My Birthday is the day before Halloween, so I never knew if everyone was celebrating me, or just the occasion with such “pizazz”. Regardless, it has always made for a “drop in the bucket” when it comes to throwing entertaining and creative B-day Parties!

In my recent years, I have come to rather enjoy hosting pumpkin carving parties, especially for those who don’t have children (myself included) and tend to get excluded from or simply let the more juvenile  traditions of this season go by the wayside.

This year, back in July, we planted our own Pumpkin Patch with the intention to invite my B-day guests to come pick their own pumpkin from our own patch and carve their Jack-O-Lantern over Cocktails and Popcorn. Unfortunately, due to just barely surviving our most detrimental Drought here in Austin since the 1950′s, I don’t have enjough pumpkins to serve all of my guests…actually… I don’t have any, that will be ready, that is.

I do have two beautiful healthy baby pumpkins that are steadily taking their turn (from Green in color, to Orange). Though they wont be ready to carve by Halloween, we have had so much fun tracking their growth: from a buried seed in the ground, to the first sprout of leaf peaking through the dirt, to the monster it has become of giant leaves, strangling vines and blossomed flowers… Even more entertaining?!… Hunting for the pumpkins amidst the vines and actually finding out that one has grown!… and being able to say I have my own pumpkin patch! haha

I could very much see this becoming a fun and memorable tradition for children and adults alike! Though it did take some time to clear out the area, planting and tending to my pumpkin patch has been quite effortless, timelessly entertaining, and costing no more than the 10 cents I paid for my packet of seeds.

Next year you should try it! They say the best day to plant for the perfect Halloween Pumpkin is July 4th. I was a few weeks late on that deadline this year (we had a party to attend), but next year I will remind you all ahead of time so you may enjoy a patch of your own, as well!