Pumpkin Carving Fun!

Ricci Pumpkins 2009

Our holidays officially begin two days before Halloween with the Annual Pumpkin Carving Party at Bob and Toni's. I love Halloween decorations, spooky treats and especically pumpkin carving, and this party has it all. Toni and my mom have been best friends for years, so we have been going for as long as I can remember and it's the one party of the year I don't miss. In fact, thanks to this party, my mom and Rod reconnected and were married 5 years ago October 16th. Toni also made all the food at my wedding ceremony so her, Bob and the pumpkin party all really mean a lot to The Heim/Brown/Ricci clan.

Mom and Toni

Toni and Bob really are the best hosts and their home is a perfect place to have a party. They make sure no one goes hungry or thirsty by making three different types of soup and providing tons of appetizers, snacks, desserts and drinks. After everyone is stuffed from their amazing food, we all head out to the garage where they have tons of tables set up, a gutting station and every pumpkin tool and design you could ever need or want. Being with lots of family and friends is the best way to carve pumpkins, and having everything you need makes even the most untalented people, like me, great pumpkin carvers.

Look at all that yummy food!

Pumpkin Carving Central!Dessert, MMM...The best part about husbands, not having to gut your own pumpkins anymore.Mah Be and IRyan and Rod, Ryan really was happy to be there, not so happy to take a picture :)Nate, Zach and ColeSally Brown

Cheeseball-in up! Working Hard!Look at that talent!Nate's Madhatter that my mom swears looks like Grandma SeegmillerMy mom's Britney. Sorry, it's hard to take pictures of lit pumpkins.About 3/4 of the pumpkins that were carved! I did decide to contribute this year and tried my hand at "witch finger" cookies. They were a hit and are a good adult treat because they aren't too sugary. I think I needed to make them skinnier and longer though, because they looked a little fat.

This is what they were supposed to look like:

This is what they ended up looking like: (P.S. food photography is HARD!)

Oh well, you have to start somewhere right? Anyway, here is the recipe in case you want to make them next year. It's a huge pain to dye the fingernails but otherwise they are super easy to make and definitely a recipe worth saving.

1-1/4 cups PLANTERS Sliced Almonds, divided
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups flour

HEAT oven to 325ºF.
RESERVE 60 nuts for later use; process remaining nuts in food processor until finely ground. Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar, extract and salt in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in flour. Stir in ground nuts. (Dough will be stiff.)
ROLL dough into 60 (3-inch) "fingers," using 1 Tbsp. dough for each. Place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets sprayed with cooking spray. Press 1 of the reserved nuts into dough in 1 end of each finger for the fingernail. Use sharp knife to make 3 crosswise slits in top of each finger for the knuckles.

BAKE 15 to 20 min. or until lightly browned. Cool 3 min. on baking sheet; carefully transfer to wire racks. Cool completely.

We had a great time again this year and every year it just keeps getting bigger and better. Thanks Toni and Bob for the great party and Happy belated Halloween every one! Hope it was great! Now bring on Turkey DAY!!!!