Hogwarts

Some things bring me joy.
Harry Potter is one of them.
Winning contests is another.

Our apartment complex is having a jack-o-lantern contest tomorrow.
I'll be in Mesa all day because of an appointment and work.
So I carved the pumpkin today and Bret will display it on our porch tomorrow for the judging.

I decided to carve Hogwarts Castle.
Because I knew it would be as my brother would say
disgusting.
or, freaking awesome.

Here's my process:

My victim pumpkin. 4 bucks at Wal-Mart

I think it was cross-bred with a spaghetti squash. 

Really, I'm serious. The inside had the exact same texture. Annoying.

My weapons instruments. 

Yes, those are old dental instruments.

Don't worry, they're clean. And invaluable with carving details.

Sketched in my design with some dry-erase markers.

Easily wipes off.

Partway through the carving process

Sorry it's so dark.

And finally, the finished product.

Disgusting.

There's an HP carved backwards on the back of the pumpkin to achieve the cool spotlight effect.

 And only one casualty...

Think I'll win?