And yes, please, I’d love to hear ALL about your life in Vancouver, so document away..!
(I like to draw on the pumpkin with a Sharpie before I carve – it prevents ending up with seriously lopsided grins and off-center eyes!)
-maria
Ha ha! I am a Canadian, who until a few months ago was living in Vancouver. Now I’m in Adelaide, SA and literally just got back from a search around town to a) find a pumpkin, and b) find one that I wouldn’t have to saw my arm off to pay for it. Sounds like we’re having reverse experiences!
[...] love the autumnal images of Pumpkins in this post of by Amanda at Mocking Bird. I think pumpkin goes very well with cumin and coriander [...]