Rainy Day Project

If you live in Seattle you may find yourself defensive about rain. When people write Seattle off as a place where everyday is a gloomy, soggy mess it's upsetting! But we still have to face the facts...it does get a little drippy in the winter. That being said Seattlites are all the more creative because of our days inside. We own some of most fun, unique umbrellas and galoshes. And last year when "wellies" were all the rage, we were the only ones who could legitimately wear them. When the season changes and you find yourself staring at a 10 day forecast with the same rainy/cloud stamped next to every day, it's time to find some fun indoor projects. I present ... Rainy Day Project #1 : Refinish A Coffee Table (Or Other Piece of Furniture). I started with a coffee table we got from friends. I didn't hate the stain but it did have a lot of nicks and scratches on it. And I could have stood to have it a little lighter. Here's the coffee table before: I took it down to Owen's parents and used an electric sander to take off the finish and smooth out any dents. Then used a completely clear finish to make sure people could put drinks on it or whatever without me worrying about coasters. Here's the finished product:

Metropolitan Pumpkin Carvings

(more pictures)

Owen and I carved pumpkins on Sunday. We had wanted to go to a pumpkin patch to get our pumpkins... but the halftime of a Seahawks game doesn't really give you much time. So we went over to Metropolitan Market like the good Seattle yuppies we are. They have a nice display, that sorta feels like a pumpkin patch. At least more than Safeway, which is like picking out a pumpkin on the side of the road. I'm not that patient with projects like this, or more accurately I think that in 5 minutes I should be enough of a pro to whip up a pumpkin masterpiece. Owen has a different approach. He planned his out and sat in complete concentration carving his long after I was done. So I'm sure you can tell which one is mine and which one is Owen's.

I like knowing why these odd traditions start. I mean, why are we carving pumpkins every Halloween? The Legend of Stingy Jack! That's why. Basically Stingy Jack tricked the devil one too many times, and after he died wasn't allowed into Heaven and the devil wouldn't let him into Hell. Instead, the devil banished him to walk the earth with only a coal to light the way. Stingy Jack carved out a turnip and put the coal in it (of course).

Then once people made this story up, they wanted to keep Stingy Jack away. So they would carve beets, turnips and eventually, in America, pumpkins, then put them in their windows with candles lit inside to keep Stingy Jack out. This is why we call them Jack O'Lanterns. It seems to me that Jack O'Lanterns would entice Jack more than anything... but I guess logic isn't supposed to be a huge part of this story.

After reading this I hope that maybe our pumpkin carving will serve a purpose. See I'm convinced that our apartment is haunted. I hear tapping in the kitchen, and shuffling in the hallways. When I told Owen about these noises all he said was, "so you think these ghosts are making sandwiches?" I don't know. Maybe it's just the apartment settling into fall weather. I'd prefer to think that spirits are fixing themselves late night snacks. If the ghost I'm dealing with is Stingy Jack, or another ghost who dislikes gourds with candles inside, I may be able to keep them out of my kitchen for awhile. We'll see.

Metropolitan Market Pumpkins
Prices: It was $7.00 for our two big pumpkins.
Location and hours: Check out their site.