extreme pumpkin carving

1. A good carving pumpkin should be firm and healthy. Ideally you want one with a shell that is hard enough to protect it, but still allows you to get a knife through.

2. Test to see if your pumpkin has a good, balanced base to sit on so it doesn't roll over.

3. Check the pumpkin for soft spots and dark bruises. Once a pumpkin starts to rot, it goes downhill pretty quickly, and even a tiny nick is enough to let infection in. Don't forget to check the bottom of the pumpkin, where it's been resting on the cold, damp ground.

Your jack-o'-lantern will start to dry and shrivel as soon as it is cut and exposed to the air. If you need to carve your pumpkin a few days before you'll be displaying it, try these tips to keep it fresh longer:

- Keep it in a cool spot, out of direct sunlight.

- Spray it with an anti-transpirant, like Wilt-Pruf.

- Drape the entire pumpkin with a damp towel.

- Protect it from animals that might be tempted to take a bite.

- Don't leave it outdoors if there's a threat of frost.

When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
'tis near Halloween.
- Author Unknown