The Great Blaze and Pictures of my Funkins

It’s no secret that I just love Halloween and I was thrilled to attend the third annual Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze held at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. It’s truly an extravaganza with more than 4,000 individually hand-carved and illuminated pumpkins on display. Michael Natiello is Blaze’s creative director and he, with the help of about 15 others, designed and carved out all the pumpkins.

Dating back to the 18-century, Van Cortlandt Manor has been completely restored and is open to the public year round. Visitors can experience what it was like to live back then, as costumed guides demonstrate crafts and tasks of that period, such as brick-making, blacksmithing, weaving, and candle-making. Michael feels that at night the Manor’s riverside landscape becomes spooky and mysterious -- the perfect setting for this event. And with all the eerie music and sound effects, I could not agree more. 

Watch exclusive video from the Great Blaze!

I went on Saturday night, this picture from www.activityholidaysguide.com  gives you an idea what I saw!

Are these pumpkins real? Some are, but many of them are actually Funkins made from polyurethane foam. Funkins are becoming quite popular because, like a real pumpkin, you can carve a Funkin without the mess of seeds and pulp. And if you do carve a masterpiece, you can save it to use again next year.

I am sure many of you are wondering about the origins of the Jack-o’-lanterns, they have always been true symbols of Halloween, but just how did this tradition of carving pumpkins come about? Quite interestingly, it can be traced back to the very origins of Halloween itself. The ancient Celts of northern Europe recognized only two seasons and at the end of summer, they celebrated their harvest with a festival. The Celts believed that on this night, spirits both good and bad roamed the earth. People dressed up as ghouls and ghosts in order to blend in with the real ones. For added protection, wine and tasty treats were set out to keep the spirits happy. And the people led parades out of town in the hope of luring evil spirits away from their homes.

Meanwhile, Druid priests build elaborate hilltop bonfires to encourage the sun to return at the end of winter. These fires were thought to bring good fortune, and families would rebuild the fires in their hearths with embers from the Druid’s fire. They carried the burning embers in hollowed-out turnips, which had scary faces carved into them to fend off any spirits they might encounter on their way home. These were the very first Jack-o’-lanterns, later replaced, of course, by pumpkins, squashes, and gourds. Happy Halloween to all!

Here are some funkin Jack-o’-lantern decorations at my house (I took these on Friday last week)

Tomorrow I'll post a few pictures of Halloween decorations in my home. I will also give you some great tips on baking pumpkin seeds!

Comments

[Jane M]

Nice blog. Just not that into Halloween. I'm quite the baker, crafter, knitter -- just was never that into the holiday. Now ask me about Thanksgiving -- forgettaboutit!

[Amy]

Hi Martha!
Wow, so many great designs! I bought 2 Funkins last night and I'm keeping my fingers crossed my hubby will carve them for me! If not, I'll be using some of the great templates on your site I'm sure.
A great idea for them is these little tealights that run on battery! I got them at Michael's yesterday and they even look like a tealight and are supposed to flicker! I can hardly wait to use them!
Happy Halloween!!!

[Trish]

Hi Martha,
Again, great pictures; so professional looking! I love the way the pumpkins look on the fence and thanks for the origin of the Jack-o'-Lantern lesson. I learned something new today.

I am still salivating over Pierre's vegetable-filled pumpkin, (yum!), and am looking forward to seeing your inside-the-house-decorations. I love that you are blogging every day and "sharing" with us.
Trish

[Sheena]

Hello Martha,
This is the first time I have read your blog and I enjoyed it greatly - thank you. We are having our very own Halloween party tomorrow night for my children Josh and Iona and all their friends, and are very excited, so the beautiful photos of your ofwn creations have been inspiring. We are in Edinburgh - a very beautiful city to live in, and wonerful in the autumn! Thank you again, I shall keep reading!

Regards,

Sheena

[Corry]

Martha~

My daughter and I caught you on Big Idea last night, and as usual, you were fabulous! I came to your site for the first time today, and am delighted with it. I will be a very frequent visitor, for sure. I wish I had just one hundredth of your creativity and style.. (I'm style challenged, but not complaining).
I want so badly for my daughter to appreciate the homemade things, decorating ideas, and goodies you make and bake. I've tried needle point, knitting, crafting, but most things turn out like an eight year old made them. (No offense to eight year olds!) I'm just not that crafty. I WISH I could be like you. Thank you for being a wonderful example to us!
Can't wait to see Rosie on your show!!!

Very sincerely,

Corry

[Joseph]

Hi Martha,
I love the new blog.I love that you update almost daily!! I cant wait to see pictures of your home!!You are such an inspiration!

[BeachMama]

Hi Martha,
I just love your blog. It is almost like watching your older shows. As much as I enjoy your new one I still love and miss your older ones.

Your first photo with your funkins at night is amazing. I do have to ask though, where on earth do you store everything? I can barely store the few decorations that I do have, I couldn't imagine all those funkins :).

[Stef in Seattle]

Hi Martha,

I watched this great Bad things, Good things special on the fine living channel that went into great detail on this wonderful pumpkin display. My kids were glued to the TV!! They were so thrilled and I was quite impressed!

Thanks so much for sharing this!

Kind Regards,
Stef

[Deb Schiff]

Hi Martha,

I'm so glad you're doing a blog! It seems like a natural progression given your publishing acumen. Great photos, too. Thanks for always reminding folks that the holidays provide a great way to gather family and friends for very tasty food and good conversation.

[scoopy (Emily)]

Wow - 4000 pumpkins would be amazing to see! Your funkins are great - I need to try one of those next year.

[Gena M Harakal]

Martha, I certainly love the blog. It is great to hear from you personally on various subjects. I love the behind the scenes look that these blogs offer. I was very disappointed in your Newsletter. It was a great piece of written media, but I was disturbed that it had such a costly subscription rate. Keep up the great work. You help to make the world a beautiful place. gmh

[Sue Mannel]

I cannot wait to see tomorrow's show. I wait for this one ALL year!

Happy Halloween and have fun if you get all those little trick or treaters at your house!

[Ollie]

Martha!

I love that you are doing a blog, your life is so interesting. It always looks like you have alot going on, meeting lots of people and attending events. Good thing you've got that new hip!!

I love all the recipes and craft ideas on marthastewart.com and in the magazines for halloween. I'm from New Zealand, where we don't celebrate this holiday. Seems a shame as it looks like a good excuse for alot of fun!!!

Happy Halloween

Ollie

[.....nan]

Martha -- I was on your message board when San Francisco felt "quite" an earthquake. Not that powerful but incredibly lengthy. You are a true comfort always...!

[Lisa Brown]

Martha, you are like a gift that keeps on giving. I love your blog. You have a way of making all of us feel like we are you new best friend, and I love your donkeys. Too cute!!!

Happy Halloween,

Lisa Brown

[Terry Fest]

Dear Martha: We are moving from our home in Ca to a ranch in Oregon. Since this was my last Halloween in our home 32 years, your show encouraged me and I carved my first pumpkin with the tools I purchased from your collection at Macy's. My what fun. I decorated and enjoyed the 500 children. My husband and girls always did the pumpkins. Grandchildren have now entered the picture and we still have fun.