Monday, October 18, 2010

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!  :) 

13 comments:

Sharon said...

That sure does sound easy and yummy.
I copied down the recipe and sure am going to try it.
Love the pumpkins. Do they not have halloween in China?
The pumpkin carvers did a great job.
Thanks for sharing

The Farmers Oldest Daughter said...

I make that dessert to and we love it. I put lemon pudding in it sometimes and that is good too.

The kids looked like they had a good time. Luke is learning so fast.

Blessings♥
Maxine

At Home With Amy said...

The kids look like they are having a lot of fun. Luke not so much maybe. That is so sad that his pumpkin scared him a bit. I'm sure he will get over that as he gets older. Your dessert sounds yummy (minus the nuts). Glad to hear Jason had a nice birthday.
Blessings,
AMY

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

so happy to hear that your "orphan" posts are making a difference...love the pumpkins you carved and love that door/table thing you have in the corner with your fall goodies..I am hoping you should be getting mine soon..and more to add.:)

basketsnprims said...

Hi, Tammy ~ thanks for sharing such great pics. Amber is a real pro! I love both pumpkins and Luke gets cuter by the day. I've been making that dessert for yrs ~ so delicious and simple. Have a great week.
hugs ~
Pam

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

OH now you made my eyes leak! I am so happy you told us about Molly! WOOHOO!!!!!! May she and her new family be richly blessed!

We always carved pumpinks at home and I did them in my school too. We called it 'guts' too! LOL The kids came out great!

So nice tro hear Jason enjoyed his Happy Day Day!!

HUGS!

Sheila said...

What a fun evening it must have been for the kids. It was always a favorite and still is with my grown children and grandsons now! How great for Molly-that sure made my heart sing!
Hubbys favorite is a big favorite in our family made the same ways with one addition-I add Toffee Bits on top!!!!
Blessings to you all.
~Sheila
seasonsofthyheart.blogspot.com

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Pumpkin carving is an ages old family tradition. Your kids look like they are very intent on making jack-o-lanterns out of those pumpkins. I think they turned out awesome! Is Luke scared of any of the other decorations? Just curious. Mya doesn't really pay much attention to them. I think Christmas will be better this year. She will be 5 on January 25.
★Linda★

TK said...

That is one of my favorite desserts. But we called it "chocolate delight." At our little country church way back when, our pastor used to practically beg someone to bring it at each potluck.
I like it with vanilla pudding so I like "Vanilla delight"
Our local pecan shop sells pecan mill, which is very finely ground pecans which make this crust excellent.
I'm going to have to make me some now!

Hollie said...

I'm new to your blog. Happy late birthday to Jason! My son's name is Colt also. Cute pumpkins! Oh my that recipe sounds heavenly! Thanks for sharing! I love your primitive decor. It is so beautiful!

horse loving lineman's wife said...

Happy (belated) Birthday to your husband! And, the pumpkins looked so fun!! Thinking about Luke say "yucky" was funny. I don't either like scary Halloween, I'm more about the candy! What will Luke be for Halloween?

Annie said...

Yum!!! That sounds good! Those pumpkins look great! Last year we waited too late to get a pumpkin, to be able to carve it. I am motivated now to go get that pumpkin and start carving!!! So glad little Molly has a family:)

Farmchick said...

Looks like they were really concentrating on their carving! I make that same dessert...I even have it posted on my blog. ;) Hope you can stop by soon for a visit....oh and Happy Birthday to your hubby! Hope he had a great day. :)