When Carving Pumpkins Becomes a Multi-Cultural Experience
As multi-cultural as our world is today, it’s easy to forget that people have vastly different customs and traditions in different parts of the planet. We were reminded of these differences when it came time to carve our Halloween Jack-o-lanterns at Grandpa Jim and Grandma Brenda’s Washington home. They have two high-school exchange students this year, one from China and one from Brazil, and neither boy had any idea what the whole pumpkin-carving thing was about. They were willing to get involved, though, and we had great fun learning from each other!
Alexandria was very excited to make a “vampire” pumpkin and busily sketched her ideas on newspaper. Grandpa Jim (my dad) helped the kids cut open their pumpkins and each of them busily scooped out the inside. The exchange students thought this part was so gross. “This never ends!” each boy bemoaned. I think they thought it was a weird holiday tradition. Brazilian exchange student Bruno asked my mom if he could search the internet for ideas for a pumpkin face. He found a super-complicated design. My dad warned him he’d need specialized tools to successfully create his design, but Bruno opted to try it with a knife. It didn’t exactly work out… but he had fun and it was a great experience with a common American Halloween tradition!
Chinese Exchange student “Little Jim” took his design slower and drew a dragon face and flames on his pumpkin. It was a simple design and turned out well. Alex and her cousins learned a lot and shared what they knew about the holiday as well. We talked about what pumpkins are used for in different countries. Little Jim said that while they don’t carve pumpkins where he’s from, pumpkin seeds are sold in traditional Chinese markets.
Not only was it special to carve pumpkins with Grandma and Grandpa, but it was a learning experience as well. We were able to relate to and bond with the exchange students over a common project. Alex liked both boys very much. She and Little Jim were able to relate well despite the language barrier. One evening, she and Little Jim were playing on the couch. She played a sonnet on her piano Ipad app and he would try to complete his Rubix Cube before she finished. Very little language involved, but lots of fun. She also liked playing ball with Bruno, who has a little sister just her age back home in Brazil.
I’m so glad that my parents got such great boys. Their nearly empty home is no longer quiet, but instead full of laughter and funny stories. Perhaps when the kids are older we’ll host an exchange student of our own. It was a great experience for me when I was a high-school exchange student in France. It’s amazing what we can learn from one another. Something as simple as carving jack-o-lanterns can be a new and exciting experience. I hope Alex remembers it for years to come.
Alex draws a "Vampire" Face on Her Pumpkin
Grandpa Jim Helps Alex Make a Vampire Mouth
Grandpa Jim Helps Anthony Too
Alex Scoops Out The Insides Like a Pro
Sis-in-Law Ashley and Cousin Emily Clean Out Their Pumpkin
My neice Emily and I work on a pumpkin.... I was bundled up because it was cold!
My brother Kent and Emily
My dad and his exchange students, Bruno and Jim
Brazilian Exchange Student Bruno and His Jack-o-Lantern
Alex's Jack-o-Lantern
Our Halloween Pumpkins Light Up the Night
Over the River and Through the Woods To Grandmother’s House We Go
Alex and Great-Grandma Bonnie
So many of my childhood memories revolve around my Grandma Bonnie’s little house in the prairie. I remember how big her house seemed and the tins of cookies she always kept in the kitchen, full of surgery deliciousness and jelly filled confections. I remember eating the scraps of the wedding cakes she baked and looking forward to her traditional Norwegian lefsa every holiday season. Grandma’s house has always been one full of delicious baking, enticing scents, and warm hugs.
Every time we trek across the country and visit home, Grandma Bonnie’s house is one of the first places we visit. It no longer seems so big, but it’s still just as magical. Grandma still has a plate of fresh cookies waiting for us and lots of hugs.
Now Alexandria is making her own memories at her Great-Grandmother’s house. She loved the cookies and always scouts out the delicate glass jars full of seasonal candy on the coffee table. She loves exploring the house and playing with the toys and books waiting for visits like hers. At home, Alex keeps her cards from her Great-Grandma Bonnie in a special box in her room. Still, cards don’t make up for a Grandma hug and a cuddly lap to sit on.
Mom: “Alex, why do you like to visit Great-Grandma Bonnie’s house?”
Alex: “Cause I like her. I like her curly white hair and her blue eyes like mine. She’s really nice and likes to see me.”
Mom: “What do you like most?”
Alex: “I like her hugs. I like to eat her candy and cookies too.”
Mom: “What do you like to do at her house?”
Alex: “I like to play with toys. She always has fun new toys. I like snuggling her sometimes and I like visiting. I love my Great-Grandma.”
My kids are so fortunate to get to know their Great-Grandparents. There are two Great-Grandma’s left and they have lived such amazing lives. My husband never even got to know his grandparents, let alone his great-grandparents. I don’t think we’ll ever tire of listening to their stories. My Grandma Bonnie in particular makes my life look boring, she’s been through and done so much! She outlived three husbands, worked and supported her children as a single mother in a time when that was practically unheard of, traveled the world, and continues to be actively involved in her church and community. I think she’s even busier than I am! I can only hope to be as happy, active, and involved when I’m her age!
I hope we get orders much closer to Washington this time around so we can visit our elders much more often. We miss out on too much when we’re this far away. I’d gladly give up the beaches and warm weather to let the kids develop strong, memorably relationships with their Grandparents and Great-Grandparents. Florida is lovely… but memories at Grandma (and Great-Grandma!)’s house last a lifetime.
Great-Grandma Bonnie and Alex, Oct. 2011
Cousin Anthony
Cousin Anthony and Great-Grandma Bonnie
Great-Grandma Bonnie, October 2011
Cousin Emily Cheeses it Up
Alex’s First Trip To A Real, Honest-To-God-Pumpkin-Patch!
Living in Florida does have its drawbacks. Sure, the weather is gorgeous most of the year and we live not too far from the beach. What’s missing, you ask? Pumpkin patches. Real, honest-to-God pumpkin patches. Sure, there are partitioned-off areas at local churches where you can buy pumpkins and even some neat corn mazes. Some even sell pumpkins. But… I miss the pumpkin patches I grew up with. You know, the ones where you have to walk way out into a farmer’s field and pick the perfect, bulbous orange masterpiece straight from the vine. I have yet to find one in Florida.
Last week we took an unexpected trip up to visit Grandma and Grandpa Sarkkinen in Washington State. On our second-to-last day in town, we stopped by a real pumpkin patch. It was a nice chance for the kids to get out and stretch their legs after days of visiting relatives. We stopped by Velvet Acres Gardens at 18905 NE 83rd Street in Vancouver, Washington. They were one of the few pumpkin patches open to the public during the week, and we were short on time.
Velvet Acres is a relatively small farm, but it’s big on Fall Fun. They have a petting zoo, hay-bale tunnels for kids to climb through, and a field full of pumpkins just waiting to be picked. Alex and her cousins had a blast petting the pony, cows, and goats. Alex begged to go for a pony ride. Maybe next time!
The best part of all was lugging the sturdy red wagon out through the farmer’s field to find the perfect pumpkin. Alex ran and skipped through the mud and hay, checking and touching at least a dozen pumpkins before deciding on a 22 pound behemoth. She rolled it to the wagon and I helped her pick it up. She was so proud of her pumpkin and couldn’t wait to get back to Grandma and Grandpa’s house to carve it! At 18 cents a pound, it was an awesome deal too.
We had an amazing afternoon out in the crisp October breeze. We were snug in our sweaters and left covered in hay and mud. I definitely don’t recommend wearing ballet flats to a real pumpkin patch! I have definitely lived in the city for too long to make that faux pas. 
Alex’s first trip to a real, honest-to-God pumpkin patch was a roaring success. I hope we can go to one next year too. Farm life, pumpkins, and a little bit of dirt are what Fall is all about.
Alex at Velvet Acres Gardens
She couldn't get enough of the pony! Like Mama, Like Daughter
Hay bales are so much fun to climb!
My sis-in-law Ashley and Niece Emily
Baby Emily loved the animals!
Mommy and Alex
This one looks good!
Cousin Anthony loved the pumpkin patch!
Look at our pumpkins!
Alex really wanted to bring the pony home
Alex and Mommy
What do you mean, it’s not always 80 degrees in the Fall? Washington vs. Florida Fall
Fall in Washington State is a far cry different from fall in Florida. I miss the seasons a lot. Cool crisp air, sweaters, hot tea, and brightly colored leaves put me in the mood to celebrate. That’s what I grew up with. Alex has never experienced Washington in the Fall, so this trip to see Grandma and Grandpa was a real treat for her.
Here are 5 ways in which Fall is different in Washington than in Florida:
1. It’s not 80 degrees. You can actually wear sweaters, pants, and.. gasp!… socks without sweating your butt off! It was so chilly in the mornings (27 degrees one day!) that we had to go buy sweaters! I love sweaters. They simply symbolize Fall to me. Plus I love a reason to go shopping for cute new sweaters.
2. The apples are crisp and delicious. I love Red Delicious apples, but by the time they get down to Florida they are mushy and kind of gross. Not so in Washington, the apple state! My dad picks up farm-fresh apples at the farmer’s market and they are amazing. There are even apple orchards where you can pick your own apples!
3. The leaves change colors! Everywhere we looked, the leaves were dazzling shades of red, orange, and yellow. They fell gracefully from the trees and graced every surface. Here in Florida, most trees still have their leaves. When they do fall, they are brown. It’s just not the same. As a side note, leaf-piles in both states are equally as good at making little girls filthy and grass-stained from head to toe.
4. They have real pumpkin patches! In Florida, a pumpkin patch is a fenced-off area at a church with a selection of pumpkins on the ground. In Washington, we went to a farm and trudged out to a field with a wagon to choose our pumpkin from a vine. There was mud! There were cows! Ballet flats were probably not the best choice to wear to the pumpkin patch… I’ve seriously been away for too long.
5. You can curl up with a blanket and hot cider and not feel weird about it! It’s just not the same getting “warm and cozy” when it’s hot and sunny. In Washington, we piled on the blankets to sleep and warmed our hands with mugs of hot drinks. Sigh. Heaven.
Fall in Washington clearly win… at least to me. Although.. it was nice to go home and not have to wear socks.
Alex loved making piles of leaves to jump in
Cousin Anthony was a great playmate for Alex
Fall is a beautiful time of year
