The Jack O'Lantern legend goes back hundreds of years in Irish History. As the story goes, Stingy Jack was a miserable, old drunk who liked to play tricks on everyone: family, friends, his mother and even the Devil himself. One day, he tricked the Devil into climbing up an apple tree. Once the Devil climbed up the apple tree, Stingy Jack hurriedly placed crosses around the trunk of the tree. The Devil was then unable to get down the tree. Stingy Jack made the Devil promise him not to take his soul when he died. Once the devil promised not to take his soul, Stingy Jack removed the crosses and let the Devil down.
Many years later, when Jack finally died, he went to the pearly gates of Heaven and was told by Saint Peter that he was too mean and too cruel and had led a miserable and worthless life on earth. He was not allowed to enter heaven. He then went down to Hell and the Devil. The Devil kept his promise and would not allow him to enter Hell. Now Jack was scared and had nowhere to go but to wander about forever in the darkness between heaven and hell. He asked the Devil how he could leave as there was no light. The Devil tossed him an ember from the flames of Hell to help him light his way. Jack placed the ember in a hollowed out Turnip, one of his favorite foods which he always carried around with him whenever he could steal one. For that day onward, Stingy Jack roamed the earth without a resting place, lighting his way as he went with his "Jack O'Lantern".
Many years later, when Jack finally died, he went to the pearly gates of Heaven and was told by Saint Peter that he was too mean and too cruel and had led a miserable and worthless life on earth. He was not allowed to enter heaven. He then went down to Hell and the Devil. The Devil kept his promise and would not allow him to enter Hell. Now Jack was scared and had nowhere to go but to wander about forever in the darkness between heaven and hell. He asked the Devil how he could leave as there was no light. The Devil tossed him an ember from the flames of Hell to help him light his way. Jack placed the ember in a hollowed out Turnip, one of his favorite foods which he always carried around with him whenever he could steal one. For that day onward, Stingy Jack roamed the earth without a resting place, lighting his way as he went with his "Jack O'Lantern".
Sorry to anyone who actually took the time to read this story. I actually thought it would be more interesting, but by the time I finished researching it, I really had nothing else to post to go along with these awesome pictures. Shannon says that going to the pumpkin patch and picking out the pumpkins is her favorite tradition and I would have to agree, though right up there for me is carving the pumpkins and making pumpkin seeds. One of my memories as a kid was doing exactly that only Mom would make the seeds. The kids enjoy making their designs and carving them out and I am getting more elaborate each year. I leave it up to you to guess who carved which pumpkins.
Craig
3 comments:
Craig, the pumpkin makes the seeds, you just cook them. Always trying to get more credit. I must say though, you did a marvellous job of cooking them, they were delicious.
The photos don't do justice to the great job that the pumpkin carvers did. Bravo
Love to all
A big hand for the guest blogger. 3 cheers for you! I think you should take over the blogging full time. I'll add that to your TO DO list!
Love you
GREAT JOB TO THE PUMPKIN FACE MAKERS - THEY ALL LOOK GREAT!! I guessed which one you did Craig but by the looks of things, your boys will be catching up real quick and we won't know which one is yours! You are very creative!! If there was a pumpkin face making contest, you should consider entering it. We haven't cleaned out a pumpkin for many years and I can also remember doing it with you and Kelly but nearly as good looking pumpkins. The seeds were always the best part of all the work and there never seemed to be enough of them.
We walked to John and Alice's yesterday around 3:30 p.m. - it was beautiful here, no wind, sun shining - such a nice walk. We had a couple of glasses of wine (trying their new one they just made and we took a bottle of Green Apple) and walked to the Fall Supper which was only a couple of blocks away. The meal was delicious, we were stuffed and decided we needed to walk for awhile after supper. We went back to John & Alice's place and visited for abit and walked back home. We sure have been fortunate that the weather has cooperated for such a long time. Stan and I got up again this morning and walked down to Curves and Jim Barber met Stan and they continued on their walk and came back when I was done. It is a beautiful morning again this morning - we wouldn't mind this kind of weather way into December.
Haven't got too much planned for this week other than getting ready for Halloween (I just put up "5" decorations in the front area and set out the treats - ready for Wednesday - hope we don't eat them all before then!!
Mom's b'day is on Friday and we did have plans for us girls to take her to Medicine Hat Thursday, stay overnight and come home on Friday but Lionel & Jean and Jim & Roberta made plans to fly to Mexico and are leaving on Friday to fly out of Calgary on Saturday. So now we're not sure what we're doing. Linda said she was looking forward to going to Medicine Hat to shop so maybe mom, Linda and I will just go for the day.
I don't know if Dave and Lindsay have your e-mail or not but thought I would pass their news on to you - Hannah is going to be a big sister in May! Still lots of little ones to spoil around here - love it!!
Hope you're all having a great day - BIG HUGS TO ALL!
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