My First Ever Jack O'Lantern (at age 38)

Okay, so at 38 years old I had never, EVER carved a pumpkin for Halloween. My excuse? Well when I was a kid in the UK, pumpkins weren't available in the stores. I do remember that my parents carved out turnips (or swedes) for Jack O' Lanterns when I was young but since I struggle trying to cut a turnip for cooking I never bothered to attempt carving one for halloween.

Well, this year I'm going to be in the USA for Halloween and my fiance decided to get a pumpin for me to carve. It's a little bit early yet but we figured I may need a practice run, lol. So, on Saturday afternoon I made my first attempt......

We bought a pumpkin carving kit with design templates - cheating a little but I figured that that was allowedfor a first attempt. It took a couple of hours to do even though it was a simple design, and boy did my hands ache when it was done!! I'm quite proud of it though - for a practice run.

The 4th July and some funny questions I have been asked.

I have been lucky enough to spend the last two 4th July's in the USA with my fiance, unfortunately circumstances this year may mean that I can't manage, time will tell. But thinking back on the memories causes me to smile, and sometimes have a giggle at questions I have been asked as a Scottish visitor to the US of A. Here are some of the questions (honestly!! and I have been asked them more than once!):

Q    "Do you have 4th July where you are from?"
A     Yes, and we also have 5th July, 6th July,.......

Q    "Do you celebrate 4th July in Holland?"
A     Well, Independance Day is actually a celebration of the United States of America gaining their  independance from rule by Great Britain (of which Scotland, where I come from, is a part) so no, we don't celebrate 4th July and I'm pretty sure that Holland don't celebrate it either.

Q     "So Scotland is part of England right?"
A     ~silence~

Q     "Do you have hillbillies/rednecks in Scotland?"
A1    Yes, we call them Aberdonians.
A2    Yes, we call them 'neds'.
(note, I may have to change my answer to this after reading up on the origins of the terms 'hillbilly' and 'redneck', see two posts down for more info.)

Q    "Do you have Christmas in Scotland?"
A     When I stop laughing, I usually point out that Christmas is (or should be) a Christian celebration and that Christianity is an almost worldwide religion, so yes, we celebrate Christmas too.

Anyway, I hope that gave you a giggle. Here are some fantastic zazzle products that celebrate 4th July for you to browse:

Happy 4th of July	Happy 4th July	Puppy and Flag
Fife and Drum Corps	Sweeping American Flag T-Shirt	Baby's First 4th of July
4th of July Postage Stamps	Liberty Postage Stamp	Eagle 4th July Postage
Red, white and denim Invitation	Stars & Stripes Angel	4th of July Party Invitations