Did you take a good look at the picture by the heading of this article? Pretty funny, I thought.

The pumpkins are in the pumpkin patches, and children, grandchildren, neighbors children, and I are all getting ready to pick out a good one, carve it up, and put it out on our door-step.

So, when the time comes, here is what you need to do. There are some great ideas here, along with 2 good recipes that you can use for the seeds you will be scooping out! Now, where is the hot cocoa?

1. Good carving starts with the right pumpkin. Choose one that is fresh (with a sturdy stem and no bruises) and that has a flat bottom (so it won't roll).

2. Cut out the lid — a boning knife works best. Cut on an angle (not straight up and down), so the lid won't drop inside the pumpkin when you replace it.

3. Remove the pulp. You can buy a special "claw," but an ice cream scoop will do. Thin the inner wall of the "face" area to 1 1/4-inch thick, so it will be easier to pierce the shell.

4. When you're ready to carve the features, hold the pumpkin in your lap so it's gazing up at you. Don't cut on a slant; clean up-and-down slices look best. To make intricate designs, try using a small saw.

5. Make a tongue out of a discarded piece of pumpkin shell.

6. Keep your pumpkin fresh. Spread petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in moisture. If your pumpkin still shrivels a few days later, revive it with a facedown soak in cold water for up to eight hours.

7. If you like to leave the lid on while the candle is lit, create a chimney. First, leave the lid on for a few minutes while the candle burns, then make a small hole where the lid has blackened.

8. Sprinkle a little cinnamon inside the lid. When you light the candle, your jack-o'-lantern will smell like a pumpkin pie.

General Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipe

1 1/2 cups raw whole pumpkin seeds
2 teaspoons butter, melted
1 pinch salt

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
2. Toss seeds in a bowl with the melted butter and salt. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; stir occasionally.