I can remember as a child how excited I would become around the middle of October each year.
It was almost time to go to the farm and pick out what would become our jack o lantern for the year.
I was always very careful.
Taking my time in selecting the perfect one for Halloween.
When we got it home my mom would very carefully cut the top and scrape out the insides.
Saving the seeds for roasting.
Once it was ready we would very carefully carve out our design.
Three perfectly cut triangles.
Two for the eyes and one for the nose.
Then we cut out the month giving it some jagged teeth.
I couldn't wait to get the candle inside and turn off the lights to see how it looked.
How spooky it was looked.
Kids today would scoff at any of my jack o lanterns.
Now people carve everything from President's to cartoon characters.
I was quite intimidated when these pumpkins started popping up in my neighborhood.
Wow! My neighbors must be masters of intricate design I thought.
Then I learned the truth.
They were all using patterns.
It all turned out to be quite simple.
Now our jack o lanterns are the envy of the neighborhood.
You will first need to choose a design that you would like to carve.
Second select a pumpkin that best suits the pattern you have chosen.
After you've prepared your pumpkin for carving, attach your pattern with stick pins.
Now carefully poke along the edges of your pattern.
Remove your paper and with a serrated knife cut along the dots.
You will find that even the most complicated designs can be created with ease using this method.
As my children and I look at photos of some of the jack o lanterns from my childhood.
Those two triangular eyes with a soft glow behind them, remind me of a time when life was a lot more simple.