Carving Pictures

Beth sketches the design...










... and we tape it to the pumpkin.










Notice how she's not "Bessie" any longer? It's just "the pumpkin".










Carving continues through the early afternoon.

Despite the smell.

Pumpkin Pie...

Every day -- For the next 17 months.








As we cut her open from the back -

Ouch, is that liquid nastiness about to pour out?







Yep, that's liquid nastiness.

It didn't smell so awful, but still way high on the nasty-meter.

Am I sad to see Bessie go?

No, I really have no remorse. When it's your time, there's not much you can do, and Bessie is ready to meet her destiny. She's lived her life waiting for this next week.

But I'll always remember her fondly... the first time is always special!


For old time's sake... a baby picture... she was so sweet and angelic when she was little!

Here's to you, Mr. Humongous Pumpkin Grower Guy!

Budweiser actually made a commercial about the pumpkins we all love, and the men who grow them. You can listen to this classic here:

http://www.husnain.com/budlight/genius/Bud%20Light%20-%20Real%20Men%20of%20Genius%20-%20Mr.%20Humongous%20Pumpkin%20Grower%20Guy.mp3

And also a big thank-you to Bessie's new professional-artist-turned-carver, Beth! Carving is this Friday so we'll have some pictures up soon.

Bessie is Getting Old.

I think she turned 4 months old today - that's about 13 in dog years. That's a picture of her rotten spot and the Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale she's so fond of these days.









Pictures of Erin, Elana, and Leah, posing with the neighbor's dog.

Saturday, October 28th - Carving Day

Here are some example carvings I can dream about. Being a little more realistic, using one of those carving templates is probably the way to go. Anyway, check out these pictures!

Moving Day was a success!

A big thanks to Bill, Andy, Mads, Andrew, Tom, and the Blue Moon Brewing Co. - the makers of Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale!





Off she goes! Andrew pushes from behind, while Tom and Andy try to avoid being "squashed".








Andrew managed not to be "gourd", but this is exhausting work! (Actually it was amazingly easy.)








Tom prepares the scales for the big moment, and...









Andy shows off his pumkpin-movin' style.

The crucial moment is here! What will the scale reveal???











350 Pounds!

I'm crushed. That is truly lame.

Sure, Bessie has been dehydrating in the yard for the last 2 months. And she's been leaking fluid out of a rotten place on her bottom.

But this cannot be happening...




Whew! Bessie wasn't on the scale right! A careful remeasurement says:

All 447 pounds of Bessie are now renamed as the

447 Hatcher '06




That's Eli and Erin posing above.

Bessie's next big day is Sunday, October 29th - Carving Day.

(Example carvings and other pictures will be posted Tuesday.)

October 15th - Moving Day

Ok, it's time to finally move Bessie, and weigh what's left of her. Maybe we'll start the carving if things get crazy. There will surely be beer involved, and food too.

If you want to help or just hang out, please let me know or just show up. I mean, if you're bothering to read my blog, you're welcome!

The AJC (the Atlanta newpaper) is going to come do a story on Bessie when she gets carved.