Pumpkin Carving and a Favorite Recipe

Friday night, Colt and his girlfriend, Amber, brought home a couple of pumpkins and carving kits, one for them and one for Joy and Luke.  They set to work carving their pumpkins out on the sunporch while I worked nearby in the kitchen on Jason's birthday dinner dessert.

It was very obvious that our family is not very experienced with pumpkin carving.  :)  However, Amber was a pro.  Colt was Amber's assistant. 

Luke wasn't interested, except for being in the middle of the mess (being a little brother).  Joy stepped into unknown territory, and ploughed right into carving hers....

....with a little help from Colt in cleaning out the guts (as she called it and didn't care for that part). 

She actually did a great job though.

Pumpkin carving is a mess thing, isn't it?

And not exactly done really quickly, either.

Amber and Colt finished their's first.  Their pattern was a very intricate design.......see the owl?  I was impressed.

Joy's took a little longer, but she stuck with it to the end until her little pumpkin guy was completed.  He's got a cute little goofy face, don't you think?

We added "Zero" to the sunporch potting bench.  Luke is a little scared of him and says, "Yucky, yucky."  :)

I talked Amber into taking their's home for her family to enjoy.  

Thank you Colt and Amber for the evening of pumpkin carving and for thinking of Joy and Luke too.

By the time they finished, I had Jason's dessert of choice for his birthday dinner (on Saturday) completed.  This is an all time favorite of his, and so easy.  I thought I'd share the recipe.  I didn't think to take a picture of it and it was all gone by Saturday afternoon.  lol!  But here's the recipe:

4-Layer Delight

First Layer:

1 cup flour
a stick butter
1/2 cup pecans (I use pecan pieces)
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Second Layer:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup Cool Whip
1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese (softened)

Third layer:

2 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding (could use other flavors I suppose if you wanted).
3 cups milk

Fourth layer:

Large ctn. Cool Whip (I use the rest of what wasn't used above).
Pecan pieces (sprinkled on top)

Mix together first layer and press in bottom of 9 x 13 inch pan.  (I spray mine with a little Pam first).  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes (sometimes it takes just a bit longer until it starts to brown a little....not too much around the edges).

I mix all the other layers in separate bowls while this first layer is in the oven.  Then after the first layer comes out of the oven, let it cool a bit.  Then add the second layer over the crust.  Add third layer over the second layer.  And add fourth layer on top of third layer.  Refrigerate.  (Best if made the night before and sits in the refrigerator overnight).  Enjoy  :)

********************************************************************

Thanks so much for stopping by!  And thank you for the birthday wishes for Jason (he thanks you too). Luke enjoyed singing, "Happy Day Day to You" (many times).  :)

 I've also been meaning to tell you that the little girl, Molly, that I featured on my blog, has found a family!  (There were actually several families interested in her!)  That's one less orphan and one blessed family and little girl!  Now I hope Bart finds his family soon too!

Have a wonderful week!  :)