Today we are interrupting the month December for a brief return to November. And the pumpkins.
More specifically, the stems of the pumpkins.
I wrestled with most of this bunch for one hour today.
Stem removal is not for the weak of hands.
I used big knives and little knives and was very careful not to slice through any parts of my own anatomy.
It wasn't easy. Surprisingly, the little pumpkins were very hard. I thought "big warty" was going to be really tough, but it ended up being one of the easier ones.
This stem below, which I really wanted the most, was exceedingly difficult.
It ended up breaking, despite my best efforts but I still have a large piece of it that may end up being usable. What can I say? You win some, you lose some.
In the end I have 8 stems we can work with to create our velvet pumpkins. I will be taking a full 800mg of ibuprofen before I go to bed tonight, so my hands will work tomorrow. Its very important for your hands to work well on Saturday. And Sunday too for that matter.
My goodness, quite a challenge indeed!!! Your velvet pumpkins will be beautiful though and very well worth all the effort I am sure! xx
Posted by: Amy at love made my home | 12/12/2015 at 04:46 AM
Since I'm just getting back to knitting after months of hand issues, I'll leave this to the stronger, younger folks. I'm surprised they don't sell "fake" stems for velvet pumpkin making! They make"fake" everything else.
Posted by: Joan | 12/12/2015 at 11:46 AM
Great stems! And a very cool post! Will you leave the stems as is? Or will you cut off some excess? Or will you let them dry out>
I'm probably not going to try it with my arthritic digits, but am fascinated and hope for a follow up!?
Posted by: jacki long | 12/12/2015 at 04:24 PM
Makes my joints ache just reading about it!
However on a more positive note, I made your pecan bars with the suggested assistance of King Arthur and they're awesome! Thanks xox
Posted by: Sharron | 12/12/2015 at 06:32 PM
Now you have all that delicious pumpkin to eat!! I keep my stems until I eat the pumpkin unless of course they start to go mouldy. Took me years to learn the art of drying gourds, seems stems is a similar science!!
Posted by: Bobby | 12/12/2015 at 08:49 PM