Saturday, October 22, 2016

Caturday Art: Pumpkin Head

Today, our contribution for Athena's always anticipated Caturday Art blog hop was extra of fun for this here human to create. Why? Because it stems from a tradition that goes way back to when she was a kid.

For as long as I can remember, my family has had a life-size scarecrow that we put up on stakes in the front yard for Halloween. When I moved out to my new house, my parents let me take it with me. He's not a pre-assembled scarecrow, but instead has to be built each year, and I love it. He's been wearing the same pair of overalls and plaid shirt for roughly an eternity. They must have made clothes a lot hardier back in the day, because aside from some serious fading, they're still doing pretty darn good.

When I was a kid, we'd make the scarecrow's face out of fabric and the like. Then, a few years back, we got one of those giant light-up pumpkin heads for our lamppost. That's when we started building the scarecrow around the lamppost itself, with the glowing pumpkin as its head.

This probably all seems pretty insignificant to most people. I mean, honestly, it's just a decoration. But, I won't even lie, I've always had a fondness for this scarecrow. He is one of my absolute favorite decorations to put up each year.

Do you see where I'm going with this? Well, today's prompt for JNW's Halloween Challenge is decorations. As soon as I read this prompt, I knew exactly what I wanted to draw.


Want to see the real deal? Well, you're in luck (thanks to my photographer of a sister, that is).

Mr. Pumpkin Head is too tall for the lamppost, so he's been retired to a chair. 
He doesn't seem to mind.


 Have a fun and fantastic Caturday, everybuddy!



***
Our Tip of the Day:
We've talked before about the benefits of pumpkin for dogs and cats. Did you know, though, that even the seeds of a pumpkin can serve as a beneficial treat for your furbaby? The seeds contain all sorts of nutrients, such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids and oils. They offer a plethora of health benefits that include fighting off cancer and keeping the skin and coat happy and healthy. What's more, pumpkin seeds contain cucurbitin, an amino acid that can potentially serve as a natural de-wormer. For this benefit, some people will crush up pumpkin seeds into a powder, which can be sprinkled onto food, and of which roughly 1 teaspoon three times a day is often the recommended amount. Otherwise, pumpkin seeds can be given raw, or, for more palatability, can be lightly coated with cooking oil and roasted in the oven for a few minutes. Your furbaby may very well find this a delectable treat! But please don't overdue it, as not only do you want to avoid weight gain, but it's also important that your furbaby not receive an overabundance of some of the nutrients that pumpkins and their seeds have to offer.

16 comments:

Peaches and Paprika said...

O Mi Cod, it gets better and better! Please let us know which of your stupendous Halloween graphics you'd like to choose to be in our slideshow! Loving them all!

Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat said...

Incredible drawing!

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

We love Mr. Pumpkin Head and we adore the drawing of the cats climbing over the scarecrow.

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

We love your pumpkin-head! Both the real thing and your wonderful drawing! :)

Anonymous said...

Your drawing is just purrfect, we always love to see it. It's amazing! Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend :) <3

Marg said...

We love that pumpkin head decoration. That is just terrific. And a great drawing too. You all have a great day.

Kitties Blue said...

Very interesting about pumpkin seeds. Thanks so much for this info. Childhood memories are best no matter what triggers them. I like your scarecrow, but I like your drawing better with the whole gang included. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

I like your scarecrow, and I love your drawing!

Cathy Keisha said...

We didn't know about pumpkin seeds. I'd have thought they'd be too big for me since cats swallow things whole. Maybe TW can powder them. Love your scarecrow art and the real thing. TW's fave Christmas and Easter decorations are the ones that have been in her family for decades, even before she was born.

pilch92 said...

Thank you for showing us your scarecrow, he is adorable. I love scarecrows too, we have one out year round, he has a painted wooden head and we change his clothes about once a year ( they fade). My hubby and I used to do a fundraiser at the church fair that I came up with- building a scarecrow. I love the scarecrow art, very cute. I didn't know about pumpkin seeds, but I just roasted some 2 days ago so I will try to crumble them to see if anyone will eat them. We grow a special kind of pumpkin called Godiva, it has seeds that don't have the shells.

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

What a sweet tradition! These are the things that means the most to us as we get older, aren't they?

meowmeowmans said...

Aw, we love your Mr. Pumpkinhead tradition. He's looking great in your front yard! And the drawing of your furbabies climbing on him? LOVE it!

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Great art once again!

I had no idea pumpkin seeds were good for pets, just that they had great health benefits for humans. I like to eat them, I even buy pumpkin butter because as a vegan I need the nutrients and it's a good source of protein.

I just assumed that like many human foods pumpkin seeds weren't suitable for cats.

sprinkles said...

I love that you rebuild the scarecrow each year, what a fun tradition!

The Island Cats said...

We love Mr. Pumpkin Head!

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

loved both the real pumpkin head and your illustration! Oh we have been fans of pumpkin for our boys for ages. Cody ALWAYS has pumpkin when he takes Pred. He had a blockage once and we learned the hard way, so whenever there is Pred, there is pumpkin!