Pumpkin Carving Success

I have to start this post by telling you that you should read this first.  Last year I shared our evolution of pumpkin carving, which started with real thoughtful, time consuming carving, proceeded by drawing on our pumpkins with sharpies and ended last year with not even purchasing a pumpkin but just holding on up for a picture at the pumpkin patch.  

Basically it comes down to the fact that pumpkin carving is hard work and I'm lazy about it.  However, having a baby means stepping up our yearly traditions and no more faking it by just taking pictures.  (Okay, we could actually fake it since Addilyn won't remember but we won't get away with it for long).

So we decided to actually carve our pumpkins this year, motivated by the fact that I have always dreamed about putting my baby in a pumpkin.  But I was dreading the actual pumpkin carving part, which is why I was SO glad that I got a chance to try out the Pumpkin Masters Carving Kit, which you can buy at any local grocery store or Target or Walmart. 

I got a large amout of books and supplies to test out and I can honestly say that made a huge difference.  I knew we wouldn't have too long to carve our pumpkins, as Addilyn can only be entertained by watching us for so long.  Thankfully we managed to carve both our pumpkins in less than an hour.  

My least favorite part of pumpkin carving is the scooping out of all the disgusting goo and pumpkin insides. This tool made a world of difference as I could just scrap it all down to the bottom of the pumpkin and then pull it all out in just a few handfuls.  I also hate craving the top part and am afraid of using knives, but this kit comes with a little tool that makes it easy and safe for kids (or adults that are babies like me). 

The kit came with a lot of different design options and tools to help make them.  I picked this circle design and taped it to the pumpkin to outline part of it.  I then made Chris do the rest of the "hole punching" and I moved on to write Addi's name in the other pumpkin.  
There was this sweet razor tool that just took off the skin of the pumpkin so you could carve letters and designs.  I used this for the sides of the other one too.  

Clearly this is how you hold a razor for a picture.

Now I failed to get a good picture of this and am saving the lights for halloween but Pumpkin Masters has these flashing lights that you can put inside, which made our holey pumpkin look pretty sweet.  

Only one of our many tools broke (probably from Chris jamming it too hard in the pumpkin), which means we'll have all of these to use next year.  
And while my dream did come true of putting a baby in a pumpkin it took quite a few not so successful shots that are worth sharing. 

Pumpkin Masters is searching for the best carving talents and is giving away six prizes, including $5,000 for the best pumpkin.  Share a picture of your carving via instagram or twitter with #PumpkinMasters2013, submit via facebook or send an email to social@pumpkinmasters.com to enter.  View details: here.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Project 7

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Project 7 but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #chewforchange  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”

I am so excited to be part of bringing awareness to the company Project 7 because I love what they do and what they believe in.  Their mission is to make sure that everyone around the globe has access to the fundamental human needs for a healthy life.  They make everyday products like water, gum and coffee and then use the proceeds to work with nonprofit charities that help meet Project 7's seven needs: feed the hungry, heal the sick, hope for peach, house the homeless, quench the thirsty, save the earth and teach them well. 

Inspired by Project 7's mission to do good for others I wanted to make a meal for someone to make their life just a little easier.  I know what a blessing a meal is right after having a newborn.  We were blessed by family and friends with a handful of meals when Addilyn was born and it was so nice to not worry about what we would eat.  So for my meal I figured I'd pick someone who would appreciate it in the same way.  My friend Jen is due in a week and I thought it'd be nice for her to have a meal ready for whenever they needed it. I brought it over before the baby came and told her to put it in the freezer.

(Jen and I at my baby shower)

For my meal I decided to go with one of my favorites.  Chicken chili. Easy, delicious and a perfect fall meal. I actually shared this recipe quite awhile ago when I started blogging.  I don't think there is a better comforting meal than chili.  Especially when enjoyed on a cool, fall day.  I shopped for my ingredients at Meijer.  I actually made a batch for Chris and I too, which made it so easy to make a meal for someone else.  It was a reminder to me that doing something nice for someone else does not need to be an overwhelming task!  
Another easy way to do good for others is to simply purchase one of Project 7 products at a store that you already shop at, like Target or Meijer.  

I purchased ten packs of gum and started by giving one away to the cashier at Meijer.  He seemed a little confused when I told him to keep a pack of gum.  I told him a little about Project 7 and the lady behind me heard about their mission as well, so I gave her one too.   It was fun to share about such a neat company.  I gave him the SAVE gum, which plants 10 trees for every pack purchased.  I also purchased some of the FEED gum which feeds 7 meals to Americans for every pack purchased.   It fun to picture trees being planted or people being fed, just buy picking up a pack of gum.

To help spread the word about Project 7 I had seven more packs of gum to give to others.  I made little cards that said "Chew for Change" and attached them to the gum.  When I was out running errands the next day I handed them out to strangers and got to share with them a little about Project 7 and their mission. It was fun to bring a smile to others' faces.  And to know that doing something good is as simple as buying a pack of gum or giving one away. 
To learn more about this amazing company, check out the video below.  And make sure to follow Project 7 on facebook and twitter.  Next time you're in the check out line purchase a pack of this gum and know that you are helping to make a difference.  And better yet, buy one to give to someone else too.