Happy Halloween week to you!

I hope you're planning on celebrating by digging into some slimy pumpkin flesh... which is completely worth it, especially once you see your jack-o-lantern dazzlingly lit. Carving pumpkins has been my favorite part of Halloween for years, along with the candy, of course. How often do you have an excuse to be an "artist", to be very messy, and to show off your creation to the entire neighborhood? It's so much fun! Here's a little Pumpkin Carving 101 for those of you planning on providing a jack-o-lantern for your front porch this week. Your trick-or-treaters will appreciate your efforts, believe me!

Pumpkin Carving 101

1. Prep your workstation. Cover a large table (or the floor works, too) with newspaper. Grab your pumpkin. You'll want a trash can nearby for the pumpkin insides. Collect some tools: a sharp straight-edged knife, an ice cream scoop or large metal spoon, a sharp awl or t-pin, and a serrated metal saw- widely available in pumpkin carving kits. I bought a super simple kit with 3 basic tools and they did the job perfectly.

2. Cut a hole in the top of your pumpkin, large enough for you to be able to work inside. Because this will end up being the lid to your jack-o-lantern, cut at an angle so the outside diameter is a bit wider than the inside. This will ensure your lid won't fall into the pumpkin. I always like to make a little "tooth" in my lid so that I know exactly where it should fit back on. While cutting, keep part of the knife blade inserted in the pumpkin and use careful, steady saw strokes. Always carve away from yourself. Once you can remove the lid from the pumpkin, pull it out and cut off any stringy stuff.

3. Scoop out flesh, pulp, and seeds. Your hands will work well at first (note: kids love to get handfuls of the slimy stuff), but pretty soon you'll want to grab a large metal spoon or an ice cream scoop to finish scraping the sides free of stringy stuff. If you bought pumpkin carving tools, they may have included a serrated scoop for you. You'll also want to clear a flat spot for your candle at the pumpkin base, making sure not to dig too deep to prevent rotting.

4. Transfer your design. Tape a paper pattern to the pumpkin and trace (score) the design with a sharp awl or needle tool by poking holes through the pattern onto the pumpkin. Or, if you're feeling artsy, draw your own design right onto your pumpkin with a water-based marker.

5. Carve the features. Now you're ready to give your pumpkin a personality! While carving, start in the center of the design and work your way out, removing carved sections by carefully pushing them into or out of your pumpkin. A small serrated metal saw handles best for the majority of the carving work, but a large straight knife can be helpful for large sections or long lines. If you accidentally cut away a piece of your pumpkin that you didn't mean to, grab a toothpick to stick it back into place!

6. Light it up! A votive candle works great for the inside of your jack-o-lantern, just make sure it has a flat spot to sit on and the flame doesn't reach too close to the lid. Light the candle, replace your lid, and turn off the lights (or set it outside) to enjoy! You can help your carving stay fresher longer by coating the cut surfaces with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil (this locks in moisture) and covering it with a damp towel until showtime!