Ha ha - I just put an ad on craigslist yesterday asking for old carved pumpkins (since I get volunteers from seeds I don't do the whole gourd) - I said what I was using it for, and listed 4 streets as a kind of boundary for what I am willing to drive around in my neighborhood. I have had 2 replies - one was for the next town over (maybe they figured I might be over there) and one is 2 blocks away) - it is kind of fun - putting your local area description on ads is helpful because people know you are a real person. And I am sure anyone who read my ad got a chuckle that I am collecting pumpkins! Rachel

When I was a kid no one on the block had more than one pumpkin, why did you need more. Now many folks have five to ten pumpkins in the 'burbs. Progress.

Last year I spread out a large tarp in the backyard. Let the neighborhood kids throw them up in the air and splatter on the tarp. Saved my cutting them up. And released a little of the destructive energy that kids have.

Fun!
A couple years ago I hit the jackpot -- went hiking and found a big used pumpkin stash right next to the parking lot with 5 or 6 pumpkins just thrown there. My husband thought I was crazy for wanting to bring them home, but what a great addition to the heap!

La-di-da-di-da-di-da. Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm. Oh-de-do-de-do-de-do.

I've been busting, just busting, for this to come up.

No, never mind, I don't want to sound like a braggart.

Year in, year out.

Collecting pumpkins is more fun when you are just going around doing it. I used to get them from the fields in half moon bay. After the pumpkin festival, they put them out to rot and so I collect them. If I find a smashed one I always take that also. We don't live a friendly place. No one speaks to their neighbors. It is the adventure of the unknown surprise find that makes composting fun.

If you know your neighbors and like them, have a pumpkin smashing party. You can secretly go around and collect the smashed pumpkins under the guise of cleaning up. I just found this when I was searching for more ways to get pumpkins after Halloween.

Here is a link that might be useful: wiki how to have a pumpkin smashing party

Oh, a Pumpkin Smashing Party would be so much fun! A huge bonfire, apple cider punch in a hollowed out pumpkin, weiner roast and s'mores and a hot Autumn soup and mini pizzas. Something to plan next fall.

I can visualize throwing Jack-O-Lanterns off the deck onto a tarp then building a compost pile with them nearby! Only drawback here this year is that it's snowing and probably all the JOL's are gone.

Over the years I've noticed people have built old-style catapults for pitching huge pumpkins and pianos. The local news shows can't resist a 30 second story of this kind. Appeals to the child in all of us.

La di da di da

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(Can you see my pumpkin picture?)

OK Annpat, you asked for it.

I borrowed the neighborhood catapult, and we're loading up the prize winning 777 pound pumpkin. Looking at GoogleEarthBackyard, you appear within the catapult range of 888 miles. Send us your compost pile GPS so we don't destroy your house by accident.

Oh heck. Neighbor tells me the catapult has just been seized under National Command Authority Act. Those drones just don't have any deniablity any more, more discrete means are necessary.

Oh my gosh. Neighbor tell me the *** just knocked down a 737 with a pumpkin by accident. Practise does not make perfection. FAA was most unhappy.

Anyway, we got the catapult back. Now what did you say your compost pile GPS was?

Now show us your frozen snowblower!

;-)

Lloyd

P.S. And your socks, don't forget your socks.

P.P.S. Nice gourds!!

I'm actually kind of excited by the prospect, Robert. I'm N 44-41-37-6... Waidaminute, has this thing had any successful, non-house flattening, launchings?

Llloyd, don't you DARE post any of your pumpkins pictures! You completely sucked the wind out of my sails last year.

And b.) Those aren't my socks! Well, they are now. They're great socks. I don't know why Jen is so ashamed of them. {{gwi:316859}}

Okay, so all my life lessons come the hard way...
For Llloyd:
This picture from the winter I had to shovel my driveway for several weeks while I figured things out:

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LOL...I don't know if I got any pumpkins this year. All the loads from the last three weeks are sitting in the field. It was too wet to do anything with them when I got them and now we just got a foot of snow. I'll find out next spring. In the meantime, I just have to be jealous of yours. (Those chickens look pretty darn healthy too.)

Lloyd

You know pumpkin theory varies from year to year. About three years ago, 80% of the pumpkins I brought home had faces painted on them! Snort! Paint on a pumpkin!! Just how lazy and unfun can you be!! Last year was a carved year and this year---it's unbelievable---almost none of the pumpkins are carved or painted. Just plain pumpkins. I don't know what to make of it. I did bring home one beautifully carved pumpkin, which I put in my window box facing my bedroom window and lit it up with a candle. I wish the person who carved it and then took it to the dump could know how much I'm enjoying it.

My chickens love Halloween. Love it!

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