Ever Wish You Could Turn ANY Photo Into A Pumpkin-Carving Templet? With Pumpkin Masters...You Can

 I've wondered for years if something like this existed--a way to turn any photo into something you can slap on a pumpkin and carve away.

Turns out there is, and it only took a quick internet search to find it.

Today, I downloaded and used the Pumpkin Masters app. I found one of the most simple patterns you can imagine. In fact, I probably didn't even need the app.

I'll let you in on a little secret...

Most of the fun of this app is seeing what a finished pumpkin will look like with whatever photo you choose.

Now that you have literally unlimited carving possibilities, it becomes a question of what would you like to see on your Halloween jack-o-lantern. I was snapping pictures of everything from a skeleton mask to Halloween decorations, to our dog, to DVD covers. The app lets you either snap a picture or download one from your photo library. Then, you can see what it will look like on a pumpkin. Then, you just print the templet, tape it to a pumpkin, transfer the image, then carve away!

Some work really well--others, not so much. Of course, the technology is not perfect. Getting a good likeness of a person can be tricky. The skeleton mask looked good. The one of the dog (not included...) did not turn out.

My favorite? The Galaxy Quest DVD cover. How beautiful is that? It would be a pain to carve, though. Maybe next year.

I chose a simple pattern, a copy of the illuminated ghosts we have in front of the house, and considering the pumpkin I chose to carve this year was two inches thick, I think I chose wisely.

If you're interested in downloading the app, it's in the Apple and Google Play stores. Who knows? I might just pull up the app the rest of the year, just to see how things look...

Carved into a pumpkin.

Happy Birthday, Mom...First Time In A Long Time I Couldn't Visit Myself

When you move, there's a thousand things to remember. I think I knew this on some level, but it's still something I'm reminded of when there's something I forget. We did well remembering things like getting the utilities changed, the mail stopped, voter registration, drivers licenses changed, and it goes on and on...

Then, you remember something you did at your old home that was such a simple thing.

Halloween means many things. Personally, it's my favorite time of the year. The heat of summer dims and is cooled by the winds of autumn. It's also the season of my mother's birthday, this day--the 27th of October, in fact--is her birthday. Each year for at least the past couple of decades, I've carved a pumpkin and given it to her when she was with us, or placed it on her headstone after she left.

It was so easy when I lived close. I could carve the pumpkin and take it over in a matter of minutes.

That's changed. Now, I've got to do some planning.

My wife reminded me of the tradition. I remembered my mom's birthday--hard to forget since it's exactly one month from my own--and she also reminded me of the carving. Thankfully, my wife was driving her sister and brother-in-law to the airport today, so last night I carved a pumpkin and today my wife dropped it off.

Since we no longer live close, I may need to take the day off to continue the tradition. It's something I'm willing to do and do gladly. I just need to remember.

Remembering alone doesn't make something a tradition, but acting does. Glad I was reminded. Glad I could keep it going. Glad my mom and dad were able to adopt me and raise me as their son. Glad I know that wonderful person who was born almost ninety years ago today.

Happy birthday, mom. Sure do miss you.