With Halloween quickly approaching, the most common decoration is a bright orange pumpkin sitting out on doorsteps. Whether it’s a trip to Wal-mart or a stop at the local pumpkin patch, having a pumpkin for Halloween is not only a great tradition, but can create some great bonding time between friends and family as the pumpkins are used to decorate or cook with. Here are four ways to use pumpkins to spice up the Halloween festivities:

1. Homemade pumpkin bars are a delicious treat, and they are really simple to make. Here’s the recipe my family uses:

Ingredients:
* 1-1/2 cups pumpkin pie filling
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 cup Canola oil
* 4 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting

Directions
- In a big bowl, beat the pumpkin, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Then put the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a separate bowl; gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Pecans can be added if desired.

- Pour into a greased 11 x 9 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Check if the bars are done by sticking a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, the bars are done. Let the bars cool and then begin frosting.


2. Not in the mood to make something sweet? Roasted pumpkin seeds are also a tasty treat.
Items Needed:
- One pumpkin (medium sized)
- Salt (as desired)
- Olive oil

Directions:
First, carve off the top of the pumpkin. Using a spoon, scoop out the insides and place on wax paper or tray. Then separate the seeds from the stringy orange pumpkin insides and rinse the seeds.

After the seeds are rinsed, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
As the oven is heating place the seeds in 2 cups of water for every half cup of seeds in a small saucepan. Also add a tablespoon of salt for every cup of water. Let it come to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Take the mixture from the stove and drain the remaining liquid.
After draining, take the olive oil and spread it on the bottom of a cookie sheet. Put the seeds out flat on the cookie sheet and then place in the oven. Bake for 10 to 20 minutes or until the seeds are golden brown. Then, remove the seeds from the oven, let them cool and then enjoy.

3. Carving the actual pumpkin is lots of fun too.

Tools:
- Pumpkin
- knife or carving kit
- newspaper
- spoon
- bowl
- candle

Directions:
First lay out the newspaper on a hard flat surface. Place the pumpkin on the newspaper. Then take the knife and cut off the top of the pumpkin, but be sure to add curves while cutting so the top can be replaced easier. Next take the spoon and scrape out the insides. Put the insides in a bowl. After all the insides have been scraped use the knife or carving kit to create a design on the pumpkin. After the design is cut, place a small tea light candle into the pumpkin. Light the candle, replace the top of the pumpkin and enjoy the festive decoration.

4. If you’re not comfortable using a knife, it’s just as fun to paint the pumpkin.

Tools:
- any brand of school supply paint
- paint brush
- pumpkin (usually the small sized pumpkins look the cutest, but larger pumpkins can be used.)

Directions:
First lay out all of the supplies. Clean of the pumpkin with a damp rag and dry the surface of the pumpkin. Taking the paint and paint brushes add a cute or scary face. This project is simple, but enjoyable.

Each of these projects are sure to make for a delicious and creative way to spend the upcoming Halloween season and can be enjoyed by family and friends.

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