Donnie Worley's
compliments of
Donnie Worley 423-943-0045 ¡ 423-247-8326 www.ateampros.com/ DonnieWorley@ATeamPros.com A Team Real Estate Professionals 1938 Brookside Drive Kingsport, TN 37660
Do you feel that tingle down your spine? Can you smell the pumpkin spice that has invaded every coffee shop and every aisle of the grocery store? Are you seeing skeletons on every corner? Get ready for the Trick or Treat brigade because October is here! This month in Welcome Home magazine master the art of pumpkin carving, the 21st century way. Ever wonder where Jack o' Lanterns came from? Let us tell you all about the legend of Stingy Jack and his eternal light. But it's not all fun and candy in the magazine this month: October is also Breast Cancer awareness month. Learn how you can help to spread the word and save lives by bringing attention to this most important cause. If you decide to carve your pumpkins the traditional way or go all out and paint them pink for a good cause, our pages have the information you need to do it right. Have an outrageous October, and as always, Welcome Home!
compliments of
Donnie Worley 423-943-0045 ¡ 423-247-8326
Visit My Site Email Me A Team Real Estate Professionals 1938 Brookside Drive Kingsport, TN 37660
Welcome Home! Table of Contents 4
Recipe And Design
A tasty recipe and a stylish home design how to.
5
Black Cat Facts
Five little known facts about our furry friends.
6
The Halloween Pumpkin
Discover The Legend of Stingy Jack
8
In The Kitchen.
A sweet way to raise awareness: Strawberry Bark
9
Health and Wellness.
Pink for October: Breast Cancer awareness saves lives.
10
Spooktacular Halloween Musicals
12
Saving Lives Through Breast Cancer Awareness
Little Shop Of Horrors anyone?
Help spread the word on Breast Cancer and save lives. 14
Carving Pumpkins
How to create a 21st century Jack’O Lantern.
18
Fifty Fun Halloween Facts
It’s time for a little Halloween trivia!
20
Products To Love!
Hot trends, technological wonders of tomorrow and so much more!
21
DIY Project - October Make Halloween adorable: Preppy Pumpkins
Welcome Home is for entertainment purposes only. This magazine is not intended to solicit other brokers’ listings. If you are currently working with another broker, please disregard this information. All pictures courtesy of sxc.hu unless otherwise noted. Thanks to Wikipedia for Random Fact information and aid.
Editor in Chief - Phly Jambor The information provided in this publication of Welcome Home or on any website maintained by U.S. Cybertek, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees (collectively Publisher) is intended as a general guide illustrating common methods of common practices, and the publisher makes no warranty or guarantee whatsoever of the safety, effectiveness, or other characteristic of any methods or products described herein. Neither does the Publisher assume any liability for information published in any website or other publication to which reference may be made herein. Readers are cautioned to review and comply with all written instructions, safety bulletins, and other materials provided in connection with any of the products mentioned herein and all products used in connection with any of the methods described. Neither Published nor any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees shall in any case be liable to you or anyone else for any loss or injury or any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special punitive or similar damages arising out of your use of or failure to use any of the methods and/ or products described in this publication or any other publication or websites to which reference may be made herein. Publisher disclaims all warranties, and any warranty or guarantee of safety, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose lies solely with the manufacture(s) of any product described or recommended or used used in connection with any methods described or recommended.
Recipe and Design One Pot Beef Stew
Ingredients: • 1 1/2 pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 1 lb. trimmed meat) • 1 teaspoon black pepper • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided • 1 tablespoon canola oil • 3 medium carrots (about 7 oz.), cut diagonally into 1 1/2-inch pieces • 1 medium-size yellow onion (about 8 oz.), cut into 12 wedges • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 cup dry red wine • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 4 cups beef broth • 12 ounces baby new potatoes, cutting larger ones in half • 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar • 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Preparation: 1. Sprinkle beef with pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high. Add beef to Dutch oven; cook, stirring occasionally, until brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate. 2. Add carrots and onions to Dutch oven; cook, stirring often, until carrots and onions start to soften, 4 to 6 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Add red wine; cook until liquid has almost evaporated, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring and scraping to loosen browned bits from bottom of Dutch oven. 3. Whisk together flour and 1/2 cup broth in a small bowl; add to Dutch oven. Stir in beef and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 3 1/2 cups stock; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 45 minutes. Add potatoes; cover and cook until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in mustard and vinegar. Sprinkle each serving with about 1 tablespoon parsley.
Southern Living, October 2016
Haunted Paper Tree Mural
This spectacular paper tree makes the perfect display for hanging treat bags or the best backdrop to a fun DIY photo station at a Halloween-theme party. What You Need: • • • • • •
Black Construction Paper Black Masking Tape Scissors Wall Safe Adhesive Strips Glue Stick Glitter Paper
Instructions: 1. Begin by laying sheets of black construction paper side-by-side on the floor until you have enough to create the size of tree you want to make. 2. Create a tree trunk and branch pattern atop the construction paper, and cut out. 3. Flip the pieces over, and tape their seams together with black masking tape. 4. Use hanging strips to mount the tree to a wall. 5. Trace and cut out patterns for the crow, owl, and spider. Trace the owl's eyebrows, eyes, beak, wings, and other details onto the back of a piece of glitter paper. 6. Cut those pieces out and use a glue stick to attach them to the owl. Position the animal patterns on the tree using hanging strips. Courtesy of Better Homes and gardens.com
5 Facts About Black Cats Black cats are often associated with good or bad luck and there are many articles written that refer to the superstitions and folklore that surrounds them. Less well known and interesting characteristics of black cats are often overlooked and below are five things that you may not have known about them. Golden Eye Factor A black cat's eyes are typically golden, or yellow, in colour and this is because the over-production of melanin that makes their fur so black often causes the cat's irises to reflect this melanism and produce the pigment that gives this golden or yellow colouring. Gene Factor To be a true black cat both of the parents need to carry the black colour gene. Though this sounds a fairly simple equation, what you may not know is that the dominant cat fur gene is actually tabby and it is only the added presence of a recessive gene known as a non-agouti that suppresses these tabby markings. In a cat where this gene is not fully suppressed you may notice that close up, or more especially in bright sunlight, you can make out the faint tabby stripes on the animal's tail or legs and also perhaps see the M marking on the cat's head that is more often characteristic of a tabby cat.
There are said to be around twenty breeds of cat that can produce a black offspring but the only breed of cat that is all black is the Bombay cat and they are often referred to as miniature panthers. Appearing To Rust A high degree of exposure to sunlight can lead to a black cat's fur to temporarily take on a rusty reddish- brown appearance. This rusty appearance can also be seen when the cat has an absence of an enzyme called tyrosine. Interesting Immune System Quirk Early studies have indicated that black cats may very likely be more resistant to certain diseases such as Feline HIV and that their genetic makeup may well be of benefit to their immune system Worldwide Appreciation There is a growing appreciation of black cats around the globe and this is shown in the fact that there are days designated to the celebration of the dark furred feline. What may be less known is that some of the better-known celebration days actually have different dates and this has caused some confusion on social media amongst the black cat loving fraternity. Written by John Deeprose. Courtesy of ezinearticles.com.
THE HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN WHO IS STINGY JACK?
The Legend of Stingy Jack The Jack-o-Lantern, according to legend, originated in Ireland, and was initially made not from a pumpkin, but a turnip. The old Irish legend tells of how there lived a farmer named Stingy Jack. Jack was rather lazy, but very cunning, and enjoyed playing tricks on people. One victim of his tricks was the devil, who he managed to trap, and only released when the devil agreed that he would not come for Jack's soul when he died.
There are a number of variations on the story. In one version, Stingy Jack invited the devil to have a drink with him. To avoid paying for his drink, Jack asked the Devil to turn himself into a coin, but then he put the coin in his pocket, along with a silver cross. The cross prevented the devil from returning to his normal form, and Jack only released him on the condition that the devil not bother him for a year, and not claim his soul if he died. In another version of the coin story, Jack was being chased by villagers from whom he had stolen goods. The devil appeared, as it was time for Jack to die, but Jack enticed the devil into playing a trick on the villagers by turning himself into a coin which Jack could use to pay for the stolen goods. When the coin disappeared, the villagers would fight over its disappearance, believing tha one of their number had stolen it. The devil, who found such trouble-making amusing, agreed to this plan, but then found himself in Jack's wallet alongside a silver cross that Jack had also stolen, and was unable to change back to his normal form. In a third version of the story, Jack tricked the devil into climbing up an apple tree, then carved a cross into the bark (or placed crosses around the trunk), so the devil could not come down. In every version of the story, Jack only released the devil when the devil agreed not to take his soul. Jack's plan backfired somewhat, however. When Jack eventually died, he was unable to go to heaven, because of his sinful lifestyle. But the devil, upset by Jack's tricks, and staying true to his bargain, wouldn't allow him into hell either, and sends him back out into the dark night, with the result that Jack was forced to spend eternity wandering in the darkness between heaven and hell. Jack complained that he could not see where to go, so the devil threw him a burning ember, which being from hell, never goes out. Jack was fond of eating turnips, and usually had one with him, so he carved a lantern from one of his turnips, and put the ember inside it. Guided by his lantern, Jack proceeded to spend eternity wandering the earth at night in search of a place to rest. The Irish began to refer to him as 'Jack of the Lantern', which was later shorted to Jack-o-Lantern. The lantern became the symbol of a damned soul, and the Irish, Scottish and English would carve their own lanterns from turnips and other vegetables such as swedes, mangelwurzels and (in England) large beets, and then place them in the windows to scare away Jack and other evil spirits, particularly at Halloween time. Many believe that the Halloween vegetable
lantern tradition was then brought to the US by the Irish and Scottish immigrants of the mid-19th century. Debunking the Legend Such is the legend about the origins of the Jack-oLantern. But like most legends, it is contradicted in a few ways by known facts: The term 'Jack-o-Lantern' is not widely used outside the US Although there is a very long tradition of making carved vegetable lanterns in the British Isles, the term Jack-oLantern does not appear to have been used in reference to these lanterns. In fact, the term, despite its supposedly Irish roots, is not very common outside of the US. It originally referred to a night watchman (man with a lantern - this usage dates back at least to the mid 17th century), and later, to the ignis fatuus, or will-o'-the wisp, and in some areas this use of the term persists today. The use of the pumpkin lantern developed independently of the turnip lantern Many people believe that the use of the Halloween pumpkin lantern was inspired by the turnip lantern tradition that was brought to the US by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the mid 19th century. In fact pumpkins had been used to make lanterns during the harvest season in the US long before the mass immigrations, so the pumpkin lantern was not a new phenomenon. However, its use may have been popularised more widely by the immigrants, who found pumpkins to be a useful substitute for turnips and other traditional vegetables. Neither turnip or pumpkin lanterns were originally associated with Halloween The carved vegetable lantern was not originally associated with Halloween either in the US or in Britain, but it has now become so. One reason is that at this time of year, it was traditionally believed that the barrier between the physical and the spirit worlds becomes thinner, and contact with the souls of the dead is more readily made. The lanterns were both symbolic of such wandering spirits, and were also used to scare them away. People also used to dress up in costumes (much like the Halloween costumes of today), in an attempt to scare these spirits away. Over time these traditions have become more specifically associated with the Halloween festivities. But whatever its origins, it's undeniable that over the last century or so, the Jack-o-Lantern - particularly the American pumpkin variety - has become inextricably associated with Halloween, which just wouldn't be the same without it! Written by Mel Karel. Courtesy of articlesbase.com
In The Kitchen
Strawberry Bark Ingredients: • 1 24oz almond bark. • Pink Sprinkles • Strawberry creme Jell-O pudding • Pink candy coloring (found at craft stores) • Any other treats you'd like to add (M&M's, pretzels, peanuts, Oreos, etc.)
1. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Run your finger along the seam to press to crease the paper down into it. 2. Melt half (12 oz) of the almond bark in a microwave safe bowl. I start with 60 seconds at 50%-60% power in the microwave. Then I stir and continue in 30 second spurts until melted, stirring in between each time. When there are only a few little lumps left go ahead and pull it out. 3. Now add 6 tsp of strawberry pudding mix to the chocolate. Once mixed add in a few drops of pink candy coloring. I was really surprised that the pudding did not make the chocolate turn pink when mixed in...weird since it turns pink with milk! You will want to work quickly because the pudding does start to thicken the chocolate. 4. Then pour and spread out over the wax paper. It may not smooth out perfect since it's thickened up a bit but don't worry the next layer will smooth out nicely over it. If your going to be adding any other treats (like pretzels) layer them over the strawberry layer now. Let sit in fridge until firm. 5. Once the first layer is firm, pull it out and let it sit on the counter while you melt the second half of the almond bark the same way, then our over strawberry layer and spread out. You can shake the pan a bit to get it to smooth out. 6. Now toss on any toppings you would like to use. This is my girls favorite part! 7. Let cool in the fridge until hard. Once hardened you will be able to gently lift the entire piece up off the wax paper. 8. Now just break it up! Courtesy of makebakecelebrate.com
Health & Wellness
Pink for October When you think of the month of October, the first thing that probably comes to mind is goblins, ghosts, and ghouls. Decorations and Haunted houses. People wearing scary masks and costumes. However for some people October is not about wearing scary masks and costumes. It is the month to wear a special pink ribbon. Did you know that October was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Instead of thinking about what you are going to wear as your Halloween costume this month, commit to wearing that special pink ribbon or bracelet. Support and bring awareness to a cause for those are living with the disease, those who are in remission, and those were unfortunate enough to have lost their battle. Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer among women. It is estimated that nearly 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year. Over 40,000 of these women will die from this disease this year. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women preceded by lung cancer. Breast cancer does not discriminate. Men can also get the disease although
this is less often. There are over 2 million survivors of the disease living in the U.S today. But far too many have lost the battle. Breast cancer can strike anyone at anytime and now more than ever awareness is needed. This month you will most likely witness supporters all over the country marching to support the cause. Thousands of women, children, and men will be joining breast cancer walks and proudly wearing their pink ribbons. Join them and donate to support the cause. You may also notice that many major corporations have added the pink ribbon to their labels. So if you see an item whether it be food or clothing that has a pink ribbon on the box or the tag, chances are if you purchase the item a portion of the proceeds will go to support the cause. We have come a long way in trying to find a cure. Lots of improvements have been made but we are not there yet. October is breast cancer awareness month. Do your part and support the cause today. Written by Rita Harmon. Courtesy of ezinerticles.com
Spooktacular Halloween Musicals
If you are looking for a musical to produce or to see in celebration of Halloween, here are a few suggestions. Some are funny and some are serious, some are well known and some are off the beaten path, but all embody the spirit of Halloween!
death, the spectators get to vote on who murdered Edwin Drood, and the show has multiple endings depending on the whim of the audience.
Bat Boy One of the most overlooked Halloween characters is the humble bat, but, when a half-bat/half-human boy is discovered in a cave near a small town, the bat is celebrated. Based on stories made popular in tabloid newspapers, Bat Boy is the perfect combination of humor and melodrama. And, the score is fantastic!
Ruthless It's always good fun to watch an evil little girl get her way via homicide, and this cynical musical parody of The Bad Seed is no exception. This time, little Tina Denmark commits murder to get the leading role in her elementary school production of Pippi Longstocking. As the plot veers beyond The Bad Seed into Gypsy and All About Eve territory, mother and daughter compete for stardom, and the story spirals into an outrageously satisfying climax.
Brenda Bly, Teen Detective Scooby Doo meets Nancy Drew as teenaged gumshoe, Brenda Bly, uses her wits to solve the mystery of who is trying to sabotage the school musical. The show features 50's style tunes that audiences will love and, not only does Brenda Bly solve the mystery and capture the villain, but she also finds love along the way.
Sweeney Todd Stephen Sondheim is one of the titans of American musical theatre and the award-winning Sweeney Todd is his most chilling work, telling the story of a homicidal barber and his meat piemaking accomplice. It's appropriately dark and grisly for Halloween and will provide your audience with a truly spine-tingling experience.
Dracula: The Musical? Fans of cheesy comedy, goofy puns, and overthe-top slapstick will love Dracula: The Musical? It's a silly musical farce based on the classic Dracula story and, if you can turn off your brain, sit back, enjoy the ride, and have an entertaining Halloween evening.
Side Show "Come look at the freaks!" is the siren call of the sideshow performers at the carnival where conjoined twins, Daisy and Violet live and find love. It's a shocking story of cynicism, manipulation, and narrow-mindedness, but ultimately there is something inspiring and poignant about the twins and their hopes and dreams.
Halloween Hullabaloo Overweight vampires, depressed pumpkins, and an insecure monster are featured in this hilarious, fast-paced Halloween musical revue for adults. It has a Saturday Night Live/Laugh-In feeling and is chock full of brilliantly satirical skits and original songs about Halloween. Little Shop of Horrors Little Shop of Horrors is a musical parody of 1950's sci-fi movies that has delighted audiences across the country since 1982. In addition to fantastic rockin' tunes, it features a gory plot where a clueless skid row floral assistant raises a plant by feeding it human blood. Mystery of Edwin Drood It's not just a Charles Dickens novel; it's also a skillfully written musical theatre piece inspired by British music halls and pantomimes. And because Dickens left the novel unfinished at the time of his
Threepenny Opera If you like Brechtian drama and the music of Kurt Weill, you will love the dark drama of Threepenny Opera. With a score featuring the now-popular song "Mack the Knife" and a recounting of the wrongdoings of the infamous outlaw and womanizer Macheath, the show challenges the audience's preconceptions about good vs. evil. And if that's not enough for you, there are tons of other options like: Clue: The Musical, Evil Dead, Ghost, Jekyll & Hyde, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Lucky Stiff, The Phantom of the Opera, The Rocky Horror Show, The Toxic Avenger, Wicked, Young Frankenstein, and Zombie Prom.
Written by Jennifer Winegardner. Courtesy of ezinearticles.com
Saving Lives Through Breast Cancer Awareness The insidiousness of breast cancer is without parallel - affecting over a million people a year worldwide and claiming the lives of women at a rate second only to lung cancer. As women battle for their lives on a daily basis, a grassroots movement to educate the women of the world continues to surge. Those who are affected by breast cancer know that recovery stems from early detection and proper treatment; and in order to detect symptoms and find effective treatment, women need to have access to up-to-date information; thus evolved the promotion of breast cancer awareness. Breast cancer awareness encompasses the education and empowerment of women and men worldwide and encourages them to act as advocates for their own care; it includes a comprehensive plan for focusing on the whole person and the many ways in which breast cancer and prevention can be approached. One of the first components of raising breast cancer awareness includes awareness of education, literacy, and research. There is so much research being done on a daily basis to further the cause of treatment and to one day find a permanent cure. In order for patients and families to feel connected to the process, they must be kept informed as to what advancements have been made. The breast cancer awareness campaign works to make sufferers and families aware of the places in which to find comprehensive information. In today's age of technology, most people find their information via the Internet; there are a host of reputable and valuable websites that provide a wealth of continually updated information. Prevention is a large part of awareness and part of the work of the campaign is to make people aware of the ways in which they can prevent breast cancer. This includes making people aware of up-to-date information regarding diet and exercise, as well as the effects of other lifestyle and environmental stressors on the possibility of getting this cancer. Most importantly, awareness focuses on the importance of screening for early detection so that treatment options are immediately available to increase the chance of survival and ongoing health. Doctors recommend screenings from 35 years of age and up; more than 50% of diagnosed cases of breast cancer are found in women over the age of fifty. Such screenings include routine gynecological examinations, mammograms, breast ultrasound and, most importantly, breast self-examination. Spreading the message of screenings is especially important in low-income areas where women tend to avoid medical care because of the cost. Of course, breast cancer awareness also includes knowing where to turn for treatment and what that treatment may entail. In the spirit of providing people with accurate and up-to-date information, many of the websites and other informational centers that feature educational resources, will also include comprehensive information regarding treatment options. This is vitally important for people struggling to make choices regarding their health. But one of the most important aspects of awareness is reminding the people that are engrossed in the fight that they are a part of a larger community where they can find support and camaraderie. Breast cancer awareness saves people's lives. It can be the bridge from people - to information. And for those who are faced with a frightening diagnosis and unsure of where to turn, the information imparted through the awareness campaign can be a beacon of hope. Written byRiley Henderson. Courtesy of ezinearticles.com
Carving Pumpkins
Every year at Halloween, jack-o-lanterns are everywhere. On doorsteps, on window sills, hanging as paper on walls, even as plastic candy collectors for trick-or-treaters. You can easily find them in department stores, restaurants and even along public streets. They are an absolute part of Halloween. Many things have changed over the hundreds of years since jack-o-lanterns were first brought to America. The pumpkin is no longer always a real pumpkin. As a matter of fact, artificial jack-o-lanterns are much more common these days than real ones, and it's been that way for many years. As usual in our increasingly sedentary lifestyle, we'd rather buy it than make it. But there are those out there who wouldn't have it any other way. It's got to be a real pumpkin or nothing at all.
So let's make a jack-o-lantern from the twenty-first century. Not the traditional method where all you use are your hands, a couple of knives and maybe a drawing tool. This is the jack-o-lantern that could look like a haunted house, a grave yard, a witch on a broomstick or bats flying through the air, almost any image that can be carved onto the face of a pumpkin. You'll need to gather a few things: the right kind of pumpkin, the stenciled image you want and a handful of simple tools. Once you've completely finished carving the jack-o-lantern, all you'll need is the right lighting. The Right Kind of Pumpkin. To help get a pumpkin of the right size and shape, you should already know what you want the carving to look like when you're done. Medium sized pumpkins are the most popular for jack-o-lanterns. It may be short and squat or tall and narrow, depending on the image to carve. Whichever you decide, make sure that it has a uniform color throughout. The bottom of the pumpkin should be flattened so that it'll stand upright. Inspect your pumpkin for injuries. These are pumpkins with bruising, scratches, gouges, dents or damage of any kind. These deformities will affect how you carve and how pleasing you're jack-o-lantern will appear when you're done. Safety Tip. The stem of a pumpkin can easily break off. Never carry your pumpkin by the stem. If it does break off, use toothpicks or a similarly narrow shaft to hold the stem in place. Modern Day Carving Tools. The carving tools for a modern day jack-o-lantern are very simple. Most of them you can get yourself right at home. ª Pumpkin Carving Patterns. These are stencils, or templates, of images that you could get on the internet. If not, there are booklets or books available at arts and crafts stores, specialty stores or even in a library. Or you could create a stencil from a drawing of your own. ª Transfer tool or poker tool. This tool is used to transfer the image from the stencil to the pumpkin's face. You could use the tip of any sharp tool, an ice pick, a nail or even a sharpened pencil or a pen. ª Securing the Image. You can use pins, tacks or even tape to hold the stenciled image in the exact place you want. ª Two knives. One long, thin bladed knife and one short, thin bladed knife. You can easily get these in your kitchen.
Safety Tip. Sharp knives are safer than dull knives, because dull knives will force you to exert extra force or extra leverage to make clean cuts. Sharpen your knives before you begin carving. The moment it seems like you have to use more force, it's time to resharpen them. Be careful not to assume that your knives will always stay sharp. ÂŞ Carving saw or cutting saw. A carving saw is mainly for cutting out fine details that would be difficult to do with a knife. But if you'd prefer, you surely could carve the entire jack-o-lantern this way. ÂŞ Gutting spoons. These are for removing all of the soft flesh from the inside of the pumpkin. Ice cream scoops or thick ladles are great. Any large sturdy spoon or scoop will do. Twenty-first Century Jack-o-Lantern Carving. The first thing is to carve the lid. Use the long knife to cut a pentagon or a hexagon around the stem. As you cut into the top of the pumpkin, make your cuts angle towards each other beneath the stem. You are effectively cutting a cone shaped chunk out of the top of the pumpkin. This keeps the lid from falling in. Your hand and some of your forearm should be able to pass easily through with a utensil. Remove the lid. Now get in there with your gutting spoon and scrape all that soft flesh out. Be thorough. When the jack-o-lantern is burning bright, you want to know that the candle inside is secure in its setting. Make the floor inside of the pumpkin firm and flat. If you give the pumpkin a little smack on its side, the candle shouldn't move from its position. You'll know what to do. The easiest place to put the face of your jack-o-lantern is the flattest section on the outside of the pumpkin. Select the stencil for the image you want and place it there. Secure it with pins or tape. If you're using tape and have to crease the paper, try to do it in a section where there will be the least distortion. Use the transfer tool to poke holes along the lines of your image. Puncture through the image and into the pumpkin's skin just a bit. It isn't necessary to make deep punctures. These holes should be from an eighth to a fourth of an inch spaced apart. In areas where you may be unsure when carving, add some extra dots. The more the dots, the easier the carving. It's all up to you. When you're completely done transferring, inspect the dotted outline. Save the stencil in case you need it for clarification while you're carving.
Take the carving saw and connect those dots. Make sure that the saw is cutting straight into the pumpkin and not at an angle. Remember to use a back-and-forth sawing motion. Don't use it as a knife. Saw all the way through to the inside open space of the pumpkin. For tight corners, remove the saw and reinsert it where the lines connect. If you have pretty large chunks to remove, you could easily cut them into smaller sections and have them fall off, one after the other. Push the cut pieces with your finger into or out of the pumpkin, whichever is smoothest. Trim up the edges with your small knife or carving saw. More light will come through the pumpkin if these edges are trimmed at a 45 degree angle or thereabouts. This is great if additional lighting will compliment the image you've just carved.
You are done. Now how can you make your jack-o-lantern last longest? Take some petroleum jelly and coat every exposed surface, everything left after a cut. This will include the entire inside surface of the pumpkin, too. Dehydration is the enemy. Any sign of wrinkling or shriveling can be helped by soaking the pumpkin in water over night. Natural decomposition can be slowed greatly by refrigerating it during the day. This is a bit of work for every jack-o-lantern you make, so try not to carve your jack-o-lanterns too early from when you'll be using them. Wasn't that fun? Making jack-o-lanterns sure is fun for me. In this day, almost any image could be found on the face of a pumpkin. It just depends on how creative you want to be. Go forth and broaden your mind. Happy Halloween! Written by Len Q. Courtesy of ezinearticles.com,
50 Fun Halloween Facts
1. Halloween is held on October 31st which is the last day of the Celtic calendar. 2. The Halloween custom has evolved from the ancient Celts belief that the border between this world and "the Otherworld" becomes thin on AllHallows-Eve. People wore costumes to disguise themselves and avoid harm. 3. The day after Halloween is called All Saints Day. Christians dedicate this day to all those saints who don't have a special day of their own. 4. All hallows is another way to say all saints. AllHallows-Eve means the night before All-Saints Day. 5. The first evidence of the use of the word Halloween comes from Scotland in the early 16th century. It was slang for All-Hallows-Eve. 6. The colors orange and black represent Halloween because orange is the color of pumpkins (and autumn) and black is associated with death. 7. The tradition of carving a jack o' lantern started in the United Kingdom. They were carved on All Hallows Eve and left on the door step to ward off evil spirits. 8. The original jack o' lanterns were carved from a swede or a turnip. 9. Jack o' lanterns were named after the phenomenon of strange light flickering over peat bogs. 10. Carving gourds into elaborately decorated lanterns dates back thousands of years to Africa. They were intentionally brought to the New World via prehistoric migration through Asia. 11. A record for the most simultaneously lit jack o' lanterns was set on October 21, 2006 when 30,128 jack-o'-lanterns were simultaneously lit on Boston Common. 12. The world's largest jack o' lantern was carved from the world's largest pumpkin (at the time) on October 31, 2005 in Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States by Scott Cully. The pumpkin weighed 1,469 lb (666.33 kg), 13. Today the record for the world's largest pumpkin is held by Nick and Kristy Harp whose pumpkin weighed in at 1,725 lbs (782.45 kg). 14. Trick-or-treating is the Halloween custom where children dressed in costume go door to door asking for candy with the question, "trick or treat?" The "trick" is a (usually idle) threat to perform mischief on the home-owners or their property if no treat is given. 15. Many people believe, trick or treating evolved from the Middle Ages custom of giving freshly baked soul cakes to children who went door to door on All-Hallows-Eve offering prayers.
6. It was believed that each soul cake eaten represented a soul being freed from purgatory. 17. In Sweden, children dress up as witches and go trickor-treating on Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter). 18. In Northern Germany, Norway and Southern Denmark children dress up in costumes and go trick-ortreating on New Year's Eve in a tradition called"Rummelpott". 19. In Scotland, children are only supposed to receive treats if they perform tricks for the households they go to. This normally takes the form of singing a song or reciting a funny poem. 20. For a number of years (in the late 19th century and early 20th century) Halloween in the U.S became synonymous with vandalism. 21. In 1912, Boy Scout clubs and other community organizations came together to encourage a safe Halloween celebration. School posters at this time called for a "Sane Halloween". 22. In an effort to prevent damage to their properties, householders began to offer children treats if they promised not to play "tricks". 23. By the end of the 1930's trick or treating had become widespread. 24. Research done by the U.S National Confectioners association in 2005 revealed that 80% of adults and 93% of children went trick or treating on Halloween. 25. The first screen depiction of Trick or Treating was in Disney's cartoon, "Trick or Treating". In this cartoon Huey, Duey and Louie try to trick their Uncle, Donald Duck into giving them candy. 26. In 1964 a New York housewife annoyed by Halloween started giving out packages of inedible objects to children whom she believed were too old to be trick-or-treating. The packages contained items such as steel wool, dog biscuits and ant buttons (which were clearly labelled with the word "poison"). Though nobody was injured, she was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to endangering children. 27. In 1970, the New York Times published an article that claimed that "those Halloween goodies that children collect this weekend on their rounds of 'trick or treating' may bring them more horror than happiness". It provided examples of potential tampering. The examples were speculative but led to a ground swell of fear. 28. By the 1980s, US and Canadian parents fear that trick or treating children could eat compromised candy reached a peak. In 1985, an ABC News/Washington Post poll that found 60% of parents feared that their children would be injured or killed because of Halloween candy sabotage. 29. Apart from one incident-actually an act of premeditated murder by a trick-or-treater's father-there have been no recorded incidents of malicious and deliberate tampering of candy during Halloween. 30. In 1970, a 5-year-old boy from the Detroit area found and ate heroin his uncle had stashed. The boy died
following a four day coma. The family attempted to protect the uncle by claiming the drug had been sprinkled in the child's Halloween candy. 31. In 2008, candy was found with metal shavings and metal blades embedded in it. The candy was Pokemon Valentine's Day lollipops purchased from a Dollar General store in Polk County, Florida. The candy was determined to have been manufactured in China with faulty equipment. 32. In the U.S, Halloween accounts for 25% of the year's candy sales. 33. In the U.S, nearly $2 billion is spent each year on Halloween candy. 34. Candy corn is the most popular Halloween candy. 35. Candy corn was created by the U.S Wunderlee Candy company in the 1880's. 36. Snickers bars are the most popular candy bar sold on Halloween. 37. Snickers bars were created in 1930 by the Mars family. They named it after their family horse. 38. Research conducted by the U.S National Retail Federation found that in 2005 - 53% of Americans bought a Halloween costume, spending an average of $38. 39. The first mass produced Halloween costumes appeared in the 1930's in the U.S. 40. Originally Halloween costumes were scary characters like vampires, ghosts, skeletons, witches and devils. 41. Today, Halloween costumes are often inspired by science fiction, television, cinema, cartoons and pop culture. 42. According to the U.S National Retail Federation the most popular Halloween costume themes for adults are, in order: witch, pirate, vampire, cat, and clown. 43. In 2009, the most popular Halloween character for Adults and Children was Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009. 44. In 1966, The TV series Batman was so popular, a fabric company issued patterns for costumes. 45. Apple bobbing is a traditional Halloween game. The game is played by filling a tub or a large basin with water and putting apples in the water. Because apples are less dense than water, they will float. Players then try to catch one with their teeth. 46. Apple bobbing is becoming less popular, possibly because more and more people regard it as unsanitary. 47. Girls who place the apple they bobbed under their pillows are said to dream of their future lover. 48. On 19 February, 2008, New Yorker, Ashrita Furman, bobbed 33 apples in one minute to establish a world record. 49. Agatha Christie's mystery novel, "Hallowe'en Party" is about a girl who is drowned in an apple-bobbing tub. 50. New York City hosts the United States' largest Halloween celebration, known as The Village Halloween Parade. The evening parade attracts over two million spectators and participants. Written by Sherry Goodrich. Courtesy of ezinearticles.com.
Products To Love In October Show your support for your loved one. Customizable with their name this Susan G. Komen shirt helps support Breast Cancer research. Practical, basic t-shirt that can be layered or worn alone. You can never have too many of these versatile shirts in your closet - just toss one on and go. 6.1 oz 100% cotton jersey, Screen printed logo, Seamless rib collar, Doubleneedle cover stitching, Crew neck Please click here for more information.
CARVE TOGETHER™! From the First Family of pumpkin carving kits--the Bardeens. A family tradition since 1943. Designed by the Bardeen siblings with a combined 340 years of pumpkin carving experience! 18 High Quality Tools: 10 Teflon®-coated Saws, 3 Drills (1/4", 3/8", 1/2"), 3 steel-tipped Pokers, 2 Scoops (regular & jumbo).16 fun patterns. Informative carving tips from a master carver with 63 years experience. MADE IN AMERICA! Tools, patterns & tips in a sturdy, locking box. Caution: Sharp tools included--Adult supervision required. Free pattern & carving tips at GrampaBardeen.com Please click here for more information.
These colorful classics have been a favorite for years! Each candy corn kernel has a soft and chewy texture and a deliciously sweet taste, making them the perfect candy to add to your fall harvest basket. Hoosier Hill Farm is located in America's heartland of northeast Indiana. Our products and ingredients are guaranteed fresh and we are proud of our heritage and good, oldfashioned values! Please click here for more information.
DIY Project - October DIY PREPPY PUMPKIN What You Will Need: • • • • • •
Ribbon black paint sharpie (black) buttons (preferably black) hot glue gun & Sticks Scissors
DIRECTIONS: 1) Write a word/phrase across your pumpkin. 2) Use hot glue gun to glue buttons on top of the word/ phrase. 3) Paint the stem black (optional if you choose not to skip step. 4) Wait for the paint to dry. 5) Cut ribbon the length of the pumpkin 6) Tie it in a bow around the stem. Secure to the pumpkin with some hot glue.
Courtesy of pompandcircumstanceevents.com
A jack-o'-lantern (or jack o'lantern) is a carved pumpkin or turnip lantern, associated with the holiday of Halloween and named after the phenomenon of a strange light flickering over peat bogs, called will-o'-the-wisp or jack-o'-lantern. In a jack-o'-lantern, the top of the pumpkin or turnip is cut off to form a lid, the inside flesh is scooped out, and an image - usually a monstrous or comical face - is carved out of the rind to expose the hollow interior. To create the lantern effect, a light source is placed within before the lid is closed. The light source is traditionally a flame such as a candle or tea light, but artificial jack-'o-lanterns with electric lights are also marketed. It is common to see jack-o'-lanterns on doorsteps and otherwise used as decorations prior to and on Halloween. The term jack-o'-lantern was originally used to describe the visual phenomenon ignis fatuus (lit., "foolish fire") known as a will-o'-the-wisp in English folklore. Used especially in East England, its earliest known use dates to the 1660s. The term "will-o'-the-wisp" uses "wisp" (a bundle of sticks or paper sometimes used as a torch) and the proper name "Will": thus, "Will-of-the-torch." The term jack-o'-lantern is of the same construction: "Jack of [the] lantern." It is believed that the custom of making jack-o'-lanterns at Halloween began in Ireland. In the 19th century, "turnips or mangel wurzels, hollowed out to act as lanterns and often carved with grotesque faces," were used at Halloween in parts of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands. In these Celtic-speaking regions, Halloween was also the festival of Samhain and was seen as a time when supernatural beings, and the souls of the dead, roamed the earth. The belief that the souls of the dead roamed the earth at Halloween was also found in other parts of Europe. Jack-o'-lanterns were also made at Halloween in Somerset during the 19th century.
Visit My Website
Donnie Worley
Search The MLS
423-943-0045 423-247-8326 www.ateampros.com/ DonnieWorley@ATeamPros.com
Ask Me A Question