Kim McMahill

Have a happy Valentine’s Day. I hope you enjoy this special occasion with someone you love, and don’t forget to tell them how much they mean to you. 

Here are a Halloween pumpkin tips I’ve come across: ·         Use an ice-cream scoop to clean out your pumpkin instead of risking bending your favorite kitchen spoons. ·         Insert a bowl into a carved pumpkin and add dry ice and warm water to create an extra spooky, smoke filled jack-o’-lantern. ·         To make your pumpkin last longer, apply a light coat of petroleum jelly to the cuts to seal the wounds. And, after carving, place your Jack O’Lantern in a cool, dark place. It will spoil quicker if left at room temperature and may attract fruit flies, depending on where you live. ·         To revive a shriveled pumpkin try soaking it in a bucket of water. The most important Halloween tips are to have fun and be safe!

Here are some simple safety tips. They may seem obvious, but it’s always good to remind oneself prior to picking up that knife. ·         If using a pumpkin carving kit, choose one appropriate for your child's age and skill level. ·         Do not let a young child use a knife. ·         Always point knives away from you. ·         Keep your free hand away from the direction of the knife. ·         Use slicing motions and never force the knife. ·         When using candles to light a Jack O'Lantern, do not leave it unattended, or better yet, for indoor lighting, use battery operated pumpkin lights. 

The first step in creating the perfect Jack O’Lantern is selecting and preparing the pumpkin. When selecting pumpkins for carving, choose a lighter colored one with a nice stem and a carvable face. Lighter colored pumpkins are softer and carve easier, but unfortunately they don’t last as long. Clean the outside of the pumpkin with plain water and a sponge. Allow to dry. Store the pumpkin outside, or in a cool place, until you’re ready to carve it.  To start carving, cut open the top of the pumpkin and clean out the inside seeds and guts, being careful not to pull too hard on the stem as it breaks easily. Clean the inside of your Jack O'Lantern by scraping the inside wall to an inch thick. This will make carving a lot easier. 

The Christmas Journal by Kimberly B Jackson has been released just in time for the holidays. To get into the spirit of the season, check out this inspirational story by an accomplished Christmas storyteller, for just $0.99. For more on Kimberly, please visit her blog at http://www.kimberlybjackson.blogspot.com Ashley Moore’s life forever changed the day her mother died, and she was sent to live with relatives. Now, ten years later, Ashley returns home, hoping to connect with her estranged father. When she learns he’s decided to reopen the family’s Christmas lodge for the upcoming holiday season, Ashley volunteers to help. While cleaning, she discovers her mother’s journal detailing the last month of her life. Will the book hold the answer as to why her dad sent her away? Who is the mysterious Adam her mother keeps mentioning in the diary? Can the words of her mother reconcile father and daughter in time for Christmas?   Enjoy additional Christmas stories by Kimberly B. J...