This weekend, I had both a craving for roasted pumpkin seeds and a need to support my favorite Presidential candidate in a creative way. So I killed two birds with one stone. First the seeds:
I took the yeild from one pumpkin, which was 2 cups, after sorting out all the gunk. I mixed them with 2 1/2 tablespoons of butter, a 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Then I roasted them on a cookie sheet in a 300 degree oven for 45 minutes. The result? Delicousness.
Then I took my empty pumpkin and a print out from the website Yes We Carve. I chose the simple design and went to town. Now there is no doubt that when you come to my back door, you’re arriving at the home of an Obama supporter:
That is unless you are the two people who came over on Saturday for game night who thought I just put a random design in the pumpkin, or the two people who thought I was being funny by carving a pumpkin shape into a pumpkin, or if you’re the one other person who came over and didn’t even see the pumpkin at all. What can I say, my local friends, they just don’t follow political campaigns and logos like I do. But maybe after I explained my masterpiece to them, they’ll think about heading out to their local polling place on November 4th!
And in other news of the weekend, I had yet another swim meet that went swimmingly. I didn’t get 1st in my one competitive race, I got 2nd by 20 seconds. But I’m going to blame that on the fact that the girl who won is a better swimmer. Also, the meet was super small, and at the last minute they changed the 500 freestyle from two heats to one heat, so after thinking I had about eight minutes before my swim, I had to hop right in. And almost as soon as I finished that race, it was time for the next one. In fact, the race got through almost 20 events in just about two hours, so almost every warm-down from the race before was actually a warm-up for the race afterward, and I almost died by the time I got to my last event because it was go, go go! We didn’t get medals OR ribbons, but instead the meet directors gave us these cool certificates that they decorated for the holiday. I additionally decorated mine using Gimp:
I like this better than my college diploma.
All in all, another fine weekend under my belt.
Posted by The Modern Gal on October 27, 2008 at 11:44 am
I think you should hang your certificate near your pumpkin because it’s so festive. Congrats on surviving what sounds like an exhausting day of races.
Posted by Erica on October 27, 2008 at 11:52 am
I love roasted pumpkin seeds! They look great. I don’t think I’ll carve a pumpkin this year, seeing as my basement apt. door opens to the backyard.
Posted by Amy on October 27, 2008 at 11:59 am
I was just considering whether I’d carve a Barack-o-lantern or a regular pumpkin tonight–I feared my lack of crafty skills would result in utter fail, even with a stencil. Yours looks great, tho.
Posted by -R- on October 27, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I love New York, with its crazy old-timey words like Knickerbockers and now its Leatherstocking.
Congrats on doing well in all your races! The 1000 free sounds like a hard race at the end of a meet.
Posted by Dutchess of Kickball on October 27, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Woah, that is the Longest Consecutive Running US Masters Swim Meet! They should get a medal, not you.
Posted by nancypearlwannabe on October 27, 2008 at 12:11 pm
The Leatherstocking region! Ahh, my old nemesis.
I love your Obama pumpkin and I wish I had seen that website before we had a carving party. I totally would have made the most politically smashable pumpkin ever!
Posted by Allie on October 27, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I love your Obama pumpkin! I was thinking of carving one, but I’m going to be in OH for Halloween.
Yay for all your firsts!
Posted by stefanie on October 27, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Barack o’ Lanterns! I love it!
Also, I think the other girl being a better swimmer is totally a fair reason you came in 2nd. But look at all those first place slots! Well done, my friend.
Posted by courtney on October 27, 2008 at 2:34 pm
FOUR GOLD MEDALS! That brings your total to, what, 11?
Posted by cadiz12 on October 27, 2008 at 5:25 pm
congrats on the meet!
great job 0n that pumpkin. man, i thought i was being cool buying a fake “funkin” this year, but now that i got a look at those yummy seeds, i really want to carve the real thing instead.
Posted by Aaron on October 27, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Aw, damn, love that jack! I wish I had done that. Actually, Halloween isn’t until Friday! Sweet! Where’s my knife?…
Posted by Dingo on October 27, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I was debating whether or not to carve a punkin this year but your punkin (and the seeds!) sealed the deal! Love it.
Your swim meet summary made me tired. I’m going to go lie down.
Posted by dan on October 27, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I used to just chuck the seeds/guts but whilst I carved, my wife sorted the seeds/guts and she baked the seeds as well last night. Mmm
Posted by Kyla Bea on October 27, 2008 at 11:42 pm
I love the pumpkin carving action over there! And good work on the swim meet, I like the certificate. It’s like getting a gold star, huh?
I’d probably be way more motivated at work if I got those lol
Posted by apollocreed on October 28, 2008 at 10:20 am
That pumpkin is awesome. I might have to do the same thing.
Posted by Ashley on October 28, 2008 at 1:16 pm
LOVE the pumpkin!!!
Posted by Man Of Action on October 28, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Congratulations on your swim meet.
Posted by Kristabella on October 28, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Congrats! I can’t believe you swam all those other races and THEN the marathon 1000 free! You’re awesome!
Also? I heart your pumpkin.
Posted by andrea on October 29, 2008 at 4:21 pm
1. I’m going to use your directions to roast the pumpkin seeds because oh my do I love me some pumpkin seeds.
2. OH MY GOD I LOVE THE PUMPKIN! Yes, all caps were necessary. I will be heading over to that website for some carving ideas.
Posted by andrea on October 29, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Oh and
3. Nice job on the swim meet!
Posted by Vanessa on November 1, 2008 at 1:10 pm
That pumpkin rocks! Congrats on the swim meet too!
Posted by rdl on November 1, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Love your pumpkin!!