Cyber Jack O'Lanterns and Much More

Paper by Design has some amazing pumpkin photos. We can only wish for that kind of talent, our efforts look more like a two year old did the carving (Houstonist Warning: Toddlers and knives do not go well together!! Always supervise closely when the little ones want to "help".) We found a site where you can hone your carving skills and try your hand at lots of designs, without all of the scooping and sharp utensil danger.
Carve your own cyber Jack O' Lantern!

Still doing that pumpkin carving thing? Capture a photo and join Flickr! In fact, you can participate in t he "Hack-o-Lantern" contest. Just upload your photos to the MAKE or CRAFT photo group and tag them "MAKECRAFTHALLOWEEN". Here's a Dick Cheney pumpkin featured @ makezine.com (we mean to lean neither way, this is not a statement). When scooping the pulp (yes, we get a big, ole "DUH" on this one) either pile it up on some newspaper for convenient tossing in the garbage or the compost bin, or scoop directly thereto.

Please, don't put pumpkin pulp in your pipes (even via the disposal, you may need a plumber). For more on potential plumbing problems see this article on the perils of pumpkin guts. Kick it up a notch, sort all the seeds out of your pumpkin guts and make a tasty snack that has been around since the Aztecs first enjoyed them - Pepitas, or roasted pumpkin seeds. Here is a recipe.

Lastly, if it's Friday night and you ain't got nobody, ain't got nobody to call your own, or you want to go on a date in costume (yeah, don't touch that one). The Houston Museum of Natural Science is hosting "Spirits and Skeletons" in the Cockrell Butterfly Center. What's on hand? the Fab 5 will be playing, there will be a cash bar, appetizers, and a free IMAX of your choice. We almost forgot the best part!! There will be strolling magicians and a fortune teller (courtesy of Magic Island). You guessed it, it's a cleverly disguised member of the Mixers N Elixirs series. Tickets are $15 for non-members and $12 for members. For more information, click here or, call 713.639.4629.

Photo courtesy of flickr user paper_by_design