Leafy Pumpkin

From Good Housekeeping

This leafy pumpkin from Good Housekeeping's seasonal decorating slideshow is so pretty!

Normally I don't go in for the more artsy pumpkin decorating ideas, even when I find them really lovely (no lacework pumpkins for me -- sorry, Martha).  I tend to be more of a straight-forward spooky face kinda girl.  But I really like this one. 

It would look nice, indoors, as well, so it wouldn't necessarily have to replace a more traditional  pumpkin on the front step.

If you're in a pumpkin state of mind, Good Housekeeping also has a fuller list of no-carving-required pumpkin ideas (the little ribbons are my favorite) and instructions for a pumpkin candy dish and pumpkin picture frame.

My Favorite Jack-o'-Lantern

Here is a picture of my favorite Jack-o'-lantern ever, which I carved a couple of years ago.

I hadn't even been planning to carve a pumpkin that year, but it just so happened that my friend Rachel had a spare one, a massive thing I promptly named Big Bertha.  Normally, I'm not too handy with a carving knife (so sleep easy, paranoiacs), but that year all the stars aligned to create what is, I must say, a beautiful Dia de los Muertos-inspired pumpkin.