Saturday, October 23, 2021

Our Pumpkin Misadventure!

Who knew Louis Dean would enjoy The Great Pumpkin Project so much??
It's an Instagram group committed to putting the fun back in Halloween by leaving a carved jack 'o lantern in a spot hoping someone will see it and be surprised and smile.

A friend of mine carves a pumpkin for all 31 nights - and this is her third year to do so!
She is amazing in everything she does!

My original plan was to do two pumpkins total - one on Wednesday and the other on Thursday.
Except I did not expect Louis Dean of getting such a kick of the project! 


Thursday he wanted to draw the design.......
and then he hovered as I cut it out making sure I did it right!

He was so excited that he couldn't wait to take it to 'Sleepy Hollow.'


That's our nickname for this rustic gravel road that curves down into a tiny hollow and over a creek below. It was 6:23 when we turned on the road and the sun was not due to set for nearly 20 more minutes. We meandered a little while searching out another spot for Friday's Jack since we had already gone to town and bought another pumpkin.

We came back to the ranch and, once it was dark, Louis Dean decided we should go back and see our little buddy shine. Off we went and we were so disappointed! No light glowed!
LD used a solar light from the yard and apparently it had not charged well.
No worries!!!


We went back to the ranch and retrieved the Ranch Jack!
Louis Dean had recharged the solar light earlier that day so it was burning brightly.


It was really dark by now.....


It's straight road driving and next to no traffic ( we saw two cars the whole time we were out) so we went back and replaced the new Jack with the one from the ranch gate post.


And we put the new one in its place  - WITH a freshly charged solaer light in it!
Win! WIN!!

By the way, Dean did notice the pumpkin when he came home Wednesday night!
He stopped by to visit a few minutes before going on down to the house.
I knew it would make him smile!

I woke up this morning and went out to the front room to get coffee and found a note from Louis Dean.
He had gone to Home Depot. 
On his way back, he stoppped to retrieve the light inside the Jack so he could recharge it during the day.


What we did tonight was switch the pumpkin from one side of the road to the other side and up away  from the curve.


It will be perfectly seen off to the side and you come around that bend.


Then we went on to drop off tonight's pumpkin!


He's at the corner of Walt's Road and the paved road. Set off to the side, I think it will be visible to oncoming traffic and anyone turning will certainly see it.

By the time we were finished with him, it was starting to get dark......
so we drove back down the 'Sleepy Hollow' road to get a pic.


This guy looks different in the dark!

So tonight, we have three glowing Jack 'o lanterns!
The one at the gate will greet Crystal (Sherry's daughter) as she arrives to spend the weekend.


Our campfire from earlier this evening....

In the morning we will be heading to the Guest Ranch in El Dorado, Arkansas.
We'll get the solar lights from all the pumpkins and leave LED tea lights in their place.
I'm taking my knives and such so we can continue this project there.
I'm thinking Rayne will enjoy doing this with us!

You're never too old to have some fun!
And we are doing just that!




21 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is so cool! And with Louis Dean as your carving partner, who knows how many more you can set out!

Kathy said...

This is a fun idea. Love how each one is just a little different.

Hootin Anni said...

Excellent!!! I'm having as much fun viewing as you two are having with carving!!!

Bluebird49 said...

Like everyone else, I am smiling at the fun you all are having! This is such a fun idea and I know the people seeing them are having a warm surprise, too. I'm glad Louis is having just as much fun as you - that makes it twice the fun.
Can't wait to hear about the fun you have in Arkansas. You cheer me up with your posts!
Love you!

Jan said...

Sounds like a fun thing to do. Have fun in Arkansas

Sharon Larson said...

When you hear the word FUN, Linda and Louis Dean come to my mind first. I had not heard of your pumpkin escapade. I will definitely had to plan for this next year.

Safe travels to and from Arkansas. Have fun!

Blessings,
Shari

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

These are just too much fun, especially when it's so dark in the places you're putting them. Well, have fun this weekend. I was born in El Dorado...say hello to all my 'kin'! heheeheee! Have fun!

Changes in the wind said...

What fun the two of you are having and spreading wonderful joy. Enjoy your time at the Dude ranch and Rayne will love it.

peggy said...

Linda, this is so cool, you will start a trend. Be sure to save those stems and dry them out, some of those sell for 3.00 each online. Or you could just make velvet pumpkins like we did this year.

Eva said...

LD is having fun! Keep showing us pictures of your creations!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

What a great idea to spread some SMILES with the pumpkins. They can be a lot of fun for sure ! Hope you have a good trip and enjoy your time there and maybe spread some more SMILES!

Vick said...

Do wish I lived nearby so I could enjoy these perfectly carved sweet glowing pumpkins. Looking forward to your pics from Arkansas.

Luann said...

I love this pumpkin idea. I may have to go get a couple myself and surprise some folks!

NanaDiana said...

OMGOSH- What a great and fun idea. Yours are wonderful!!!!

I think I need to do that and put it up along the fence out behind the condo. That should cause a few raised eyebrows. lol.

Have a wonderful weekend- xo Diana

obscure said...

I love that!!!

photowannabe said...

You two win the prize for "Fun-ness" I know its a made up word but think it fits you to a T.
Love all of your pumpkins and know Rayne will have fun doing your project at the Dude Ranch,
Have a ball and can't wait to read all about it.

Sue of photowannabe
https://allredmop.blogspot.com

MadSnapper said...

this is great he loves it too, fun things to do together, bob and i are both fuddy duddys together. i love the way they look at night.. if I were doing it i would buy the dollar ones from dollar tree, and put the dollar tree lights in them, cheap and easy.... great idea...

Wanda said...

You kids just make me smile!! Age is truly just a number. I may look 80, but I'm enjoying my life, like it was in it's PRIME!! I love the fun you too have together...what a role model of a great marriage, friendship and buddy!!
Love and Hugs to you two Pumpkin Carvers..HaHa. Love it.

Carole said...

What great fun! Cheers

Robin from P'ville said...

Love you folks spirit.

Melissa Y said...

The Jacks all look great!